A French Serial Entrepreneur in the United States
In Florida, a car can be sold without any kind of inspection—at the risk of putting unsafe or non-compliant vehicles on the road. To fill this gap, French entrepreneur Mathieu Blondeau is launching a network built on transparency, systematic inspections, and strong warranties, with the goal of making the used car market safer and restoring trust for both buyers and sellers.
The French District met with Mathieu Blondeau, a French entrepreneur and investor, founder of more than a dozen businesses in the automotive, real estate, and tech sectors. His new project will resonate with anyone who has gone through the often-painful experience of buying a used car in the U.S.
What problem have you identified in the U.S. automotive market?
The American automotive sector is very different from what we know in Europe—especially in France.
In France, once a vehicle is more than four years old, it must pass a mandatory technical inspection and then repeat it every two years. Before any sale—whether from a dealer or a private seller—this inspection must be performed.
The test is strict: more than 130 points are checked, from vehicle identification and legal documents to brakes, tires, suspensions, seatbelts, headlights, emissions, and noise. In other words, it guarantees that every car on the road meets minimum safety and reliability standards.
In the U.S., there’s no such uniform inspection. Each state (Florida, New York, California, etc.) sets its own rules, and the differences are huge. For example, in Florida, where I currently live, there is simply no mandatory inspection: a car can be driven or sold without any safety or emissions checks. This creates a real issue, as it opens the door to selling vehicles that may be dangerous or non-compliant, directly impacting the safety of drivers and pedestrians.
What’s your solution?
We’ve decided to bring a concrete solution here in Florida by creating a network of trusted professionals. The idea is to set a quality standard higher than what currently exists.
Each vehicle will:
- Be inspected before the sale using a checklist of minimum control points, handed directly to the customer for full transparency,
- Undergo a mandatory minimum service before hitting the road,
- Be covered by at least a three-month warranty, even though the law doesn’t require it,
- And buyers will be offered extended warranties to secure their purchase for several years if they wish.
Our goal is simple: to establish a true culture of trust and transparency in Florida’s used car market.
What value will you bring to resellers?
It’s straightforward, and it’s exactly what I’ve already achieved in France: building a network backed by a trust label and cutting-edge digital tools.
When a dealer earns this label, they automatically gain credibility. That credibility translates directly into more trust, and more sustainable business.
Concretely, here’s the value we bring to resellers:
A true quality label
Dealers can tell their customers: “My vehicles are inspected, serviced, guaranteed, and certified to a higher standard.” It’s a powerful argument that sets them apart from competitors.
More sales and higher prices
A confident customer buys faster and without endless negotiations fueled by fear of breakdowns.
Stronger customer loyalty
A satisfied buyer is more likely to return and recommend the dealer to others, creating a loyal, recurring customer base.
Smart digital tools
Accounting, legal documents, online listings, and even showroom photography tied to the label are automated. This saves enormous time and lets resellers focus on what matters: finding the right vehicles and doing the necessary servicing.
Turnkey solutions
Extended warranties, financing, and complementary services add value for the customer while generating additional income for the dealer. Always the same principle: win-win relationships.
In short, my ambition is clear: I want every dealer in the network to be seen not just as a car seller, but as a trusted professional, recognized for transparency, reliability, and the quality of their vehicles.
What about buyers?
For used car buyers in the U.S., the value is simple: allowing them to buy a car stress-free and with confidence.
Every vehicle will be inspected, serviced, and certified, ensuring total transparency. Each comes with at least a three-month warranty, with the option to add extended coverage for several years.
The entire process is designed to save them time and bring peace of mind: no doubts, no bad surprises, a fair price, and a modern, streamlined experience thanks to digital tools.
In short, I want the buyer to feel the same as if they were buying a new car—with the certainty that their purchase is secure.
How will you approach the American market?
With a very clear mindset: that of a builder arriving in a new playing field, with its own codes, rules, and opportunities. I’m not here to “copy-paste” a French model but to adapt and improve it for local expectations.
I’m approaching it with humility—ready to observe, listen, and understand—but also with real ambition.
Why the United States?
Destiny brought me here: encounters, challenges, friendships, and a culture that spoke to me right away. For a challenger, what could be more logical than taking on the market of the world’s largest economy?
And I firmly believe nothing happens by chance: faith guides me just as much as ambition.
What’s your favorite U.S. city?
St. Petersburg, Florida, holds a special place in my heart. It’s a city that combines quality of life, cultural openness, and economic dynamism. It gives me both the serenity of the ocean and the entrepreneurial drive that defines the United States.
What do you value most about the U.S.?
Without hesitation: freedom, and that unique feeling that anything is possible.
A Short Bio of Mathieu Blondeau
Mathieu Blondeau is a French entrepreneur specializing in the automotive industry. In France, he co-founded and developed the BH networks (BH Car, BH Atelier, BH Pare-brise) and Vroomiz—both recognized for professionalizing used car sales with high standards of transparency and trust. Building on this success, he has now moved to Florida to take on a new challenge: setting unprecedented standards of quality and safety in the U.S. market. Guided by innovation and a people-first approach, his mission is to transform the automotive experience for both buyers and resellers.
More info about Mathieu Blondeau.
Interview by Romain Angeletti – Co-founder of the French District
