Manheim has secured a preferred supplier remarketing partnership with Zenith until 2021.

In what is believed to be an industry first for an LCV fleet vendor in the UK, Zenith’s de-fleeted vans will be sold using a digital-first approach.

All vehicles will be advertised online using Manheim’s buy now and bid now functionality, while the physical auction network will be used tactically to support the online sales channels.

As well as avoiding unnecessary movement costs, said Manheim, this digital first solution ensures the largest possible active buyer audience, highest sale values and optimum speed of sale.

As part of the deal, Manheim will collect the vans and take them to a dedicated CV auction centre. Within 24 hours of arrival, the vans will have branding removed, valeted, inspected, and photographed using 360 degree turntables to ensure that online buyers get a full and accurate overview of vehicle condition.

Manheim will price the vans and list them for sale online. All Zenith vans will also carry the Manheim SureCheck, a 41 point mechanical check that aims to give buyers a seven-day assurance period.

Supporting the online sales programme, Manheim will offer rolling physical auctions across its dedicated CV centres at Gloucester, Haydock and Shepshed, where both physical and online buyers will have the opportunity to bid for Zenith stock. These auctions will feature Manheim’s ‘virtual lane’ service, where buyers in the hall bid based on detailed photographs and an inspection report if a vehicle is not stored at the site they are at. 

Peter Bell, managing director of Manheim said: “We have had a successful partnership with Zenith since 2017, and I am delighted that we will continue working together for a further two years.

“Over recent years we have seen impressive online sales growth in our commercial vehicle business, and this deal is testament to our ability to design and deliver innovative end-to-end solutions that deliver on our customers’ objectives. We look forward to seeing our relationship with Zenith go from strength-to-strength.”

Steve Barlow, head of remarketing at Zenith, added: “Over our two year partnership, we’ve been impressed by the service, focus and expertise of Manheim’s CV team. With this deal, Manheim has listened to our requirements and designed a unique hybrid remarketing solution that combines the benefits of physical and digital auction”.