Shift Launches in Los Angeles to Give Residents a Better Way to Buy or Sell a Car

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 26, 2015) - Shift Technologies, Inc. today opened in Los Angeles, bringing convenience, value and simplicity to the process of buying and selling a car. LA is Shift's first strategic market outside the San Francisco Bay Area.

Starting today, Los Angeles-based car buyers and sellers seeking a better alternative to Craigslist, dealerships and other online services now have access to Shift's car inventory and full array of services through the website. The company's "white glove" customer service operation is disrupting the traditional used car market, which is rife with inefficiencies and pushy sales tactics. The company raised $23.8 million last fall led by DFJ and Highland Capital and has since seen 25x growth in pursuit of the massive marketplace potential.

"The used car market is a $750 billion market, and until now it's operated the same way it always has -- it's inconvenient, unpleasant and opaque," said Shift CEO George Arison. "Our approach is different than that of dealerships, or traditional peer-to-peer marketplaces that leave the customer on their own. Our technology platform allows us to operate much more efficiently, which means buyers and sellers benefit financially, and also get a great experience. Over the past year, we've worked to test and perfect our service in San Francisco, and we're now thrilled to open the doors in Los Angeles, the city that put car culture on the map."

In a world where lodging, meals, errands and transportation are just a finger tap away, the process of buying or selling a car is still frustrating and highly time consuming. Shift alleviates these pain points, not with an outdated physical or online dealership model, but through a peer-to-peer marketplace that additionally gives consumers an exceptional customer experience, and a better value than elsewhere.

Shift's concierge service for buyers and sellers includes on-demand test drives, appraisals and management along every stage of the consumer process. Overall, the average seller gets thousands more from Shift than from a standard trade-in, and buyers get a car for thousands less than the dealership retail price.

As part of the expansion to Southern California, Shift has opened a 'Hub,' or independently run center that stores inventory and supports a regional team of Car Enthusiasts in Commerce, CA. Shift's operations will service the greater Los Angeles area, as far north as Malibu and as south as Orange County. Shift expects its LA team to be upward of 50 people within the next six months.

"Los Angeles is filled with car owners and commuters; car ownership is a necessary part of life. That's why it's the perfect next market for Shift's marketplace and concierge service," said Minnie Ingersoll, COO of Shift. "Today, our Hub is up and running in the LA area, with available cars and Car Enthusiasts on-demand for those looking for a hassle-free way to buy or sell a car."

For more information about Shift and its current offerings in Los Angeles and San Francisco, visit driveshift.com. You can follow Shift on Twitter @driveshift.

About Shift
Shift Technologies, Inc. is a San Francisco-based company re-thinking the experience of car ownership. The company has created a new kind of peer-to-peer marketplace that takes the hassle and guesswork out of buying or selling a car. From getting the car ready for sale to managing inquiries and handling test drives, Shift saves sellers time while helping them to secure the best price for their car. Buyers have access to Shift's fleet of knowledgeable Car Enthusiasts who deliver on-demand test drives and white glove service without any pushy sales tactics. Plus, Shift's 150-point inspection and seven-day money back guarantee help you purchase with confidence. Shift is financed by DFJ, Highland Capital and others.