CarNow hires ex-DirecTV, Cars.com exec as new CEO

A former Cars.com and DirecTV executive has joined auto industry digital retail technology provider CarNow as its new CEO.

Kayne Grau also will serve as a board member. His mandate is to grow the company's customer base, boost industry partnerships and accelerate product innovation, CarNow said. Grau replaces founder Andy Park, who remains a stockholder but is no longer active with the company on a daily basis, according to a spokesperson.

Grau's "proven ability to foster innovation and drive smart growth — plus his past executive experience across e-commerce and online marketplaces — makes him an ideal fit as we enter the next chapter of CarNow's evolution," Michael Brown, general partner at CarNow investor Battery Ventures, said in a statement.

Grau previously held executive positions at DirecTV, Apartments.com and eToys. He also was once vice president of technology at dealership technology company Cars.com. Grau most recently served as CEO of Uptake, a company whose software helps predict asset failure and mitigate catastrophic risk, among other things, according to the company.

In addition, Grau co-founded Drivin, a startup later sold to Openlane in 2017 whose data and technology platforms helped dealer partners acquire, deliver and market used cars.

CarNow, of Atlanta, launched in 2014 and employs roughly 220 people. It has raised $55 million in venture capital financing to date, including $30 million in 2021 and $10 million in 2019 from Battery Park Ventures, the spokesperson said. The company said it has 5,000 dealership customers and more than 20 manufacturer certifications.