April 26, 2012 AUTOMOBILE INFORMATION INDUSTRY M&A

There have been six automobile deals within the Information Industry thus far in 2012. For comparative purposes, there were only two such transactions in the fourth quarter of 2011. A few weeks ago, Epicor Software Corporation acquired Internet AutoParts. This transaction has positioned Epicor as a leader in B2B and e-commerce solutions for the automobile aftermarket.

Notably, eBay was one of six acquirers in the first quarter. With the intention of strengthening its Motoros business, eBay announced back in February that it was acquiring WHI Solutions, a company providing web based services to the transportation market. 

Furthermore, two financially sponsored acquisitions have occurred within the space this year. In addition to Epicor, which is a portfolio of Apax Partners, ISIS Equity Partners acquired Autologic Diagnostics. Autologic, a supplier of software and diagnostic tools to independent garages, had an acquisition price of $72 million.