Australian online automotive platform Carsales.com Ltd. could join the list of bidders for German car trading business AutoScout24 GmbH, which could sell for about €2.3 billion, the Financial Times (London) reported, citing people close to the auction.

Private equity firms Permira Advisers Ltd. and Hellman & Friedman LLC and Apax Partners LLP, which were recently shortlisted for the second round of bidding for the auto business of Scout24 AG, are expected to submit their bids later in the week of Dec. 9.

Given that the size of AutoScout24 is about the same as Carsales' market value, it remains unclear whether the latter would move forward with an offer, the publication cited one of the sources as saying.

Carsales, Hellman & Friedman and Permira did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Apax and Scout24 declined to comment, according to the publication.