Manheim Auctions in Texas Remind Dealers of State's Dealer-only Policy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                   Contact:          Dave Chaney


May 30, 2006
McNeely Pigott & Fox


 
(615) 259-4000

 

MANHEIM AUCTIONS IN TEXAS remind dealers of STATE'S DEALER-ONLY POLICY

 

ATLANTA - Manheim auto auctions in Texas have strengthened regulations
prohibiting non-dealers from participating in sales.

 

The company's eight auction facilities in the state have agreed to a new
policy statement in conjunction with the Texas Wholesale Auto Auction
Association.  The policy is designed to comply with the Texas Motor
Vehicle Division's independent agent rules, and actually goes beyond the
state's minimum requirements in an attempt to keep non-dealers and
unauthorized buyers from participating in the auctions.

 

"This really is nothing new for us," said Barry Roop, general manager at
Dallas Auto Auction.  "Manheim has always had a clear dealer-only
policy, so we aren't changing in that regard.  In conjunction with the
state of Texas, we're just proactively addressing the concern that some
auctions in Texas are allowing non-dealers to participate in sales by
better enforcing the regulations that were already in place, and by
adopting new policies to help us more closely monitor the activity at
our sales."

 

Only licensed dealers and their registered agents are admitted into the
auctions during sales, and each dealer or wholesaler must have his or
her admittance badge displayed.  Payments for vehicles purchased at
auction must be remitted from the licensed dealer, not an agent, and
titles will be assigned only to a licensed dealer.   

 

"The wholesale auto auction environment is designed for specific
audiences, and those audiences expect and deserve a level playing field
when they come here to do business," said Frank Post, general manager at
Dallas-Fort Worth Auto Auction.  "With this policy, we are formalizing
our already strong commitment to the dealers in our area, and are making
a statement about our intolerance for curbstoners and other violators."

 

Each Manheim auction is making announcements at the beginning of every
sale so that those who allow non-dealers to participate are aware of the
resulting penalties.  Signage is posted at the entrance and throughout
the auction.  A compliance officer spearheads the dealer-only
enforcement efforts at each facility, auction employees comb the lanes
to make sure each bidder is legitimate, and uniformed security guards
check badges at the door.

 

            "This is a unified front on the part of all Manheim
auctions," said Roop.  "We're putting more of a visual emphasis on our
dealer-only policy and tightening up our enforcement of it, and the
result will be the same level of deterrence at each facility."

 

             Manheim auctions in Texas include Big H Auto Auction in
Houston, Dallas Auto Auction, Dealers Auto Auction of Dallas,
Dallas-Fort Worth Auto Auction, El Paso Auto Auction, Fort Worth Vehicle
Auction, San Antonio Auto Auction and Texas Hobby Auto Auction in
Houston.  All auctions in the Texas Wholesale Auto Auction Association
have been asked to adopt the same policy.

 


About Manheim 


 

Manheim is the world's leading provider of automotive remarketing
services.  Through its wholesale auctions and array of technology
products, Manheim impacts every stage of a used vehicle's life cycle,
helping commercial sellers and automobile dealers realize the full value
of their vehicles.  

 

The company's auction services include reconditioning, certification,
inspections, dealer financing, transport, title management and
marshaling, among others.  Manheim is also the leader in remarketing
technology, using its online tools to connect buyers and sellers around
the globe to the world's largest, most comprehensive wholesale
marketplace.  In 2005, Manheim handled nearly 10 million used vehicles -
and sold more than 5 million - representing more than $50 billion in
value.

 

Manheim's subsidiary companies provide value-added remarketing products
and services, including paintless dent removal (Dent Wizard), Auto Body
Repair, and salvage vehicle remarketing (Total Resource Auctions).  

 

            A wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Atlanta-based
Manheim is a global organization with 32,000 employees at its 139 U.S.
and international locations.  For more information, visit
www.manheimauctions.com.  

 

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