The new two-lane auction centre, located near Malpensa Airport, will host a regular programme of auctions starting in April.

Manheim Italy’s current customers include BMW, Avis, Maggiore Rental, GE Fleet, VW Financial Services and Unicredit. The site will be equipped with Simulcast technology, ensuring that each auction gets online buyer exposure throughout Continental Europe.

Although car auctions are responsible for a small percentage of the overall wholesale market compared with the UK and US,  they are growing in popularity in Italy, according to Manheim. However in this market they operate exclusively for trade markets, with no private buyers allowed access into the auctions.

Manheim says it sees this latest investment as a key piece of the jigsaw in creating a broad range of remarketing and retail support services in Continental Europe. Other recent investments include the opening of a second dedicated auction centre in Germany as well as the roll-out of mobile auction units that support "off-site" auctions across Continental Europe from any defleet or remarketing centre.

David Mercer, managing director, Manheim, Continental Europe said: 'This new auction centre near Milan will help Manheim to meet the expectations of its growing number of customers in Italy and has been established in direct response to the growing demand for the expansion of our specialist remarketing services. We have developed a highly flexible remarketing strategy in Continental Europe which will be augmented by some exciting new developments later in the year.'