Volkswagen UK has formed a partnership with auctioneer Manheim’s Vehicle Remarketing Solutions (VRS) subsidiary to handle more than 60,000 defleeted vehicles up to January 2009.

The complex technology will continue to be developed throughout the period of the contract.

An aggressive drive for business by VW has resulted in larger volumes of cars on short rental agreements that need to go into the brand’s dealer network. VRS is also placing units from Volkswagen’s own fleet when they are replaced.

VW’s remarketing contract was previously with QEK, which is owned by American Roger Penske’s United Auto’s group.

Mike Pilkington, Manheim’s chief operating officer, says this is the first collaboration of its kind, made possible by advances in technology. Computer links with VW retailers enables VRS to track which models they are selling, see traffic on websites and monitor stock.

“Everything in the industry is driven by retail and we have raised the bar in the way stock is located,” says Pilkington. “It’s all about getting the right cars to the right dealers at the right time.”

Stephen Connor, VW UK’s used cars operations manager, says: “Both companies have worked hard to develop a model for a programme that’s innovative in thinking and scale.”