CARMEL, Ind. — ADESA (div. KAR Auction Services Inc.) announced the deployment of VirtuaLane auctions in 20 North American locations. VirtuaLane is a live, in-lane auction experience that was designed to create a virtual marketplace for customers at physical ADESA auction locations.

“At ADESA, we continue to invest in creating a more seamless, efficient customer experience with safety as a priority,” said John Hammer, president of ADESA. “By partnering with major automotive brands such as American Honda Finance Corp. and others, we have successfully launched VirtuaLane — a modernized, safe, in-lane auction experience.”

Dealer customers attending a VirtuaLane sale participate in the same bidding process as in a traditional in-lane auction. However, instead of cars physically driving through the auction lanes, big-screen monitors showcase the vehicle and its features during bidding. Before bidding begins, customers can view the vehicle in person while it is parked at the ADESA auction location. Just as with traditional ADESA auctions, customers have access to detailed condition reports, photos, valuation tools, and transportation for purchased vehicles, all according to the announcement.

“We wanted to ensure customers are getting the full physical auction experience while substantially reducing the risk of potential accidents associated with cars driving through the auction lanes,” said Mike Caggiano, ADESA’s Eastern regional vice president. “As the company that created the most widely used auction industry safety standards training program, Safe T. Sam, our customers were eager to partner with us and expand in a relatively short time. And we have plans to add even more locations in the coming months.”