Strong Start for Van Sales at Manheim Auctions

COLCHESTER, UK – January 15, 2009: Manheim Auctions’ light commercial vehicle sales at Colchester and Gloucester during the first half of January saw excellent attendances and strong bidding for a wide variety of vans. Following on from December when van sales were 35% up compared with December 2007, January has seen the momentum maintained with an exceptional start, considering the current economic climate.

The physical buyer attendance at Colchester in the first trading week of January was up 40% compared with December and Gloucester recorded a 30% increase in attendance also compared with December. In addition, CV Live attracted 58 online buyers at Colchester and 55 at Gloucester resulting in 15% of all sales being bought online, out of a total of 830 vans offered.

Prices were stronger with many vans attracting higher bids than the previous month - suggesting that demand remains healthy. Examples of some vehicles sold include an Astra Sportive on a 06 plate with 90,000 miles that sold for £2,500, nearly £500 more than was bid on this vehicle in December. Another example is a Vivaro 1.9 CDTi on a 55 plate with 45,000 miles which sold for £4,350 in January, having failed to attract interest in December. The 4x4 pick up market also seems to be strengthening with a Nissan Navara Outlaw double cab turbo diesel, on a 55 plate and with 41,000 miles selling for £7,300.

Alex Wright, Sales Director, Commercial Vehicles, Manheim Auctions said: “I am very pleased and encouraged by the strong start to the year. There appears to be a new feeling of guarded confidence leading buyers to bid on vehicles for stock and not just to order. Vendors are being more realistic now when setting reserves and the buyers are responding. The market remains price sensitive, and buyers can still avoid damaged stock as there is plentiful choice. The purchase of a van is ultimately a business decision driven by its role as a working tool. This is very different from emotional decisions made when selecting a car on a retail forecourt.”