Aston Barclay rules out an online car retailing platform

Aston Barclay has confirmed it will never sell used cars to consumers in competition with its dealer customers, following the launch of rival firm BCA’s new cinch offering.

The independent remarketing firm re-iterated its position to continue to support its dealer customers with access to the best wholesale stock.

Martin Potter, Aston Barclay’s MD – customer, said: “Dealers can rest assured we will never sell used cars to consumers in direct competition with our dealers. We will always be a trusted remarketing partner that provides dealers with access to the best cross section of wholesale car and van stock.”

BCA was accused of “opening Pandora’s Box” by shifting its cinch marketing platform to compete directly with its car retail customers for online sales, in October.

The remarketing giant triggered anger and debate across the sector with what has been described as a “below the radar” launch of a direct-to-consumer car retail offering promising home delivery and a 14-day money back guarantee with a stock of more than 4,000 vehicles.

Aston Barclay, meanwhile, says it is further supporting its customers with a new tiered buyer fee structure, which aims to add further transparency to its dealer buyer fees and the more cars they buy the more they will benefit from reduced fees. Savings of up to 7% are available when compared with its two largest competitors.

The business has also announced it will continue to run a full digital car and van sales programme from Thursday, while all six physical auctions will be shut for physical viewings from Wednesday evening.

It will also re-introduce its Covid-safe car collection appointment service from its six physical sites as well as continue with its own collection and delivery service.

“We aim to provide the best value possible value for dealers when buying cars in the wholesale market, particularly during these uncertain times,” explained Potter. “Our new structure provides total transparency and rewards those dealers that are buying more cars with lower fees.”

Aston Barclay was able to rapidly shift to a digital-only remarketing model in April, following the March coronavirus lockdown. This was possible as a result of its continued investment in digital technology and existing electronic auction platform. Now, its says some auctions may remain digital forever.