INCHCAPE Automotive is set to massively expand its online auction sales over the next year, following increasing demand for its web-based sales.

Under its remarketing arm, which has changed its names from Inchcape Automotive Remarketing Services to Inchcape Automotive Remarketing Management, the firm expects to increase its disposals management from 25,000 cars this year to more than 30,000 units in 2005.

David Rathband, operations director of Inchcape Automotive Remarketing Management (IARM), said: ‘We have built up a fantastic reputation among the used car buying community for offering top-quality vehicles.

‘Whether vehicles are nearly new/low mileage or ex-company cars with 70,000 miles on the clock, buyers know they are cars they can trust.

‘From next year, photographs of all cars available will be carried alongside vehicle descriptions on our stock locator. It is a combination of the electronic technology now available, the trust we have built up with our customer base and the desire to maximise vendor routes to market that will see electronic auctions launched next year.

‘I expect the first electronic sale to be held in January and after that we will feature a range of both closed and open sales on behalf of our clients as well as IARM’s own sales.’ Current clients include Alfa Romeo, Alphabet GB, Bank of Scotland Vehicle Finance, Fiat, Inchcape Fleet Solutions, Mazda and MG Rover, although, as part of its ambitious expansion policy, the firm is looking to add to that portfolio.

IARM claims a trade buyer database in excess of 4,000 franchised and independent dealers. In addition, it reckons there will also be healthy demand from within Inchcape’s own UK dealer network, comprising 70 retail dealerships.

Henley Autodata has highlighted the best and worst performing cars for future residual values in its winter survey. It claims that the most impressive newly-launched models for holding their value will be the Audi A4, Land Rover Discovery, Ford Focus and SEAT Altea, while the diesel versions of the BMW X5 are the best overall – retaining 67% of their value after three years/60,000.

Among the worst were the Daewoo Nubira, Citroen C4 and Fiat Idea.