Yamaha invests in Indian used two-wheeler platform CredR

Bangalore-based CredR (Incredible Technologies Private) used two-wheeler platform has raised Rs 48.1 crore ($ 6.5 million) in its latest round led by Yamaha Motors, existing investors Omidyar Network India, Eight Roads Ventures, with participation from automotive focused Astarc Ventures.

The company creates an omnichannel buying experience, through a chain of flagship showrooms across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, NCR and Rajasthan. The latest funding will be used towards consolidating its market position, strengthening its technology platform and expanding customer offerings.

CredR was founded in 2015 and is working on formalising the unorganised and fragmented used two-wheeler market, with over 100,000 dealers across India. The company estimates that the used two-wheeler market in the country accounts for over 30 million annualised units, the challenges around standardisation of pricing, strong quality inspection and customer experience, and most notably post-sales support persist. It aims to solve the existing trust deficit in the category through its full-stack vertically-integrated business model empowered with technology.

Since its launch, the company says it has enabled sales of 300,000 used two-wheeler on its platform. On its online platform, customers can discover and book a used two-wheeler of their choice. They can then complete the test ride and the final transaction by visiting their nearest CredR showroom. CredR also offers home test rides and contactless home deliveries of their used two-wheelers. This focus on customer experience and offering has helped make it one of the best loved two-wheeler consumer brands in the country.

Sasidhar Nandigam, co-founder, CredR said, “Our partnership with Yamaha Motors validates our shared vision to provide customers the best option to buy / sell used two-wheelers. They are a name to be reckoned with in the global mobility sphere. The funds raised in this round would help us to go deeper into existing markets and provide world class customer experience empowered with technology. We are excited to partner with Yamaha Motors in our journey to build India’s first used two-wheeler consumer brand. Yamaha Motors’ comprehensive understanding and experience in the two-wheeler mobility segment aligns with our first-to-market business model. The pandemic has catalysed the already existing demand for affordable private mobility in India, and these funds will allow us to scale rapidly and fulfil this demand.”

Hajime Aota, senior general manager of New Venture Business Development & R&D Strategy Section, Technical Research & Development Center, Yamaha Motor said, “India is one of the biggest mobility markets in the world and the personal freedom that motorcycles and scooters bring, is a huge and lasting benefit for this country’s people, regardless of whether they are new or used. CredR’s clear vision behind its thriving used two-wheeler business resonated with us, and we decided to invest in the company to help their business scale bigger, which will subsequently lead to a higher quality of life for India’s people.”

Aditya Misra, principal, Omidyar Network India said, “We first invested in CredR in 2019 and are doubling down because we continue to believe that two-wheelers are the choice of transportation as much in the top 30 cities in India as the rest of the country. The pandemic has accelerated the need for affordable private ownership especially among the next half billion. We find CredR’s customer-centric technology first mindset applied to their O2O (online to offline) model to be a massive advantage that can go a long way in enhancing trust for consumers.”

Kavish Kothari, principal, Eight Roads Ventures said, “The pandemic has caused a significant shift in consumer behaviour when it comes to mobility. Consumers today are considering owning their own vehicle to feel safer. The pre-owned two-wheeler market stands to benefit as consumers seek more economical options from organised players in the market. With their value-for-money options, contactless service and delivery and partnerships with credible OEMs, CredR is well positioned to revolutionise the pre-owned two-wheeler market in India.”

The company says due to the economic situation created by the pandemic, consumers looking for vehicles are increasingly inclined to purchasing personal two-wheelers. CredR will look to use these tailwinds and its latest funding round to expand its business, invest in technology and leverage the fast-growing market for used two-wheelers.