ATLANTA – Manheim’s
leadership team today signaled their full support for the National Auto Auction
Association (NAAA) and its National Certification Standard (NCS) Program, set
to debut Jan. 1, 2011.
David Munnikhuysen, vice president,
strategic initiatives, said Manheim intends to fully adopt the standards, which
create for the first time a uniform system for the wholesale certification of
used vehicles traded at NAAA member auctions. Munnikhuysen also is a member of
the NAAA committee that will monitor the performance of the NCS program
throughout the country.
“Everyone wins with the implementation
of these easy-to-use certification standards,” Munnikhuysen said. “By scoring
vehicles according to carefully selected criteria, auctions will ensure buyers
and sellers have a clear method for comparing inventory anywhere or anytime,
whether it’s in-lane or online.”
“Manheim will be fully ready to
implement the new certification standards,” he said. “This new level of
transparency only serves to promote more trust and confidence among auctions,
buyers and sellers. It’s beneficial to our industry and our customers.”
Using the new NCS program, vehicles will
be scored on such things as exterior condition, mechanical operation, mileage
and other criteria. Their score will determine if vehicles fall into one of
three tiers or condition levels:
- Platinum: Exceptional overall cosmetic and mechanical conditioning; the highest quality vehicle
- Gold: Cosmetically and mechanically sound overall; very good condition for model year and mileage
- Silver: Primarily a mechanical guarantee with some minimal cosmetic issues; average condition for model year and mileage
Mike Broe, executive vice president,
U.S. Operations, Manheim, said wholesale certification can be confusing for dealers
who buy used vehicles at auctions, because some sellers have their own
certification criteria. What may pass for one auction’s gold standard may not
measure up to the gold standard of others. “The NCS program removes any
ambiguities,” said Broe. “By setting the bar with 48 standard criteria and
three certification levels, a buyer now will have good idea about what they’re
buying at auction.”
“This is critical, since today’s
auctions provide buyers and sellers with inventory options around the clock,”
Broe said. “When you buy something new online, you know what you’re getting.
But when you buy something used, you need pictures, you need a comfort level
that you’re getting a vehicle as advertised. I’m proud that NAAA and our
industry as a whole have stepped up to standardize this process for everyone’s
benefit.”
Manheim’s adoption of the standards
remains in line with its mission to make the remarketing process as seamless as
possible for its customers by ensuring accuracy and consistency across all physical
locations and online channels.
About
Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim
is the world’s leading provider of vehicle remarketing services. Through its
130 worldwide wholesale operating locations, Manheim impacts every stage of a
used vehicle’s life cycle, helping commercial sellers and automobile dealers
maximize the full value of their vehicles. Drawing from its auction
transaction volume, Manheim Consulting publishes the annual Used Car Market
Report, the definitive source of data for the used car industry. Manheim
Consulting offers a wide range of services including custom analytics, business
optimization and macro economic analysis.
Manheim
is the online vehicle remarketing leader, connecting buyers and sellers to the
world’s largest, most comprehensive wholesale marketplace through its extensive
in-lane and online offerings. Manheim.com receives nearly 900,000 visits
each week.
Additionally,
Manheim offers services including reconditioning, certification, inspections,
dealer financing, title management and marshaling, among others. Through
its wide array of services and technologies, industry publications, customer
support and educational offerings, Manheim gives its customers maximum control over
how they buy and sell vehicles, helping them to conduct business in the most
efficient way possible. In 2009, Manheim handled nearly 10 million used
vehicles, facilitating transactions worth more than $50 billion in value.
Headquartered
in Atlanta, Georgia, Manheim is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, a leading
communications, media and automotive services company.
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