CD Auction Group offers lockdown support to used car dealers

CD Auction Group has axed listing and sellers fees on its dealer-to-dealer Vehicle Tradex platform in a bid to support car dealers keen to re-stock their forecourts during COVID-19 ‘Lockdown 3’.

The remarketing business has said that the support will remain in place for the foreseeable future to enable dealers to source and sell stock efficiently.

Using CD Auctions’ Vehicle Tradex platform, dealers seeking to sell cars can choose to list the vehicle from their own forecourt, and an independent inspector will appraise and image the vehicle within 48 hours.

Vendors can also decide to send the vehicle to a CD Auction site where it will be cleaned, inspected and imaged before the sale. Vendors benefit from 28 days of free storage.

Andy Pearce, operations director at CD Auction Group, said: "Dealers are still struggling to find quality stock, and we have put in place this support package to help them manage the process digitally.

“As the experts in digital remarketing, we believe we are uniquely placed to help dealers through these challenging times."

Under CD Auctions’ support package, the only fees dealers will face is a £50 fee if they withdraw the vehicle before sale.

Earlier this month Motorway, the online used car marketplace for privately-owned stock, launched unlimited half price vehicle transport for dealers throughout the month of February.

James Bush, sales director at Motorway, said: “With the UK still in lockdown and no clear end in sight, it’s not been an easy start to the year for dealers looking to restock their forecourts, and transport is an ongoing issue.

“We’re constantly looking at ways to support our dealer community and we hope this February promotion helps alleviate any immediate transport concerns and will save all our dealers a lot of money too.”

Online marketing provider heycar, meanwhile, has reported that its offer of free vehicle deliveries back in November has now seen deliveries approaching 90,000 miles - more than treble the earth’s circumference of 24,901 miles.

Under the support, dealers that fulfil a delivery request for a customer have their expenses reimbursed by heycar – saving car-buyers up to £499.

Now heycar has launched a new offer, with every customer who activates heycar’s concierge service throughout February qualifying for a £50 prepaid fuel card.

Karen Hilton, heycar’s chief commercial officer, said: “As the nation went into its second nationwide lockdown in November we were quick to respond with our free delivery service.

“It’s allowed us to keep leads flowing to dealers, helping them to trade more confidently through these challenging times while providing customers with peace of mind.”