Aston Barclay strikes new two-year remarketing deal with Zenith

Aston Barclay has been appointed by Zenith as its preferred supplier of remarketing services in a new two-year contract.

The deal will see some 11,000 units from Zenith remarketed through Aston Barclay’s multiple sales channels. The remarketing company’s digital platforms played a key role in Zenith’s decision, it said.

Westbury, Wakefield and Donington will be home to the majority of future physical and online sales, expanding on its established sales programme.

Stephen Barlow, head of remarketing at Zenith, said: “Aston Barclay has been a successful remarketing partner to Zenith for over 10 years and during this time has continued to deliver market-leading results.

“The recent digital sales success achieved during the lockdown period clearly demonstrates the team’s can-do attitude which, supported by a strong technology platform, has proved to be invaluable during these unusual times.”

During lockdown, Aston Barclay’s e-Live and e-Xchange online sales platforms have seen a significant level of activity and have enabled Zenith to continue with its sales programme by utilising both virtual and bid-and-buy-now auctions.

In fact, Neil Hodson, Aston Barclay’s Group CEO, told Fleet News he had seen new account applications increase as buyers saw the benefits of buying through a digital platform, some for the first time.

More than half (60%) of buyers at Aston Barclay used vehicle auctions said in a recent survey that they would continue to buy online.

Martin Potter, Aston Barclay’s auctions MD, said: “We are pleased to secure the contract having worked with Zenith to optimise conversion rates and residual values over the past few years.

“We look forward to developing new routes to market for the duration of the contract to meet the sector’s changing dynamics.

“Zenith’s brand reputation with used car buyers and its team’s ability to make immediate decisions around provisional bids certainly supported its performance during our online lockdown sales.”