Manheim Auctions is shooting for a slam dunk with dealers as it tips off spring with its first-ever “Ford Fast Break 1000” sales, a series of six “mega” factory sales across the country where Ford will be offering more than 7,000 vehicles in just under six weeks.

The Ford Fast Break 1000 sales give dealers the opportunity to bid on more than 1,000 vehicles at each sale. And judging by the success of the first sale day -- more than 2,200 vehicles sold and valued at more than $26.4 million -- the sales are a high scoring game for all involved, according to Bill Tiedemann, Manheim's vice president of special operations, Ford.

Dealers will be able to choose from nearly every brand produced by Ford, including Volvo, Jaguar, Mazda, and Land Rover. In addition, Manheim and Ford will be holding both open and closed sales on the same day, rather than separate days, during the Ford Fast Break sales. In one day, dealers will be able to bid on twice as many vehicles as usually offered during the two-day open and closed factory sales.

“These cars have met Ford’s high standards of quality and reconditioning requirements, so dealers will return to their lots with front-line-ready vehicles,” Tiedemann said. “It’s an ideal time for dealers to enhance their inventory and ensure the right mix for spring, which traditionally is the strongest selling season of the year.”

Manheim kicked off Ford’s “Fast Break 1000” sales at Riverside Auto Auction in Riverside, Calif., and St. Louis Auto Auction in Bridgeton, Mo., on Feb. 8. This was the first ever Ford factory sale for Riverside and nearly 100 Ford dealers attended the closed sale. For both open and closed sales that day, Riverside hosted 1,200 dealers and ran more than 1,400 units, selling about 85 percent of that stock.

At the St. Louis Auto Auction, Manheim hosted in excess of 500 dealers. Offering more than 1,200 Ford units in the closed and open sales that day, about 87 percent of the stock was sold to about 150 buying dealers.

The other four upcoming sales will be held at:

• Ohio Auto Auction in Grove City, Ohio, on Feb. 15

• Dallas-Fort Worth Auto Auction on Feb. 21

• Metro Detroit Auto Auction in Flat Rock, Mich., on Feb. 28

• Central Florida Auto Auction in Orlando, on March 19

Dealers will also get the chance to enter their name in a random drawing to win two tickets to the NCAA Final Four. For every vehicle purchased, dealers can put their name in the hat for a chance to win. Each of the auctions also will be awarding additional prizes. In all, more than $100,000 in prizes and awards will be given away at the sales, according to Manheim officials.

About Manheim Auctions

Manheim Auctions has been involved in the wholesale automobile auction industry for more than 55 years. With locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, France, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, the company is dedicated to helping dealers succeed and to assisting auto manufacturers, fleet and lease companies, and banks sell their used car inventories efficiently and effectively.

The company also offers transaction, reconditioning and certification services, dealer floor planning, and government auction services.

Manheim Auctions is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., with more than 34,000 employees at its 126 auctions and related businesses. It is the recognized leader for wholesale and retail used car transactions on the Internet through its Manheim Interactive and AutoTrader.com lines of business.

Manheim Auctions’ corporate headquarters is in Atlanta, Ga., and its Web site is www.manheimauctions.com.