IF you fancy delving into new areas of remarketing, the following companies may be of interest.

Remember to weigh up all the options available before picking a route for disposal.

Fleet Auction Group
Tel: 01530 833535

FLAG is the only UK-based motor auction to operate Trade Only sales, enabling fleet vendors to remarket their vehicles to pre-authorised trade buyers in a professionals-only environment.

The company is located in the central Midlands and its site is open 24/7 for vehicle collection and delivery, with stock control automated via sophisticated number plate recognition systems interfaced directly with HPI.

For trade buyers, more than 300 vehicles can be presented in the firm’s heated indoor viewing hall.

For fleets, FLAG offers a range of services including vehicle valuation, collection and valeting services, bodywork and interior restoration, internet-based stock location, and commercial vehicle auctions.

Premier Motorauctions
Tel: 0113 294 1111

THE UK’s largest independent auction company, Premier sells around 50,000 vehicles a year and has five weekly auctions from its Leeds base.

It offers a range of remarketing solutions, both physical and electronic, from collection and inspection services to refurbishment, sale and reporting.

Premier’s Custom Select product offers the ability to market ex-company vehicles direct to friends and family online, while Express Dealer sells vehicles online at a fixed price, with full vehicle images and appraisals.

Physical auctions can also be viewed and participated in online, with bidders sending in their offers to compete with those in the auction hall.

BCA
Tel: 0845 600 66 44

BCA offers a broad portfolio of remarketing services, encompassing physical auction, electronic auction, online fixed price and tender and a combination of physical and online auctions called Live Online.

As well as selling the cars, the firm also offers logistics back-up such as inspection, collection, preparation and delivery.

BCA’s service includes the DocuSafe in-life document management system, direct data feeds and instant online reporting.

There are more than 100 weekly physical auctions at 22 locations, and 10 sales a week conducted physically and online. There are daily online auctions, and regular online tenders, as well as a leasing stock channel for manufacturers and a Buy Now system for instant purchase.

Manheim
Tel: 0870 252 0430

MANHEIM is the world’s largest auction company, with 50 sales a week through 18 auction centres and three online sales channels.

It sells 500,000 vehicles a year in the UK. Support services include vehicle collection and delivery through Manheim’s own transporter fleet, a suite of inspection services and comprehensive presale preparation services.

Online bidders can compete with buyers in physical auctions, as well as through online-only auctions. Also offered are off-site auctions, sealed-bid tenders and guaranteed export sales.

Cars Direct
Tel: 0845 850 1222

CARS Direct endeavours to collect vehicles within 24 hours of the request, and subject the cars to a two-tier inspection and condition reporting procedure.

The result is a comprehensive report that details the vehicle’s specification, including and overall condition. The firm markets vehicles throughout the UK to a nationwide database of registered buyers.

The company dispenses with the premium lot numbering system used by some other firms and affords each vehicle equal billing. Buyers can therefore bid on each, or every, vehicle offered for sale.

The Cars Direct sales program allows buyers the time to bid in confidence, free from the constraints of actual attendance, the auctioneer’s temperament or the negative impact of a buying cartel.

eBay Motors Pro
Tel: 0845 358 0240

WITH worldwide success in the general auction market, eBay is branching out into the car dealership and fleet market with a classified advert service.

eBay Motors Pro offers a bulk listing service for a fixed price, and the adverts are shown to general eBay users – a potential audience of three million a month.

Users must register for a normal eBay account and then register for eBay Motors Pro. Once signed in, each vehicle’s details are automatically filled in once the Vehicle Registration Mark has been entered, and up to 12 photos can be attached free of charge.

Prices start from £150 for 100 listings a month.

JTK Automotive
Tel: 0161 932 6022

JTK Automotive focuses on electronic remarketing solutions and services.

The firm’s products – called Upstream Remarketing Modules – have been designed to improve efficiency, reduce costs and open up premium routes to market whilst reducing overall disposal days.

JTK’s Inventory De-fleet and Sales Management System has built-in performance measurement capabilities that enable fleets to analyse and report on all disposal-related costs. The Online Remarketing Modules include E-auctions, an underwriting service, branded bespoke remarketing solutions and consultancy and training on used vehicles.

First Fleet
Tel: 020 7420 0555

LAUNCHED at the beginning of 2006, First Fleet is a subsidiary of automotive logistics supplier AutoLogic.

The firm offers a ‘cradle-to-grave’ service for the life of business vehicles, including the eventual refurbishing and remarketing of them.

It currently operates centres in Doncaster and Chipping Warden, Oxfordshire, each with the capacity to handle thousands of vehicles, and with full bodyshop facilities.

Carsite
Tel: 01234 761 145

CARSITE is a relatively new ‘Fleet to Street’ fully-managed channel, aimed at enabling fleets to achieve nearer the retail value for ex-fleet vehicles.

Carsite is not a dealer; instead it claims to cut out the middle-man, so that members of the public can bid for and buy ex-fleet cars direct, over a secure online auction.

Cars are RAC inspected before going on sale, and Carsite sellers are protected from the problems and scams associated with ‘community’-based platforms.

All the consumer interaction is managed by staff at the Carsite’s dedicated handover centre.