G3 is pressing ahead with plans for a £12m auction and refurbishment site, intended to create the UK’s most interactive vehicle marketplace.

G3’s new 14-acre site is scheduled to open in January 2021 and is intended to create the UK’s most interactive vehicle marketplace

While the pandemic has seen remarketing firms en masse shift temporarily to online solutions, G3 says it still very much embraces a “clicks and brick” approach due to the portfolio of stock it specialises in.

Once completed in January 2021, the new purpose-built facility – located off Junction 32 of the M62 in Yorkshire – is intended to “eclipse the majority of existing auction centres with technology-driven solutions engaging physical attendees as soon as they set foot in the building”.

The 14-acre site will have the capacity to annually remarket 50,000 vehicles, more than doubling the capacity on the current 4-acre site.

The pre-sale process is supported by an entirely new AI ‘drive-through’ vehicle inspection systems using 20+ cameras to inspect up to 85 vehicles per hour. This will be further enhanced by new multi-turntable imaging studios, specifically designed, and lit to enhance car and LCV assets.

G3 will also provide extensive onsite de-fleet and refurbishment facilities with a new 14,000sq ft centre located adjacent to the main remarketing hub.

It will feature up to 250 EV fast-charge points to support the expected demand for electric and hybrid vehicle remarketing, whilst incorporating eco-friendly credentials with solutions such as solar power and water recycling.

The location is strategically located within the M1, M62, A1 triangle; chosen for its easy access from across the north and beyond with its excellent transport links.

An upcoming buyer’s and vendor app will enhance the entire buying process at G3. Underpinning the whole remarketing process will be significant technology upgrades developed over the last 18 months by the in-house team.

Joint managing director Matt Dale said: “Whilst there has been a seismic shift to online-only auctions in reaction to the events of this year, we truly believe that a mix of digital and physical solutions will be essential to supporting the automotive trade long into the future and that’s exactly why we’re investing heavily to create a true omni-channel experience to seamlessly merge both in our ever-changing industry.”

“Everything we’re building is customer-centric, so it’s been imperative to us throughout the design process that we really harness the essence of what has made our G3 auction events so popular in recent years.  The centre will be packed with technology that has genuine purpose to help us open the best remarketing, refurbishment & asset management experience anywhere in the UK.”

G3 Vehicle Auctions has also created interactive 360° Virtual Reality tours to highlight the key elements of the new centre and have distributed over 1,000 branded Google Cardboard VR headsets to selected partners across the industry today, you can request your own on the G3 website.