ATLANTA — Manheim held an opening ceremony for a new 70,000-square-foot Honda vehicle distribution center at its National Auto Dealers Exchange location in Bordentown, N.J., last week, reported AutoRemarketing.

Manheim's president and chief executive officer, Dean Eisner, was joined by executives from American Honda Finance Corp. at the ribbon-cutting, including Steve Smith, senior vice president; Harry Thompson, senior manager; and Dave Langley, manager of vehicle remarketing.

The NADE auction location has served as a facility for off-lease Honda vehicles from the Northeast since 2004. The new NADE Distribution Center and 35-acre land parcel — adjacent to the existing auction location — will improve operational efficiencies and increase capacity, executives said.

NADE General Manager Pete Sauber said Honda is expected to send 30,000 to 35,000 vehicles through the facility in 2007.

"Manheim is proud to work with an industry leader such as Honda on this innovative new distribution center," Eisner said. "Manheim's expertise in inspections and repairs — as well as our online sales capabilities — will provide real value for Honda as it remarkets off-lease vehicles from the Northeast."

Features of the distribution center include a paint and body shop, detail lanes, mechanical bays, paintless dent repair and glass replacement bays and office space for 35 employees.

Sauber said the work performed at the distribution center will help Honda remarket retail-ready off-lease vehicles quickly.

"When Honda brings their off-lease vehicles to the distribution center, we inspect the vehicles and perform enhancements and repairs," Sauber said. "While the vehicles are here on site, they are available for sale on OVE.com. Then we distribute them to Honda sales at wholesale auctions across the country."