The company began as the Kelley Kar Company founded by Les Kelley in 1918.[3][6][7] Kelley started the company with three Model T Fords.[8] His younger brother, Buster, worked with Kelley as a lot boy.[8] By using data collected from the dealership, Kelley published the company’s first Blue Book in 1926, which became a standard guide in automotive trade in determining car value.[6][9][8] Kelley Blue Book was formed in 1926, and the Kelley family continued its dealership business in Southern California for several decades.[3][6][8] By the 1960s, the company moved from a car dealership to a specialty publisher and focused on the production of its automobile price guide.[6] Kelley Blue Book guide became the first publication to use mileage to determine a car's value.[citation needed]
In 1995, Kelley Blue Book created its company website, which contained tips and pricing information from its hardcopy guide.[10]
In December 2010, Kelley Blue Book was purchased by AutoTrader.com.[3][4][11] After its acquisition, the company operated as a subsidiary of AutoTrader.com, Inc.[12]
In 2013, the company formed an alliance with Bitauto Holdings Ltd. to expand into China.[13]
The company reports market value prices for new and used automobiles of all types, as well as motorcycles, snowmobiles and personal watercraft.[16] For both new and used automobiles, Kelley Blue Book provides a fair market range and fair purchase price, based on actual transactions of what others are paying for a vehicle and adjusted regularly as market conditions change.[17][18] For new automobiles, Kelley Blue Book also provides information about a car's MSRP and dealer invoice price.[19] For used cars, Kelley Blue Book provides typical listing price, certified pre-owned price, trade-in value and private party value.[20][21] Kelley Blue Book also offers expert and consumer vehicle reviews and ratings, and 5-year cost to own information for new cars.[22][23]
Recognition
In 2012–2014, Harris Poll recognized Kelley Blue Book as the Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year.[24][25] In addition, the company received a WebAward in the automotive category of Outstanding Website for two consecutive years.[26]
^Li, S. (October 27, 2010). "AutoTrader plans to buy kelley blue book; terms of the deal, which requires regulatory approval, are not disclosed". LA Times.
^Clough, Richard (November 9, 2013). "Kelley Blue Book to expand into China". The Orange County Register. p. Business 1.
