The automotive service “Avto.ru,” which is part of the “Yandex” structure, may be transferred to a new owner. According to expert estimates, the asset is valued at 20–25 billion rubles.
- “Yandex” purchased “Avto.ru” in 2014 for $175 million. Since then, the portal has become one of the key players in the Russian car classifieds market. According to the company’s own data, in the third quarter, 43% of all cars sold in the country were listed through the service.
Who Might Buy “Avto.ru”
Sources report that “Yandex” is considering the possibility of selling “Avto.ru,” including related projects such as “Avto.ru Business,” “eCredit,” “Avto.ru Otsenka,” and other services. Among the potential buyers mentioned are “Sber,” T-Bank, and “Avito.” The deal could be structured through a consortium of investors.
- A source close to “Sber” stated that the bank is not considering purchasing the service. Another source noted that discussions about the sale are indeed taking place in the market, but credit institutions have not yet shown interest in the asset.
Market Position and Audience
According to a report for the third quarter of 2025, the monthly audience of “Avto.ru” grew by 40% compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, data from Similarweb shows that the service was visited 44 million times in November. This is 13% less than in October.
- “Avto.ru” was launched in 1996 as an internet forum. In 2014, the asset was transferred to “Yandex” from the Swiss company Immerbereit.
Valuation and Investor Interest
It was noted that “Avto.ru” became the first federal car classifieds service in Russia. Unlike “Drom,” which developed in the Far East, this project was initially formed in the central part of the country.
- The asset was valued at 2.5–5.5 times EBITDA. The most likely buyers are considered to be large ecosystems and banks that are part of them.
- The value of “Avto.ru” was estimated at 20–25 billion rubles. This was based on an EBITDA of 2–3 billion rubles and a multiplier ranging from 6–7 to 10. The service could be of interest to major banks due to its extensive customer base, as well as to Wildberries, which is actively expanding its own ecosystem.
Avto.ru
“Avto.ru” is not a traditional cultural or historical site, but a major Russian online automotive marketplace founded in 1996. It serves as a digital platform for buying and selling vehicles, reflecting the growth of internet commerce in post-Soviet Russia. While it lacks a historical narrative in the conventional sense, its longevity makes it a significant part of Russia’s modern digital and consumer culture.
Yandex
Yandex is a Russian multinational technology company, best known as the country’s leading internet search engine, often called “Russia’s Google.” Founded in 1997, it grew rapidly by developing services tailored to the Russian language and local market, expanding into areas like maps, ride-hailing, and e-commerce. While not a physical cultural site, it has become a central part of daily digital life and technological culture in Russia and neighboring regions.
Sber
“Sber” refers to Sberbank, Russia’s largest and oldest state-owned banking and financial services company. It was founded in 1841 by a decree of Emperor Nicholas I as state savings banks to serve the general public. Today, it is a major financial institution deeply integrated into the country’s economy and history.
T-Bank
“T-Bank” is not a widely recognized specific cultural site or historical place. It is most commonly associated with **T Bank**, a South Korean digital bank established in 2023 as a joint venture between major financial and tech companies. Therefore, it lacks a long historical narrative and is primarily a modern financial institution rather than a traditional cultural landmark.
Avito
“Avito” does not refer to a specific historical place or cultural site. It is the name of a popular online classified advertisements platform, founded in Russia in 1998, which operates similarly to Craigslist. Therefore, it has no architectural history or cultural significance as a physical location.
Drom
“Drom” is a common place name in Ireland, derived from the Irish word “druim,” meaning “ridge” or “back.” It most famously refers to the **Rock of Cashel (Carraig Phadraig)** in County Tipperary, a historic fortress and ecclesiastical site. Once the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster, it was gifted to the Church in the 12th century and became a major religious center, with its iconic medieval buildings including a round tower, cathedral, and Cormac’s Chapel.
Wildberries
“Wildberries” is a major Russian online retailer, founded in 2004 by Tatyana Bakalchuk. It began as a mail-order company selling clothing and has since grown into one of the largest e-commerce platforms in Eastern Europe, known for its vast logistics network and wide range of consumer goods.
Immerbereit
“Immerbereit” does not correspond to a widely recognized historical place or cultural site. It is a German word meaning “always ready,” and it is sometimes used as a motto or name for organizations, locations (like a pub or a street), or military units. Without a specific context, it is not possible to provide a historical summary of a singular cultural site by that name.