Manheim is to adapt its six-acre site in Coventry to become a dedicated auction centre for HGVs, and is set to open in January 2017.

James Davis, Manheim’s director of commercial vehicles, said: “We have experienced significant growth in the volume of both vans and trucks being offered in our sales channels, which have now reached record levels.

“In order to continue to provide our clients with the most effective HGV remarketing solution, we will develop our Coventry auction centre into a dedicated facility to give both vendors and buyers the greatest possible experience.”

Manheim can trace its commercial vehicle auction roots back to 1921 and it says this development cements its commitment to the commercial vehicle market in the UK.

It will consolidate its fortnightly HGV sales programme from across England into the centre in Coventry, introducing a weekly sales programme. However, it will continue to sell commercial vehicles at its Shotts auction centre to support the Scottish market.

So far in 2016, Manheim has seen 74% of trucks selling to online buyers, and nine out of ten vehicles offered received at least one online bid, so the demand from the online buyer audience is very strong.

Manheim’s Coventry HGV auction centre will deliver a new electronic inspection system and high-resolution imagery of vehicles

Complementing the weekly truck auction programme will be a fortnightly plant auction and a monthly specialist sale for bus and coach product.

Tim Hudson, managing director of Inventory Solutions at Cox Automotive UK, said: “We have seen incredible growth in our commercial vehicle volumes and have undertaken a strategic review to ensure that we continue to deliver the best remarketing proposition to our clients.

“Adapting our Coventry site into a dedicated HGV auction centre, combined with our unrivalled vendor and buyer base, will provide our clients with a fantastic buying and selling experience.”