This new auction centre will serve Belgium, The Netherlands and Luxembourg – markets in which Manheim says that physical car auctions are growing in popularity even if they currently account for only a small percentage of the overall market, compared with the UK and the US. However they only operate for trade markets, with no private buyers allowed access into the sales.

Jonathan Holland, business development director, Manheim, Continental Europe, said: 'The new auction centre in Antwerp is a direct response to the growing demand in Belgium and adjoining countries for the expansion of our remarketing services. As the world’s largest automotive services company, Manheim sees this latest investment as a key piece of the jigsaw in creating a broad range of remarketing and retail support services in Europe and I am confident that our presence in the Belgian market and adjoining countries will grow in the years to come.'

Manheim's first auction in Belgium is due to be held on Wednesday 21 April. More than 200 vehicles will be offered from manufacturers, leasing companies and part-exchange vehicles from dealer groups

Manheim Belgium’s current customers include manufacturers such as BMW, Chrysler, Citroen, Fiat, Jeep, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Peugeot and Renault as well as leasing companies such as Arval, Athlon Exelease and LeasePlan.

In addition to serving the Belgian, Netherlands and Luxembourg markets, Manheim Belgium also sells into Poland, Romania and other Eastern European countries, and to that end Manheim Belgium staff can speak Dutch, English, French, Flemish, German, Greek, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Romanian, Russian and Spanish.