Analytics Firm IHS to Acquire Polk

Englewood, Colo.-based IHS Inc., a provider of analysis about energy, security and the environment, has agreed to buy privately held auto research firm R.L. Polk & Co.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed. IHS says the deal is subject to approval by U.S. anti-trust authorities.

Southfield, Mich.-based Polk disclosed in March that it had hired New York City-based investment bank Evercore Partners Inc. to seek a buyer. The Wall Street Journal reported then that Polk could fetch as much as $1 billion.

Polk is known for its vehicle registration data, sales forecasts and owner loyalty surveys. In 1999, the company bought Carfax, the provider of used-car histories.

In March 2010, IHS acquired automotive forecaster CSM Worldwide Inc. for $27 million. The company already operated IHS Global Insight, a forecasting firm whose expertise includes autos.