Cars24’s Acquisition, and Subsequent Dismantling of Team-BHP

In a move that has left India’s automotive community reeling, Cars24 has laid off over 200 employees following its acquisition of Team-BHP — a platform many considered the soul of Indian car enthusiasts. What was once pitched as a strategic alliance is now clearly a dismantling, stripping away a legacy that took decades to build.

For millions of Indian readers, Team-BHP wasn’t just another website. It was a rite of passage. It was where first-time car buyers sought honest advice, where veterans shared deep mechanical know-how, and where true passion for automobiles thrived without corporate interference. In an ecosystem often marred by paid reviews and marketing fluff, Team-BHP stood alone as a beacon of authenticity. Founded in 2004, Team-BHP was fiercely independent — proud of its strict “no paid promotions” policy and an application-only membership process that valued knowledge and integrity over hype. Its exhaustive car reviews, road trip chronicles, and technical discussions became the gold standard for anyone serious about cars and bikes in India. Simply put, it wasn’t just a forum; it was family.

Cars24’s takeover and the subsequent layoffs, have now ripped through that legacy. Sources indicate that the heart of Team-BHP’s tech and product teams — the custodians of its community-first ethos — were among those axed as Cars24 shifted its priorities firmly towards cost-cutting and operational efficiency. The timing couldn’t be starker. Rival Spinny just closed a fresh $131 million funding round, and pressure is mounting on players like Cars24 to show leaner balance sheets. In that race for profitability, it appears that preserving the spirit of Team-BHP was simply too inconvenient.

For the thousands who grew up reading, contributing, and living through Team-BHP, this isn’t just a business decision — it’s the end of an era. The loss cuts deeper than layoffs and restructuring; it feels like a betrayal of a community that built something rare, something real. A place once built by passion has now been reduced to just another casualty of bottom-line thinking.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies