The Ontario Motor Vehicle Industry Council has appointed Dan Park, CEO of Canadian online used-car retailer Clutch, to its Industry Advisory Council, an addition Clutch said provides “a modern, technology-driven perspective … at a pivotal moment for the automotive industry.”

In a news release, Park said digital innovation and consumer demand for transparency are reshaping how cars are bought and sold.

“Canadian car shoppers now expect to buy their next vehicle as easily as any other online purchase,” he said. “Today, virtually every used-car transaction is online in some form, whether it begins or ends digitally.

“Clutch’s mission to deliver the most transparent, customer-centric buying and selling experience aligns well with OMVIC’s mandate to protect consumers and uphold fairness in the marketplace. As buyer behavior continues to evolve, the regulations that safeguard them must keep pace, and I’m honored to help support that progress as a member of OMVIC’s Industry Advisory Council.”

The company said Park’s presence on OMVIC’s advisory council illustrates Clutch’s commitment to “shaping the future of vehicle sales amid evolving consumer expectations.”

Clutch, founded in 2016, offers an end-to-end online platform that the company said allows customers to browse, finance, insure and receive delivery of vehicles at home, and provides a 10-day money-back guarantee and 210-point inspection.

“Buying a vehicle is the second-largest purchase most Ontarians will make,” Park said. “As new business models emerge, it’s essential that we provide consumers with the same level of protection and clarity they’ve come to expect, no matter how they choose to buy.”

West Coast facility signals plan to expand sales to BC

Clutch is back in British Columbia.

The online retailer has reopened its West Coast facility in Richmond, B.C., calling it “a significant milestone” in its plans for national expansion.

In a news release, Clutch said the return to the location it previously operated from 2021 to 2023 will support its vehicle acquisition operations in B.C. The company said its growing acquisition efforts have surpassed $1 billion in vehicles purchased directly from Canadians, with more than $3 million worth of vehicles added every day.

The Richmond facility, which company called “a key investment,” will serve as Clutch’s operational headquarters for B.C., powering its vehicle inspection and logistics capabilities in the province.

“Opening this new facility in Richmond represents a major step forward in our vision for Clutch and a clear sign of how far we’ve come,” Park said. “Our goal has always been to make buying and selling vehicles simpler and more transparent for all Canadians, and this expansion brings us closer to delivering that promise from coast to coast.”

Clutch, based in Toronto, currently provides buy and sell services in Ontario and Nova Scotia, while British Columbia residents can sell their vehicles to Clutch but cannot purchase one. The company said the addition of the Richmond location “paves the way for Clutch to bring its full end-to-end buying and selling experience to the province in the near future.”

The 30,500-square-foot facility will serve as a base for transportation, storage and operational support across the Lower Mainland and beyond, as well as an inspection and reconditioning center. Clutch said it is capable of supporting the company’s goal for a staff of more than 1,000 employees company-wide over the next 2 years.