CARSOME Group Inc. (Carsome) entered into a multi-year collaboration with Google Cloud and Searce to fuel Carsome’s continued expansion and growth in the markets where it operates. 

The collaboration will see use of Google Cloud’s platform services across modern infrastructure, cybersecurity, data analytics, and generative AI (gen AI) to further enhance the car transaction and ownership experience for Carsome's consumers and used car dealers.

The move will be guided by Searce’s technical consultancy and implementation expertise to make the strategic shift to a unified cloud operating model. 

The long term aim is to solidify Carsome’s position as Southeast Asia’s leading integrated car e-commerce platform.

Carsome Group chief technology officer Kjetil Rohde Jakobsen said the company has been digitizing the used car industry with the help of advanced technologies since 2015. 

"With our business continuing to experience significant growth, we saw an opportunity to strengthen our digital foundation to better support our expanding operations and drive even greater efficiencies. 

"Shifting from a multicloud environment to Google Cloud not only helps us realize cost savings due to its infrastructure’s better price-performance; it also allows us to access secure-by-design, full stack capabilities across data analytics and AI. 

"This will enable our teams to deliver more dynamic and differentiated solutions and experiences for Carsome customers and partners across the region, from car listings and discovery, to financing and transacting, to after-sales support,” added Kjetil Rohde Jakobsen.

Expanding on the benefits through their cooperation, Searce Asia Pacific solutions consulting director Yash Thakker explained that them facilitating Carsome’s cloud consolidation will optimize its cloud spend by as much as 30%. 

"These cost savings can then be redeployed toward other strategic innovation initiatives that deliver top-line growth for the business, such as the potential development of next-generation conversational AI agents that autonomously and effectively handle common customer queries for relevant information, freeing up Carsome’s customer support staff to address more complex issues. 

"With a full team of certified in-house experts, Searce is well-positioned to support companies’ full-scale infrastructure migration to Google Cloud and the technical implementation of cutting-edge Google Cloud AI solutions,” he added.

Google Cloud Malaysia and Singapore country director Serene Sia is positive that the partnership will allow Carsome to expand its operations with confidence by running its business on the fully managed Google Cloud infrastructure.

This includes increasing Carsome’s penetration in existing markets, to expanding its inventory of pre-owned vehicles, to streamlining the movement of vehicles between inspection centres, refurbishment facilities, and customers.

"Together with Searce, we look forward to completing Carsome’s cloud consolidation and advancing its innovation roadmap, which includes harnessing gen AI and agentic AI to create more personalized and seamless car transaction and ownership experiences, delivering new engines of growth for its business,” said Serene Sia.