CD Auction has resumed its operations with immediate effect, backed by rising industry interest in digital-only sales.

CD Auction will restart its regular programme of weekly sales from Monday 18 May

The online-only vehicle auction business ran an affiliate site sale for Dawsongroup Van Rental on 12 May that attracted strong interest and had an excellent conversion rate and CAP performance. As a result, CD Auction reopened as of Wednesday 13 May, with limited staff.

It will hold a commercial sale on Thursday 14 May and a car sale on Friday 15 May, marketing vehicles that were due to be offered before lockdown. Its regular programme of weekly sales will restart on the week commencing 18 May.

CD Salvage Auction is also holding a sale this week with an ongoing regular programme of weekly sales now in place. The company reports that early interest from salvage buyers is strong.

Andy Brown, managing director at CD Auction Group, said: “We are taking a measured approach to unroll the measures we took through the lockdown. As the industry begins to return to normal, we will gradually increase the frequency and scope of sales to ensure our vendors and buyers have the services they need.

“As a digital-first auction business, we are well placed to quickly scale our operations while observing the social distancing and safety guidelines set out by the Government.”

The business also expects to see rising interest from dealers in accessing its digital online-only sales from mobile devices. This accounted for 45% of all bids over the last 12 months and, supported by a new app launched earlier this year, Brown said he expects sales through digital channels via mobile devices to account for over 60% volumes for the rest of 2020 and continue to grow as buyers seek remote solutions.

Brown added: “We also anticipate that more vendors will look to our off-site service to limit the movement of vehicles and exposure of people supporting the remarketing supply chain.”