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Manheim and BCA go online-only for auctions

Manheim and BCA are both taking action to temporarily switch auctions to online-only sales to help with Covid-19 social distancing measures.

Both BCA and Manheim are going online-only for sales

BCA sales go online-only from next Thursday 26 March and will only be accessible through BCA Live Online and the BCA Buyer app, with no physical buyer attendance at sales anywhere in the BCA network.

Stuart Pearson, BCA COO UK remarketing, said “We remain committed to providing customers with access to our market-leading remarketing services, offering buyers the best choice of stock and sellers a range of remarketing platforms to meet their needs. In the current circumstances, we believe this will be best done digitally to prioritise the well-being of customers and our people alike.”

Customers can still pay for vehicles at their local BCA auction centre but BCA can email the invoice with payment instructions to pay online.

Buyers can continue to collect vehicles from their local auction centre, with BCA advising customers to contact the auction centre in advance to check the arrangements.

Manheim has also taken the decision that buyers will only be able to purchase physical auction vehicles via its online Simulcast platform on a temporary basis from Monday 23 March; neither account holders or members of the public will be permitted onsite to view or bid on vehicles. It’s also waived the additional Simulcast buyer fee to aid the transition to digital.

Martin Forbes, CEO of Cox Automotive UK, commented: “These are unprecedented times. We believe that this change is the right thing to do (as a temporary measure) to ensure the health, safety and well-being of our employees, customers and partners. Like all businesses, we are trying to navigate our way through the challenges presented by Covid-19. We are monitoring the advice from the UK government, and following their recommended actions. We are also working closely with customers and communicating our plans to help them keep trading with us in a safe manner.”

At each auction centre, there will be a controlled ‘handover’ location for any physical paperwork/payment exchange and for vehicle collection.

In addition to the physical auction programme, Manheim is running more ‘virtual’ auctions and online-only events to increase the amount of stock available to purchase. Manheim’s Vendor Online also enables vendors to attend online and put vehicles on sale as if there in person.

Forbes added: “We are closely monitoring this fast-developing situation and will continue to act in the most appropriate way for our employees, customers, and partners in line with the UK government’s guidelines.”

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.

2 Comments

  • g southern24. Mar, 2020

    all this but we wont be able to have or collect the cars now ?

    • Natalie Middleton24. Mar, 2020

      Hi there, both companies are still offering physical handovers, backed no doubt by meticulous cleaning and hygiene measures.

      Thanks,

      Fleet World