A Well-Known eBay Figure is Entering the Automotive World

Former eBay Canada general manager takes the helm of AutoTrader, AutoHebdo, and dealer software suites to accelerate digital retail tools nationwide.

AutoTrader announced today the appointment of Robert Bigler as Chief Executive Officer of its Canadian operations. In this capacity, Bigler will oversee the AutoTrader and AutoHebdo online marketplaces alongside dealership software and marketing platforms Activix, TAdvantage, and TRFFK. His portfolio also includes automotive financial technology divisions Dealertrack Canada and Collateral Management Solutions.

Bigler joins the organization following a nearly nine-year tenure at eBay, where he served as General Manager for eBay Canada before leading subsidiary marketplace TCGplayer as Chief Executive Officer. He steps into the position as the company expands investments in enterprise technology and artificial intelligence (AI) tools engineered to help dealerships source, price, and retail inventory more efficiently. According to the company, these digital capabilities aim to protect dealership profitability amid shifting trade dynamics and heightened competition.

Backed by parent company Autonex, which operates automotive marketplaces across nine European and Canadian markets, the Canadian division plans to speed up the rollout of shared platform technologies. Following the January 2026 launch of its marketplace ChatGPT integration, the organization is deploying automated search and digital workflow tools for retail showrooms. According to Autonex Chief Executive Officer Peter Brooks-Johnson, Bigler’s background in scaling online marketplaces will strengthen day-to-day operational support for Canadian automotive retailers.