Robert (Rob) Bigler, Chief Executive Officer, AutoTrader
AutoTrader has a new leader as the company looks to accelerate its investment in artificial intelligence (AI), digital retail technology and tools designed to help Canadian dealerships operate more efficiently.
The company announced November 12 that Robert (Rob) Bigler has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, overseeing its Canadian operations, including AutoTrader, AutoHebdo, Activix, TAdvantage, TRFFK, Dealertrack Canada and Collateral Management Solutions.
“He brings extensive experience in building and growing marketplace businesses, with a strong focus on customer experience and developing great teams,” said Peter Brooks-Johnson, CEO of Autonex, in a statement.
Bigler joins AutoTrader following nearly nine years at eBay, where he most recently served as CEO of its subsidiary marketplace, TCGplayer. He previously held the position of General Manager for eBay Canada, focusing on customer experience and seller growth.
“Throughout my career, I’ve focused relentlessly on putting the customer experience first, scaling marketplace platforms, and driving sustainable growth for business partners,” said Bigler.
His appointment comes as Canadian dealers face mounting pressure to manage inventory, attract buyers and protect profitability amid changing economic conditions and consumer expectations. AutoTrader plans to expand its use of AI and enterprise technology to improve vehicle search, pricing, marketing and digital workflows for dealerships.
The company is part of Autonex, an international automotive marketplace group operating across nine markets in Europe and Canada. Its shared technology platform supports the development and deployment of digital tools across its businesses.
Recent initiatives include a ChatGPT marketplace integration launched in January 2026 and a broader platform transformation focused on vehicle recommendations, search capabilities and dealership workflows.
The company said additional AI-powered innovations are planned to simplify dealership operations and improve connections between buyers and sellers.
