Used Car News

The big news coming out of the National Auto Auction convention last week was new industry standards for electronic condition reports and arbitration.

The association has attempted moving toward standards for both for several years. Its officers feel they finally accomplished this goal by taking a more focused approach.
Rather than having a volunteer committee create a set of standards that please all parties, the NAAA hired an outside form that developed standards that work for all parties, explained NAAA President David Angelicchio.
Another important difference his time is the association gained the support of Manheim and ADESA.
Some of this was achieved through fairly simple steps. For example, the NAAA eliminated the optional “white light” designation for a vehicle that Manheim never used.
The red, yellow, green and blue lights remain in place.
NAAA’s mission now is spreading word to the dealers about the new standards.
Information about both, including a full copy of the arbitration standards, can be viewed at NAAA.com.
Krisite Griffin, president of Greater Milwaukee Auto Auction, suggested creating a laminated poster each auction could place in its arbitration office. This would settle many dealer disputes, she said.
These new standards are increasingly important as dealers travel to more auctions to buy cars and especially as they purchase more cars online.
Online growth was demonstrated once again at this year’s convention when Manheim announced it now has more than 70 independent auctions signed up to use its OVE.com platform.
The number of buyers purchasing vehicles on OVE.com has risen 34 percent this year.
Manheim claims 30,000 unique buyers have purchased at least one vehicle using its various electronic formats, whether it is OVE.com, Manheim Simulcast or some other system.
ADESA also made news in the electronic arena by joining Auction Pipeline. That system started with mainly ServNet sales, but has grown to include ADESA and Auction Broadcasting Co.
Auction Pipeline became an NAAA affiliate member in its own right at the convention.
All this reflects the changing world of the auction business that Angelicchio will deal with in his tenure.
Outgoing President Bob McConkey, who oversaw a tumultuous year himself, said the NAAA needed to prepare for anything to happen.
“There’s just no way to predict what the future will hold,” he said.