Manheim has made a "financial investment" in The Car Group Limited, owner of the wewantanycar.com consumer car buying service.

Manheim has acquired a majority and controlling stake in The Car Group for an undisclosed sum and it will lead to a boost in the vehicles going through its sales channels.

The Car Group is based in Cannock, Staffordshire and was set up in December 2010 by car supermarket pioneer Chris Bowen, who previously owned Motorhouse 2000, which was sold in May 2013 to Available Car.

The Car Group Limited, trading as wewantanycar.com, has 60 handover locations across the UK and employs 65 people. The Car Group also purchases vans and tippers.

The Car Group will operate on a standalone basis with the existing management team and brand, led by Bowen, managing director.

Vehicles acquired by The Car Group Limited will be remarketed though Manheim, starting in December 2013.

Bowen said: “This investment by Manheim enables us to accelerate our growth and using Manheim as a remarketing partner is an obvious synergy

for both businesses. We believe that our enhanced scale will create more competition in this market, which can only be good news for consumers.”

Manheim chief executive John Bailey said: “We are investing in a great business and management team at wewantanycar.com.

"By fuelling wewantanycar.com’s growth, there will be a significant influx of quality vehicles into our auction lanes and online channels which is great news for our buyers.

“Coming on the back of our investment in software specialists Kingfisher and the EVS Online HGV business in 2013, and both Motors.co.uk and Dealer Auction in 2012, this latest acquisition once again underlines our commitment to developing our UK business.”

In May BCA bought webuyanycar.com, which operates in the same market as wewantanycar.com.