6:33 pm, November 30, 2010
MANHEIM has introduced a new mobile auction service for buyers – and the service really is mobile!
In an effort to attract as many buyers across Europe as possible, Manheim has added a fleet of customised Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans to its company and bringing a service that is literally ‘mobile’. It is being hailed as the ‘key to success in continental Europe’.
Packed with technology and communications equipment, these units can be set up to operate a large physical auction in any location at around two weeks notice. Each van can broadcast live images and sound from the mobile physical auction to remote bidders all over Europe using Manheim’s internet-based Simulcast service.
Manheim’s business development director, Jonathan Holland, said: ‘The proposition that both vendors and buyers clearly want revolves around providing maximum choice through sales channels which really offer flexibility. By this I mean keeping vehicle movements and logistics costs to a minimum and providing a transactional service which gives both parties as broad a choice as possible, in a fully transparent and easy to use manner.
The more you consider the opportunities going forward, the more is obvious that the best remarketing strategy will have a high weighting towards technological deployment with the emphasis on maximum transactional capability, coupled to innovative support solutions.’
After an initial trial earlier in the year in Germany, with sales in Frankfurt and Regensburg, additional mobile units have been commissioned and deployed to Belgium, France and the Netherlands. Mobile sales are also due to take place in Italy before the end of the year.
