Who Makes CarID Auto Parts?

CarID, commonly known by its website name CARiD.com, does not manufacture auto parts. It is an online retailer founded in 2008 by Roman Gerashenko and Steven Royzenshteyn that sells parts and accessories sourced from thousands of outside brands.

The company is headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey, and today operates as a subsidiary of ID Auto Inc., following a 2024 ownership change after its former parent company filed for bankruptcy.

CARiD built its catalog around a light asset business model, partnering with vendors and distributor networks rather than owning large warehouses full of inventory.

Knowing this ownership history helps shoppers understand recent changes behind the CarID name and what to expect from the company today.

This guide covers who owns CarID, its founding story, bankruptcy and ownership change, product range, and how it compares to other online parts and accessory retailers.

So lets get started.

Who Owns CarID

CarID, operating under the brand CARiD.com, is currently owned by ID Auto Inc., a company established in 2024 following a major ownership change.

The business was originally founded in 2008 by Roman Gerashenko and Steven Royzenshteyn as a light asset online retailer of auto parts and accessories.

In 2020, the company merged with Legacy Acquisition Corp and became publicly traded under the parent name Parts iD, Inc., trading under the ticker symbol ID.

Parts iD filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2023, and in 2024 Fifth Star Inc. acquired a majority stake through a 35 million dollar investment, establishing ID Auto Inc. as the new operating entity.

CarID Company History And Bankruptcy

CARiD.com grew significantly after its 2008 founding, eventually offering approximately 17 million individual parts and accessories across nearly 5,500 brands.

The company expanded aggressively, including growing its tire installation network to more than 7,270 locations by early 2022, and investing in AI based vehicle fitment technology.

Despite this growth, the publicly traded parent company Parts iD filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2023, citing financial difficulties.

The 2024 investment from Fifth Star Inc. gave the business a path forward under new ownership as ID Auto Inc., allowing CARiD.com to continue operating.

What Does CarID Actually Sell

CarID sells a very wide catalog of auto parts and accessories, including performance parts, interior and exterior accessories, wheels, tires and maintenance components.

The company’s light asset model means it relies heavily on partnerships with outside vendors and distributor networks rather than manufacturing or warehousing everything itself.

This approach lets CarID offer thousands of brands across millions of individual products without the overhead of owning every piece of inventory.

Similar vendor partnership models are used by other large online auto parts retailers, including the one covered in our Where Are SKP Auto Parts Made guide.

Where Do CarID Products Come From

Because CarID operates as a marketplace style retailer, the parts and accessories it sells are manufactured by thousands of different outside brands rather than by CarID itself.

Country of origin varies significantly depending on the specific brand and product category, since CarID’s vendor network spans both domestic and international manufacturers.

This distributed sourcing approach mirrors the strategy used by competitors covered in our Where Are A Premium Auto Parts Made guide, where the retailer focuses on logistics and sales rather than production.

CarID’s technology investments, including AI based fitment tools, are aimed at helping shoppers navigate this large multi brand catalog more accurately.

Is CarID Really Good or Worth It

CarID has operated since 2008, giving it a long track record in the online auto parts and accessories market despite its recent ownership changes.

The 2023 bankruptcy of its former parent company was a significant event, though the 2024 investment from Fifth Star Inc. provided a path for continued operations under ID Auto Inc.

Customer experience can vary given the marketplace style model, since product quality and shipping depend heavily on the specific vendor fulfilling an order.

For shoppers looking for a wide selection of accessories and specialty parts, CarID is generally considered a useful resource, though it is worth confirming current order and return policies given the recent corporate changes.

CarID Compared to Other Online Parts Retailers

CarID competes with other large online auto parts and accessory retailers such as CarParts.com and Parts Geek, though it leans more heavily toward accessories, wheels and performance products.

Unlike retailers that own several of their own manufactured brands, CarID relies primarily on outside vendor partnerships across its huge catalog of brands.

CarID’s recent bankruptcy and ownership change under Fifth Star Inc. sets it apart from more financially stable competitors in the space.

This history is worth knowing for shoppers deciding between CarID and other established online auto parts retailers.

CarID Technology And Fitment Tools

CarID has invested in AI based vehicle fitment technology designed to help customers find parts and accessories compatible with their specific vehicle.

This technology is particularly useful given the size of CarID’s catalog, which spans millions of products across thousands of brands.

The company also built out a large tire installation network, expanding to more than 7,270 partner locations at its peak, to support tire and wheel purchases made through the site.

These technology and service investments were central to CarID’s growth strategy before its 2023 bankruptcy and subsequent ownership change.

CarID Ownership Timeline Explained

Understanding CarID’s ownership history helps explain why the company looks different today than it did just a few years ago, according to the CARiD.com entry on Wikipedia.

The 2020 merger with Legacy Acquisition Corp took the business public, exposing it to stock market pressures that a private company would not have faced.

Coverage of the 2024 Fifth Star Inc. investment and the CarID revival following its parent company’s bankruptcy is detailed in this citybiz report on CarID’s recovery.

This series of ownership changes, from founder led startup to public company to bankruptcy to private investment, is unusual even by online retail standards.

What Changed For CarID Customers After The Ownership Shift

For most everyday shoppers, the core CarID website and catalog have continued operating largely as before, despite the corporate ownership changes behind the scenes.

Order processing, vendor partnerships and the AI fitment tools built up over the years remained part of the business as it transitioned to ID Auto Inc. ownership.

Customers with pending orders or warranty claims during the 2023 bankruptcy period may have experienced some delays as the company restructured.

Since the 2024 investment, CarID has continued operating as an active online retailer under its new ownership structure.

CarID Warranty and Customer Support

Warranty coverage for CarID purchases depends on the specific vendor and brand, since the company operates as a marketplace rather than manufacturing its own products.

Customer support can be reached through the official CarID website, which includes order tracking and return request tools.

Because CarID recently changed ownership, confirming current support policies and processing times directly with the company is a reasonable precaution before placing a large order.

As with any marketplace style retailer, reading vendor specific return and warranty terms before purchasing helps avoid confusion later.

Frequently Asked Questions About CarID Auto Parts

Who Makes CarID Auto Parts

CarID does not manufacture parts. It is an online marketplace style retailer, now owned by ID Auto Inc., that sources parts and accessories from thousands of outside brands.

Who Founded CarID

CarID, operating as CARiD.com, was founded in 2008 by Roman Gerashenko and Steven Royzenshteyn.

Did CarID Go Through Bankruptcy

Yes, CarID’s former parent company, Parts iD, Inc., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2023, before Fifth Star Inc. acquired a majority stake in 2024.

Is CarID A Good Auto Parts Retailer

CarID is generally considered a useful resource for accessories and specialty parts, though its recent ownership change is worth reviewing before placing a large order.