Cox Automotive achieves another supermarket sweep

Cox Automotive has extended the number of used car supermarkets choosing to dispose of their trade stock through its auction channels. The automotive services firm has signed terms with four supermarkets that will result in an additional 2,000 vehicles a year selling through Manheim Auction Services.

The four - Car360, Chris W Roads, Phantom Motor Co and JW Autos – join Big Motoring World, AvailableCar, CarShop and Carsa as supermarkets to sign, or resign, with Cox Automotive this year. Other supermarkets vending via Cox Automotive’s auction brands include CARZ, part of the Peter Vardy group of brands, and Norton Way Group’s Carverse.

Car360 is an award-winning online supermarket based in Cannock, Staffordshire. In addition to selling trade stock out of Manheim Birmingham weekly, Car360 is using both Dealer Auction and Manheim to source vehicles for retail and has established a stocking plan with NextGear Capital to enable further growth. Continuing its partnership with Cox Automotive, Car360 has also deployed eVA for its online vehicle valuations, while Codeweavers enables key aspects of its online customer journey, including finance calculators and applications.

Derbyshire-based Chris W Roads is a family business, trading for over 50 years and with an extensive site in Ripley. Its trade disposals – typically mainstream brands valued between £4-6,000 - will now sell exclusively from Manheim Leeds each week. Meanwhile, Wigan-based Phantom Motor Company has agreed solus terms to sell out of Manheim Manchester fortnightly. The business specialises in sports and prestige vehicles and stocks over 200 vehicles in its 25,000 square foot showroom.

JW Autos is the fast-growing start-up supermarket founded by Jack Waddell. Opened in 2020 and operating from a 200-vehicle site in Strood, Kent, JW Autos will be selling exclusively through Manheim Colchester weekly in addition to using Cox Automotive’s marketplaces for stock sourcing.

Sam Panayides, Sales Director at Cox Automotive, comments: “We’re thrilled to have signed terms with these four excellent car supermarkets. They have each committed a significant volume of vehicles into our auction channels, which, with demand for stock still sky high, is great news for our buyers.

“It is evident our connected proposition is resonating particularly well with the supermarket sector. We’re finding that these independent, family-owned and highly ambitious businesses are placing significant value in how business is done as much as our commercial terms and the blend of services we can provide beyond remarketing. The constant we’re hearing is they want partners who do not compete for their retail business and who can support their growth in a sustainable and collaborative way. This remains out focus.”