A NEW auction company will begin selling ex-fleet cars in July having launched specialising in selling Japanese grey imports. Although CarAuctionsUK.com, based at Donington Exhibition Centre, plans to sell 10,000 new and imported cars over the next year, it is in discussion with 'major' leasing and fleet companies to sell fleet cars.

The company is led by Japanese car importer Tim Charlesworth, a member of the British Independent Motor Traders, who launched the company 'out of sheer frustration' with the established auctions, including British Car Auctions, which refused to act as distribution outlets. CarAuctionsUK.com hopes to build up its business to include weekly fleet sales. Andrew Walker, company spokesman, said: 'Agreements have been made with major leasing companies for a series of exclusive sales each offering between 200 and 300 vehicles.'

The commercial sales will also begin in July on a twice-monthly basis with about 200 vehicles. Imports include Honda, Subaru, Mazda, Nissan, Isuzu, Mitsubishi and Toyotas. The first batch went on sale on May 3, when 200 of the 250 cars on offer were sold for a total of £2 million.

Charlesworth approached BCA last year to sell about 300 grey imports.