— Vitalii, you are an engineer by training and an entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience. Where did it all begin?
— It all started in my childhood. Growing up in Donetsk, I would spend hours taking apart old Soviet engines with my father. Later came technical college, university, a degree in automotive engineering, and a second degree in finance. A pivotal moment came when I won second place in a national engineering competition in Ukraine with a hydraulic tricycle project. That was when I realized engineering was not just a hobby but my life’s work.
— Today your company operates nationwide. How would you describe the scale of your business?
— In simple numbers: our annual revenue exceeds $5 million, and we conduct transactions in more than twenty states. We have 12 permanent subcontractor teams, over 30 vendor partners, and in just the last few years we’ve restored more than a thousand vehicles. These are not just cars — these are hundreds of families who could finally afford transportation at about 20% below wholesale and 35% below retail. I often say: my business is not just about cars, it’s about accessible mobility.
— People call you the builder of a “restoration economy.” What does that mean for the average American?
— For a family, it means being able to buy a certified vehicle not for $47,000 like a new car, but for $27,000 or even $25,000 — with a warranty and peace of mind. For the country, it means millions of tons of avoided CO₂ emissions, because every restored vehicle saves up to 80–90% of the resources already invested in its manufacturing. For the market, it means tens of thousands of jobs, from auto mechanics to DMV inspectors. A restoration economy means we stop throwing things away and start using them wisely.
— Critics say that “salvage” always means risk. How do you respond?
— I respond with facts. If a vehicle is restored in a certified center, if OEM standards are applied and full diagnostics are carried out, it is no different from a new car. We use laser alignment systems, electronic scanners, hybrid and EV diagnostics equipment. We document every stage. Moreover, our cars undergo state inspections and come with warranties. I’ve personally driven such vehicles for over 100,000 miles and know they are absolutely safe. The problem isn’t salvage itself, but the absence of national standards.
— You’ve been outspoken about industry reforms. What exactly do you mean?
— Today, major auction companies like Copart or IAAI operate on an “as is” principle, removing all responsibility from themselves. I personally faced a case when a Ford F-150 I bought was damaged by a forklift on the lot before the hauler even picked it up. Arbitration was denied, and instead I received threats of account suspension. That’s absurd. I propose simple solutions: independent arbitration, mandatory storage of photos and reports for at least five years, and a ban on disclaiming liability for one’s own mistakes. This would protect both businesses and consumers.
— You also speak about reforms in the environmental field. What matters most here?
— It’s important to understand a basic fact: manufacturing a new car releases 7 to 20 tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Restoring that same car results in only 2 to 3 tons. The difference is enormous. If just 25% of the vehicles declared total losses by insurance companies were restored, we could save over 3 million tons of emissions annually. This is a tangible climate contribution — without billion-dollar subsidies and without waiting for EV infrastructure to become universally available.
— Your business is described as a role model for entrepreneurs. What’s the secret?
— There are no secrets. There is only hard work and reputation. We don’t spend millions on advertising, yet we maintain 100% positive feedback on eBay Motors, because I always put quality ahead of short-term profit. We show before-and-after photos, we provide warranties, we take responsibility. I believe long-term success is built not on marketing, but on trust.
— And if you had to highlight one main goal for the coming years?
— I want to see a national certified restoration program established in the United States. Consumers should have a real choice: not just new or used, but officially restored vehicles with certification and warranty. That will lower prices, create new jobs, and make the U.S. a world leader in sustainable mobility. My vision is that within ten years, America will be the one setting global standards in this field.
— You sound like someone building not just a business, but a movement.
— That’s exactly right. I don’t want my work to be limited to my own transactions. I want to build a new culture around it — a culture of restoration, responsibility, and respect for resources. I want the children of today’s buyers to see that a car can live longer than insurance companies predict. For me, this is no longer just business. It’s a contribution to the future of the country.
Speaking with Vitalii Tkachenko leaves the impression of a man who thinks on a scale far greater than the boundaries of his own company. His story is not just about restored vehicles and millions in revenue. It is an example of how engineering, persistence, and honesty can evolve into a national mission. Vitalii talks about numbers, laws, and technologies, but what shines through is his drive to make transportation accessible, the market fair, and the nation stronger and more sustainable. In a world where we often admire big brands and billion-dollar corporations, stories like this remind us that real change comes from people who see a problem and set out to fix it. Tkachenko is one of those rare leaders who does exactly that every single day.
GBChoice – THE GUARANTEED BEST CHOICE
Interview by Michael Anderson
August 15, 2024
