Maven VCTs invest £2.5 million in Rockar

Maven has made a £2.5 million investment in Rockar, an innovative motor retailer which is revolutionising the car buying experience. The investment will enable Rockar to partner with more major automotive manufacturers following its initial success with Hyundai, launch more digital stores in high footfall shopping centres and continue to develop its innovative technology platform. 

Rockar was established in 2012 with the aim of changing the car buying experience. The result is a disruptive new retail proposition where customers have access to all the services of a traditional dealership online, or at one of Rockar’s digital stores (currently located in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent and the Westfield Shopping Centre, East London). 

This unique and engaging store design lets the customer browse the vehicles as they wish and is supported by pioneering in-store digital content which provides information about the cars and helps explain the purchasing process. In-store commissioned sales staff have been replaced by ‘Angels’, who are simply there to help. The stores have created a convenient place for customers to view cars at their leisure without the pressure to buy. 

Rockar has also developed an online solution which helps car manufacturers digitalise their traditional route to market. The car market is one of the few not to have fully embraced online retailing to date. While consumers will typically undertake significant research online as part of the buying process, there is still the requirement to visit the physical showroom to negotiate a deal and complete the purchase. Rockar’s ‘Buy Button’ technology enables the consumer to complete the entire purchase online, including options for part-exchange and finance. 

The Rockar team is led by Simon Dixon who has significant experience in the car industry, having helped build the Dixon Motor Group PLC for 20 years, before selling it to RBS in 2002 for £110 million.

Simon Dixon, Chairman at Rockar, said: “Following on from the success we have achieved to date, which has seen over half a million people visit our ground-breaking stores and experience our unique online retail platform, this investment is the latest endorsement of the Rockar proposition.  

From the outset we have aimed to revolutionise the car-buying experience. Customers have proven the appetite for our service and now we have car manufacturers actively seeking to partner with Rockar to help them build their online retail presence, so it’s great to bring on board Maven to help develop this offering. Our investors share the same vision for our business and will help us deliver the service to a range of other leading car brands in the coming months."

Ryan Bevington, Investment Director at Maven, added: “Maven is a proud backer of innovative British businesses and Rockar’s management team has achieved impressive results in a relatively short period of time. The car industry is one of the few remaining retail sectors that has not yet embraced e-commerce or adapted to changing consumer trends. As a disruptor, Rockar is successfully challenging the traditional route to market and creating a compelling solution for modern consumer habits.”