2002
Founder and Owner Mark Lanwehr starts the company, then known as iKeyless, from scratch on the dining room table of his one-bedroom apartment in Louisville, KY. iKeyless offers consumers and businesses a more affordable and convenient alternative for replacing automotive keys and remotes.
2006
iKeyless launches a commercial website, Car Keys Express, becoming the world’s first online retailer of automotive keys and keyless entry remotes.
2008
iKeyless purchases a second-hand van and begins experimenting with servicing business fleets and car dealerships. Originally known as Fleet Keys, Car Keys Express now covers over 2,000 cities in the US and Canada.
2009
Car Keys Express/iKeyless launches a research and development division. The division eventually becomes the most advanced automotive key reverse engineering team in the world.
2011
The company begins manufacturing its own aftermarket automotive keys. This expansion leads to the purchase of the company’s first office building. Today, the company’s campus includes seven buildings on 2.5 acres in Louisville’s downtown.
2014
Car Keys Express/iKeyless celebrates the release of its highest product development achievement to date—the world’s first and only Universal Car Remote. The industry-unique device is received enthusiastically by retailers and is now sold across North America. This product marks the beginning of the company’s expansion into retail.
2015
Car Keys Express/iKeyless launches Solid Keys USA, a design and development division. Their inaugural product line, the world’s first Universal Car Keys, debuts at the Aftermarket Automotive Product Expo (AAPEX), the automotive parts industry’s premier tradeshow, and wins the coveted Best New Product Award.
2016
Inc. Magazine honors Car Keys Express with its Inc. 5000 award, recognizing America’s fastest-growing private companies.
2017
Car Keys Express NOW! launches. The unique, turn-key program provides retailers simplified tools, universal keys, comprehensive training, and field support to sell key replacement for modern vehicles at retail. The company establishes Car Keys Express Cares. The initiative focuses on preserving and promoting positive contributions to the company’s communities through charitable work locally and globally. For the second year in a row, Inc. Magazine honors Car Keys Express with its Inc. 5000 award, recognizing America’s fastest-growing private companies.
2018
The company introduces a new line of business, Car Care Express, offering mobile vehicle reconditioning service for businesses and consumers. Services include: paintless dent repair; paint touch up; headlight restoration; and repairs to wheels, windshields, and interiors. The company announces a full ecosystem of products and solutions to bring key replacement back to retail. A revolutionary product line, Simple™ Key is launched. The new line allows retailers to offer consumers a simple, “do-it-yourself” solution for replacing modern car keys. The consumer-friendly, self-contained product includes a universal key and EZ Installer™. The company is awarded a patent for the frequency-agile transmitter that makes their products uniquely universal. Additional operational support services are added to the company’s growing suite of key replacement solutions for businesses. New services allow operations to customize services and inventory to meet their unique key replacement needs. For the third year in a row, Inc. Magazine honors Car Keys Express with its Inc. 5000 award, recognizing America’s fastest-growing private companies.
