Manheim’s Florida Auto Auction of Orlando said it had notable Simulcast success at its recent three-day Anniversary Sale, accepting nearly 2,600 online bids and selling over 400 vehicles online. The sale proved to be the greatest success for Simulcast since its inception.

“We are very pleased with the number of dealers who placed online bids,” said Toni Robinson, Simulcast manager for Florida Auto Auction of Orlando. “Our success with Simulcast proves, once again, that Manheim’s commitment to technology makes the auction process simple and enjoyable for dealers.”

Simulcast is Manheim’s online system that allows used car dealers to bid remotely on and electronically buy vehicles as they are moving through the auction lanes.

The first sale, a closed General Motors sale held on July 7, sold 58 vehicles online. Fifty-five online dealers placed more than 370 bids. The following day, 244 online dealers placed more than 800 bids at an open sale that sold 139 vehicles via Simulcast. On the final day, 50 online dealers placed more than 1,400 online bids at a closed Chrysler sale. More than 200 vehicles were sold to online dealers, according to the company.

“Simulcast is quickly catching on for dealers,” said Joe Luppino, vice president and chief operating officer for Manheim Interactive. “At the rate it’s growing, Simulcast could become the most successful Internet buying service available to dealers by year’s end, if not before.”

Manheim says it currently has 187 lanes at 38 auctions operating on Simulcast, with more than 20 consignors, including both dealers and commercial accounts, selling vehicles on the system. Luppino estimates are that by the end of August, Simulcast will be installed in 217 lanes at 48 Manheim auctions. Simulcast has attracted more than 7,500 dealers into the auction lanes via the Internet.

About Manheim Auctions

Manheim Auctions offers services that impact every stage of a used vehicle’s life cycle. These include transaction, reconditioning and certification services, managed remarketing, end-of-lease-term management services, vehicle transportation, dealer floor planning, retail inspection and government auction services. The company also assists auto manufacturers, fleet and

lease companies, banks and other financial institutions in selling their used vehicle inventories.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc., Manheim Auctions has more than 32,000 employees at its 124 auctions and related businesses. Manheim is a global remarketing organization with 85 auctions in North America and additional operations in the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Australia and New Zealand. In the year 2002, the company auctioned 9.6 million vehicles at its North American auctions.