NEW ORLEANS – In the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, Sonic Automotive, one of the nation’s top three auto retailers, continues to be at the forefront in terms of technology and efficiency. Looking for a better way to represent or “rep” their vehicles at auction, Sonic Automotive recently teamed up with Manheim to seek a solution. Through their ongoing partnership and working closely with Sonic’s remarketing sales teams to get a better understanding of the current selling process, Manheim recommended Remote Seller.
Remote Seller gives Sonic’s Retail Trade Center the ability to rep cars remotely from Sonic’s centralized location in Charlotte, N.C. This allows Sonic to buy and sell vehicles at the same time, at the same auction. This streamlined process has reduced travel costs, minimized lost time, and increased efficiencies, all of which has all led to an improved conversion rate and increased retention.
“We’ve been searching for better ways to reduce cost, save time and increase our sales percentages, and we believe we have found the best path for Sonic” said Hal McLarty, Sonic vice president. “Being able to use the Remote Seller tool, along with the pricing resources such as Manheim Market Report (MMR) and Kelley Blue Book, we are selling nearly 95 percent of our vehicles in a much faster and efficient way that leads to a more profitable business model.”
The Sonic teams control all aspects of a sale, including approvals and counter offers, and they are able to send instant messages to the auction block and to bidders in real time. The process gives Sonic much better quality control while simultaneously allowing them to leverage their inventory and maintain detailed management inventory at their 100-plus dealerships across 14 states.
“Delivering solutions to customers that save time and help them compete better, makes our jobs truly rewarding,” said Susie Heins, Manheim vice president, dealer sales. “We value our relationship with Sonic and look forward to identifying other ways we can deliver new and different solutions to help them grow their business.”
In addition to using the Remote Seller tool, Sonic has re-signed a long-term, exclusive partnership with Manheim that consolidates its business from competing locations to Manheim locations.
About Manheim (www.manheim.com)
Manheim is the leading global provider of vehicle remarketing services, connecting buyers and sellers of used vehicles to the largest wholesale used-vehicle marketplace. The company helps dealer and commercial customers achieve results by providing physical and digital auction channels, data analysis, financing, transportation and mobile products and solutions.
Manheim pioneered in-lane vehicle auctions and has been an innovator in both digital and mobile auction platforms. Manheim registers nearly 8 million used vehicles annually, facilitating transactions representing more than $50 billion in value. Manheim’s research and consulting arm, Manheim Consulting, provides industry-leading market intelligence and publishes the widely recognized annual Used Car Market Report. The company offers dealer financing though NextGear Capital, Inc., and transportation services through Ready Auto Transport.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Manheim has more than 20,000 employees in 107 worldwide sites and generates annual revenues of more than $2.5 billion. A subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Manheim participates in “Go Green with Manheim,” the company’s sustainability program.