EASTBOURNE Car Auctions is to expand its operations dramatically in the next few years in a partnership deal, the start of which has began with the opening of a new centre in Guildford. The deal has been struck with South East Marts which has given ECA a lease to operate on a site in Moorfield Road previously occupied by Guildford Car Auctions. Under the partnership the site will trade as Southern Car Auctions (Guildford) Ltd.

However, within 18 months it is envisaged that the business will relocate to a purpose-built 15-acre auction centre within the area, subject to planning permission and jointly financed. ECA also says it will expand its operations to a South East Marts' site in Luton and build a new site on green field land in Tame next year.

The aim is to have one of these sites running in the first half of 1999. ECA is looking to expand by two sites each year through a mixture of developing South East Marts four additional auction centres and building new ones. The range of vehicles sold will widen to include 4x4s, plant, commercial vehicles and fire appliances.