Leading the way for almost 40 years
Our purpose at Nichibo is to power success for our customers.
That means going beyond creating a leading auction platform - it means revolutionizing the vehicle supply chain.
1988 - Established in Ise Japan
Formation of Nichibo by Nobuya Yamanaka to launch a importing business of Fishery Products
1989 - Vehicle Exporting
Nichibo starts the export of used vehicles to New Zealand
2003 - Nichibo launches AutoSearch
Nichibo launches online cloud portal for dealerships to buy vehicles through the vast auction network in Japan
2004 - Launch of Auto Advance Finance
Wholesale funding service launched to offer dealerships a revolving line of credit
2006 - FastTrack Automotive Compliance
FastTrack Automotive Compliance 2006 Limited starts to comply Used Cars imported into New Zealand
2009 - Auto Finance Direct
Auto Finance Direct launches to offer retail finance facility to dealerships in New Zealand
2014 - SmartBuy (NZ) Launched
SmartBuy product is developed and launched as a new end-to-end solution designed to simplify the importing process, eliminating guesswork and reducing administration for dealerships. Purpose built for the AutoSearch platform, SmartBuy uniquely streamlines the importing process by offering fully complied pricing for vehicles at time of purchase.
2016
Nichibo sells over 5000 vehicles in a single month to New Zealand.
2017
Optimus Group Company Ltd, the parent company of Nichibo lists on Tokyo Stock Exchange.
2018
Nichibo Turns 30, employs 500+ staff across the wider group of companies and achieves its 500,000th sale to New Zealand.
2021
Nichibo sells its 600,000 vehicle globally
2023
- Optimus Group acquires 51% stake in Auto Trader Media Group, owners of Autotrader.co.nz
- Nichibo sells its 700,000 vehicle
- Record breaking month of 8,070 vehicle sales in March
2023
Optimus aquires Autopact one of Australia’s largest privately owned automotive dealership groups. Autopact operates 28 dealerships, representing 35 brands in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It services the volume, premium, luxury and commercial vehicle segments within the Australian Automotive industry.
2023
Optimus aquires Autopact one of Australia’s largest privately owned automotive dealership groups. Autopact operates 28 dealerships, representing 35 brands in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. It services the volume, premium, luxury and commercial vehicle segments within the Australian Automotive industry.
2024
Autocare Services joins the Optimus Group, one of Australia’s largest integrated automotive logistics providers and has been providing comprehensive end to end automotive solutions to the automotive industry for over 60 years. These services include vehicle transport, storage, and processing for some of Australia’s largest OEMs, along with automotive dealerships, rental and fleet providers.