A new service offered through a collaboration between CAP and Portfolio Europe – part of the remarketing giant Manheim – is set to benefit the used motor retail sector by supplying dealers with data on buying trends from thousands of sales in the industry as a whole.

Named Dealer Advantage, it is available to customers of Portfolio Europe. Users can choose a series of reports each month that are designed to enable dealers to make informed buying decisions by presenting them with precise market information.

Data includes current average trade prices paid for stock and the average duration any particular model remains in stock, to the retail screen prices of every comparable car in the user’s franchise network. Also offered are reports detailing current retail trends, including which models, derivatives and colours retail customers are looking for.

Mike Pilkington, Portfolio Europe’s managing director, says the service will offer a competitive edge to used car retailers.

“Used car operations are becoming increasingly important for franchised dealers and can be a very profitable area of the business,” says Pilkington. “Dealer Advantage will give used car managers the information they need to buy more effectively.”

Daren Wiseman, CAP managing editor, says the collaboration has built a unique product which directly answers franchised used dealers’ questions. “It will give any user a clear edge on their stocking, purchase and retail pricing decision, as well as the benefit of seeing precisely how their performance compares with the rest of their network,” he says.