STRONG support and extremely positive reactions to Cox Automotive’s new digital stock acquisition and disposal platform, Dealer-Auction, has expanded the program and more dealers are being invited to come on board.

Dealer-Auction was launched initially in Queensland in 2019 and in NSW last year, and now is being rolled out to all states and territories.

Dealer-Auction.com.au head of dealer Scott Allen said the benefits for franchised dealers and trade buyers included the fact it is a trade-only marketplace with just a small annual subscription cost and fixed fee per vehicle.

The platform is a transparent way for dealers to list and sell trade-in stock to qualified trade buyers in a competitive marketplace. It removes any risks associated with direct wholesaling and increases profitability of vehicles by maximising returns and minimising costs.

The essence of the system is that it:

• Allows dealer groups an exclusive viewing of unwanted trades within the entire group before they are offered to the wider trade. This is especially relevant as dealer groups acquire more and more dealerships and require strict oversight of trade-in disposals across the group
• Exposes unwanted trades to a national audience of trade buyers. This drives increased competition for trades and higher returns
• Brings to dealers a significant increase in revenue from the sale of unwanted cars
• Provides a new, broader source of used-car stock at a time of increasing competition among dealers to locate suitable used cars to sell
• Rapidly disposes of unwanted cars, recovers cash faster, reduces holding costs and frees up vehicle holding spaces for more productive uses
• Brings more rigour and reduces conflicted parties within the disposal of unwanted trade-ins compared with the present ad hoc system which has, until now, persisted for want of a better solution.

Mr Allen said Dealer-Auction had become an even more popular alternative to traditional vehicle wholesaling during COVID-19, with website activity and the number of vehicles available increasing each month as new dealers and wholesalers signed up.

He said an increasing number of dealers were embracing online sales channels as part of their wholesaling and stock sourcing strategy.

“As the automotive industry assesses the impacts of COVID, a digital-only solution such as the Dealer-Auction platform has never been more pertinent,” he said.

“With this expansion both franchised and wholesale dealers right across Australia can now take advantage of this proven online auction platform,” he said.

“Franchised dealers can now offer stock to qualified trade buyers, while independent dealers and qualified wholesalers have exclusive access to previously unavailable franchise dealer stock, offered in time-based online auctions that can run 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Dealer-Auction.com.au is supported by a team of motor industry people with extensive dealership experience. They support buyers and sellers throughout the entire process. Specialist negotiators are used to help to close sales on vehicles that don’t meet reserve.

Registrations are now open and the Dealer-Auction team is looking forward to welcoming dealers on board.

By Neil Dowling