San Francisco (January 25, 2019) – By using Manheim’s first-of-its-kind Lot Vision tracking technology, locating nearly eight million vehicles registered annually at its physical auctions just got a whole lot easier. Lot Vision is a GPS-based wireless device placed in a vehicle’s on-board diagnostics port that reports its whereabouts within ten feet on a Manheim lot, reducing the typical search time from hours to minutes.
Across Manheim’s physical sites spanning more than 6,500 acres, each vehicle is moved five to six times on average as it passes through service areas such as reconditioning, inspections and sale-day staging, making it a challenge to quickly find some units. In 2018 alone, the company moved vehicles 40 million times.
“Lot Vision revolutionizes vehicle management at Manheim and strengthens our capability to take vehicle tracking to the next level,” said Grace Huang, president of Cox Automotive Inventory Solutions. “It’s a game-changer for us and our clients, creating the types of efficiencies needed to enhance business results.”
It’s easy for dealers and transporters to use Lot Vision. They input a work order number and activate “Location Services” on a smart phone or tablet to pinpoint their exact vehicle location and a directional path to it. For vehicles without an on-board diagnostic port, trackers are attached to the steering wheel. In addition to making it simpler to find vehicles, Lot Vision speeds up vehicle processing and improves the client experience.
Lot Vision is a win-win for all:
After extensive testing last year, Lot Vision is now in place at Manheim Toronto, Manheim West Palm Beach and Manheim Fort Lauderdale. By the end of the first quarter, Lot Vision will be available at four additional sites, including Manheim Orlando, one of the company’s largest locations. Lot Vision will expand to other Manheim sites nationwide this year.
The company created Lot Vision partially in response to feedback from dealer clients. When asked about vehicle tracking technology, nearly all said they would embrace the innovation. Many stated they were eager to use it, with almost 90 percent finding the concept valuable and looking forward to having more confidence in their ability to locate vehicles, saving time and experiencing less hassles.
“Lot Vision is the latest example of how we are continuing to enhance our clients’ experience,” said Huang. “Our team members and partners will now be able to identify – with pinpoint accuracy – each vehicle’s location and journey within various areas of the facility, such as reconditioning,” added Huang.
Cox2M, Cox Communications new connected asset services business line, collaborated with Manheim to develop the GPS tracking hardware that powers Lot Vision. Manheim is Cox2M’s first customer to use this new technology and, when fully deployed, represents the largest LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) commercial IoT deployment in North America.
As Lot Vision’s technology extends beyond Manheim lots, dealer clients such as Sonic Automotive and U.S. Auto Sales are now piloting this solution at a few dealerships. Other clients interested in this solution can work directly with Cox2M.
About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim® is North America's leading provider of end-to-end wholesale solutions that help dealer and commercial clients increase profits in their used vehicle operations. Through its physical, mobile and digital sales network, Manheim offers services for inventory management, buying and selling, floor planning, logistics, assurance and reconditioning. With its omni-channel approach, Manheim Marketplace enables wholesale vehicle clients more efficient ways to connect and transact business how and when they want. Approximately 18,000 team members help Manheim offer 8 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing nearly $58 billion in value. Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim North America is a Cox Automotive™ brand. For more information, visit http://press.manheim.com
About Cox2M
Cox2M is an Internet of Things (IoT) business line within Cox Communications that provides complete asset tracking and monitoring solutions. Purpose-designed sensors collect data from a variety of connected assets (everything from cars to power lines), enabling you to track, monitor, and manage both mobile and fixed assets at an industry-leading price-point. For more information, visit www.cox2m.com.
