Whether the cars were being sold online or in the auction lane, first-quarter volume climbed double digits for the ADESA auction business unit of KAR Auction Services.

The auction chain lifted its overall volume by 17 percent year-over-year, with physical auction volume climbing 12 percent, according to earnings results released by the parent company.

Meanwhile, online-only volume for ADESA was up 33 percent, compared to a 10-percent gain in Q1 of last year.

Likewise, the overall volume gain (17 percent) compares to an 8-percent increase a year ago, and the 12-percent growth in volume at physical auction locations is up from 7-percent growth last year.

The 17-percent hike in overall volume — along with a 5-percent gain in revenue per unit and a positive impact of $16.6 million from acquisitions — helped drive ADESA’s revenue to $401.5 million, which compares to $328 million in revenue last year. 

EBITDA came in at $97.1 million, up from $70.5 million a year ago.

Adjusted EBITDA was $104.2 million, compared to $77.0 million in Q1 2015.

Online volume

Online sales, including online buyers at physical auction, comprised 43 percent of ADESA’s volume in the quarter, compared to 40 percent a year ago.

The online-only volume was at 188,000 units, versus 141,000 a year ago. Total revenue per unit on these cars was $116, up from $107.

Physical volume

Conversion rates at the ADESA physical auctions were at 61 percent, down from 62.8 percent. Revenue per vehicle on these cars was $737, up from $681.

Overall KAR Results

As far as the parent company, overall revenue climbed 18 percent to $745 million. Net income was up 11 percent at $60.7 million. Adjusted EBITDA climbed 17 percent to $189.5 million.