25 Jun 2018 Group 1 Automotive Appoints Aston Barclay as Remarketing Partner
Group 1 Automotive has appointed Aston Barclay as the remarketing partner for its Beadles, Advantage Cars, Mercedes and Smart dealers across the South East and East Anglia.
Aston Barclay Chelmsford will dispose of around 5,000 Group 1 used cars each year which are generally 10-plate and younger and worth between £6,000 – £15,000.
Every car is valeted, imaged, inspected and graded within this age range before its goes under the hammer both in the auction hall, and simultaneously on the company’s desktop LIVE platform and Buyer’s App which has helped build demand and prices.
All cars are sold at Chelmsford’s Wednesday dealer sale which offers over 500 cars via two auction halls to the trade weekly, with Group 1’s remarketing team currently trialling the Vendor App to further build direct relationships with buyers. Group 1 has welcomed the £1m investment in Chelmsford that will provide increased on-site efficiencies and extra volume capabilities.
Darren Guiver, Group 1’s UK managing director, said: “Used cars are an important part of our retailing strategy in the UK and we value the partnership we have built up with Aston Barclay. The Aston Barclay team is very responsive in meeting the changing needs of our used car operation and the extra site investment will help accommodate our continued growth. Chelmsford has a strong buyer base and our stock has been very well received.”
Martin Potter, Aston Barclay’s group operations director, said: “We welcome Group 1 to Chelmsford. Its dealers are providing us with a good mix of higher value part exchanges that are creating strong interest with buyers. Every car is exceptionally well prepared which adds confidence with physical and online buyers,” he added.
Chelmsford has had a strong start to the year with used car supermarket CarWise signing up as a new customer, while CarGiant, Quest, John Banks, Saxton 4×4, and Fairfield BMW have all renewed their contracts, many with increased volumes and some buying as well as selling used stock.