Manheim Auctions' light commercial vehicle sales continued to rise in January, up 42% on December to 4,524. A growing number of buyers have also been using the firm's live online auction Simulcast, which allows buyers to 'virtually' attend the auction and compete with actual attendees.
Bids are taken in real time and registered immediately on screen and at the auction hall.
In 2008, Manheim's online CV Live programme generated £9.6m in commercial vehicle sales, representing a £6m increase in online sales from 2007. In addition, the number of commercial vehicles finding new homes more than doubled in 2008 with just over 2,500 vans and trucks selling via the web compared with just 1,143 the year before.
In August 2008, a Mercedes-Benz 
Actros 6x2 tractor unit was sold on CV Live for a record £26,300.
Alex Wright, Manheim's CV sales director, says: "Simulcast brings an extra dimension to the commercial vehicle auction scene. It's certainly an exciting prospect, especially as the retail market is now national and not local. Retailers can also validate prices and stock nationally and remain competitive during the downturn."
In addition, Manheim is now including photos and detailed reports on each vehicle that goes under the hammer. James Davis, group commercial vehicle manager, says: "We've found internet buyers are much more likely to bid on trucks and vans if they can see what condition they're in.
"We are also looking at the prospect of providing buyers with a certified 21-point mechanical inspection that gives a comprehensive picture of the van at time of sale."