Manheim CyberLots Surpass Total 1998 Sales in Five Months
17 June 1999
Manheim CyberLots Surpass Total 1998 Sales in Five MonthsDealers Flock to Largest Online Source for Pre-owned Vehicles, Purchasing More than $200 Million in Inventory ATLANTA, June 17 -- Manheim Online(TM), the leader in auto- related e-commerce and an extended service of Manheim Auctions, announced today that CyberLot(R) sales for the first five months of 1999 have already surpassed sales for all of 1998. As of May 30, sales have topped 14,000 vehicles valued at $219 million, compared with last year's total sales of 12,440 vehicles valued at $217 million. Manheim's cadre of tech managers, based at each of the company's U.S. auction locations, play a key role in educating dealers about using online commerce and other technology tools to improve their business operations. Editor's Summary * Manheim Online announced today sales from its CyberLots during the first five months of 1999 have surpassed total sales for 1998. Compared to last year's sales of 12,440 vehicles, as of May 30, year- to-date sales for 1999 have already topped 14,000 vehicles sold. * CyberLots, Web-based collections of pre-owned vehicles offered to dealers by manufacturers, financial institutions and leasing companies, meet dealer needs for an easy-to-use, 24x7 complement to physical auctions. * Manheim Online is diversifying CyberLots to include "open" lots that are accessible to any dealer, not just franchisees. * The company's Tech Managers serve as a resource for dealers moving into online commerce and other technologies. CyberLots -- Web-based collections of pre-owned vehicles offered to dealers by manufacturers, financial institutions and leasing companies -- have grown sharply in popularity because they meet dealer needs for an easy- to-use, 24-hour channel to augment trips to physical vehicle auctions. Further, Manheim Online has significantly expanded its offering in 1999 with the addition of CyberLots for General Motors, First Union, and GE Capital Auto Leasing. The company plans to welcome Suzuki Credit later this month, for a total of 26 CyberLots. "CyberLots are a prime example of the creative ways in which Manheim is helping dealers use technology to sell more cars," said Dennis Berry, president. "The ability to purchase inventory online gives dealers tremendous flexibility and convenience, and enables them to meet customer needs quickly. We plan to continue adding new CyberLots and improving site features and functionality for even greater vehicle selection and ease of use." Transitional CyberLots Benefit Independents One of the new site features that is expected to prove popular with independent dealers is the transitional CyberLot. Manufacturers such as GMAC Canada have modified "closed" lots (accessible only by franchise dealers) to make the site's inventory available to any dealer after a preliminary closed period. Further, independents can utilize several fully open CyberLots, which have no closed period. "Transitional CyberLots will be a great addition to traditional inventory purchasing," said Peter Drakulich, general manager, Wally's Auto. "If I can't attend a particular auction, need vehicles in-between auctions, or want to get things done after hours, I know I can quickly go on the CyberLots to replenish my inventory. Manheim is like a silent partner in my business -- helping increase profitability by teaching me how to use the latest technology." Tech Managers Build Dealer Comfort Level with Online Purchasing Manheim's Tech Manager program, implemented in late 1998, supports CyberLots by providing an accessible technology resource for dealers who are making the transition to online commerce. Tech managers, who are based at each Manheim auction location in the U.S., are readily available to give dealers an overview of Web-based purchasing, explain how it works and show how it can benefit their businesses. As they incorporate the Internet into their business practices, more and more dealers are choosing CyberLots for acquiring new inventory. About Manheim Auctions Founded in 1945, Manheim Auctions, Inc., (http://www.manheim.com ) is the world's largest operator of wholesale automobile auctions with 85 locations in North America, the United Kingdom and France. In 1998, Manheim offered for sale more than 6.5 million vehicles. The actual value of vehicles sold was in excess of $36 billion. Manheim is a leader in automotive Internet commerce as a supplier of web sites and transaction services to auto remarketers. In 1998, the value of vehicles sold via Manheim's wholesale CyberLots totaled more than $216 million. Manheim also provides vehicle reconditioning and certification, an Internet-based vehicle value guide, dealer floor plan financing, dealer business software and government auction services. Manheim is a partner with the Dealer Services Division of Automatic Data Processing (ADP), offering free Internet used car listings to dealers and consumers via AutoConnect, the world's largest source of used car classified advertising (http://www.autoconnect.com ). Manheim is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc. In addition to Manheim, Cox includes Cox Newspapers, Inc., Cox Broadcasting, Inc., and publicly traded Cox Communications, Inc. and Cox Radio, Inc. . Cox Enterprises also provides online news, information and entertainment services via the Internet through Cox Interactive Media. Manheim Auctions and Manheim Online are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Cox Enterprises in the United States and/or other countries.