Carflow

Business innovation

Tech development

Driving Automotive Innovation

Background

Carflow was designed and built to be a complete solution for marketing, sales and stock management for auto dealers. With Carflow, Wildstream wanted to create a platform that would allow car brands, dealers and buyers to connect, to share information about products, and to manage their purchases. The solution has now been incorporated into the offering of MotorK, a European leader in digital solutions for automotive distribution.

The challenge

Carflow began as a response to a pressing issue faced by car dealerships: managing and publishing inventory across multiple platforms. Initially developed by Wildstream in partnership with Concentra, the goal was to reduce the workload for dealerships by creating a simple, centralized tool to upload listings on classified ad platforms.

As the industry evolved, Carflow pivoted to a SaaS model, enabling dealerships to create digital showrooms that offered customers a seamless, “Tesla-like” experience. This included transparent stock management, online reservations, and integration of the online and in-store journey. This pivot addressed emerging market demands, enabling dealerships to create online experiences that mirrored in-store offerings.

“Carflow initially thrived by simplifying manual tasks, but the future was in creating a scalable platform that let dealerships offer Tesla-like experiences. We built a solution where customers could interact digitally, from exploring inventory to reserving vehicles, all seamlessly integrated with the dealership’s physical presence.”

Jan Vanhoyweghen
Managing Director, Wildstream

The Impact

This transformation allowed Carflow to empower dealerships with accessible, professional digital tools that were cost-effective yet comprehensive. The platform became essential for dealerships aiming to modernize without substantial investment in bespoke digital solutions.

This strategic evolution and strong market presence attracted the attention of MotorK, a European leader in digital solutions for automotive distribution. In May 2022, MotorK announced its plans to acquire Carflow as part of its external growth strategy. This move was driven by MotorK’s ambition to consolidate the fragmented European market for automotive SaaS solutions and expand its footprint in the Benelux region.

The acquisition was more than just a business deal; it was a natural fit. Carflow’s expertise in digitizing automotive distribution and its strong relationships with OEMs and dealers complemented MotorK’s broader geographic reach and SaaS capabilities.

“The addition of Carflow to the MotorK family strengthens our presence in Europe, particularly in the Benelux region. Their robust market experience and innovative solutions enhance our ability to meet the growing digital demands of car buyers.”

Marco Marlia
Co-founder and CEO, MotorK

Frederic Apers, CEO of Carflow, echoed this enthusiasm:“After a period of intense growth, joining forces with MotorK enables us to continue innovating and offering cutting-edge solutions to our loyal customers. Together, we can better respond to the evolving needs of automotive buyers and accelerate growth across the region.”

This acquisition solidified Carflow’s success story, transforming it from a local innovator into a key player on the European stage. It underscores the platform’s role in shaping the digital transformation of the automotive industry and further validates Wildstream’s ability to support ventures in becoming scalable, impactful, and attractive to major players in their field.

Frank ter Braak, Country Manager Benelux for MotorK, highlighted Wildstream’s role in Carflow’s journey: “Wildstream is more than a consultancy. Their value lies in the comprehensive ecosystem they’ve built, combining strategic expertise, technological capability through Expert Network, and marketing execution via Hybrid Agency. Together, this allows Wildstream to deliver not just plans, but results—an end-to-end solution that very few competitors can match.”

“What truly impressed me was their process-driven approach to solving challenges. I’ve seen how they bring diverse stakeholders together, facilitate alignment, and develop a structured path forward. In sectors like automotive, where innovation is complex and change involves multiple parties, this ability to build consensus is invaluable. Their method transforms ambiguity into clarity, and ideas into concrete actions.”

Frank ter Braak
Country Manager Benelux, MotorK

Across harpoons, ventures, and customer cases alike, Wildstream brings a mix of strategic insight and hands-on support to achieve successful outcomes. Each story is a reflection of our key strengths:

Identifying Market Gaps: our ability to spot opportunities—whether in the automotive, hospitality, or workspace sectors—sets the stage for transformative success.
Pivoting with Purpose: By steering startups towards more effective business models, we unlock new value propositions.
Building Scalable Solutions: Through design thinking and operational excellence, we ensure that each platform can scale sustainably.
Blending Strategy with Execution: our unique approach of embedding with teams allows us to provide actionable insights and implement changes directly.

Want to know more about our hands-on approach to digital innovation?

Get in touch