MOUNT VERNON, Iowa -

As Music City Auto Auction of Nashville added another commercial consignor to its lineup, Plaza Auto Auction of Iowa is preparing for its 52nd anniversary celebration in August with the introduction of Edge Simulcast to its weekly sale events.

Owner Mark Greb explained Plaza AA launched Simulcast selling earlier this month on all five lanes, and has recorded significant increases in online attendance as well as online sales from week to week.  Also being broadcast via Edge Simulcast is the auction’s Power Sports Sale, which now runs monthly with up to 100 units per sale.

“Over the past 24 months, we made significant improvements in preparation for the introduction of Simulcast selling at Plaza Auto Auction of Iowa,” Greb said. “The $250,000 project included a new auction management system, new video equipment in the auction arena, new asphalt and lighting upgrades.

“Upgrading our technology was a significant part of this effort, and we’re extremely pleased to announce that with the introduction of Pipeline Simulcast we now enjoy a significantly expanded presence online and the capability to bring even more buyers to the auction by way of this exciting online selling platform,” he continued.

Plaza Auto Auction of Iowa has one of the largest evening sales in the Midwest, offering more than 500 vehicles every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. 

“Prior to the addition of Edge Simulcast, an average of 300 dealers attended the sale every week, with customers hailing from Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and Indiana, some even from as far away as Mississippi and Mexico,” Greb said.

“We anticipate that those numbers will increase as dealers avail themselves of the convenience of previewing inventory and attending the auction online,” he continued

“We have recorded a number of sales peaking well over 70 percent this year,” Greb went on to say. “With the enhancement of Edge Simulcast we fully expect the market to show even more vitality as we move into our 52nd anniversary celebration in August.”

With the auction’s customer base on the rise, Greb announced the addition of a new employee to the service team. Carrie Gralund was hired as a regional sales representative,

“Carry’s background in management and sales in the mobile telephone industry will serve her well as she works with the dealers in our region,” Greb said.  “I have known her for a long time, and know that she will not only develop strong working relationships with our many customers but will enhance the auction experience for all of them.“

Greb noted that Gralund will spend her first two months as an auction employee at Plaza’s micro-academy to get an overview of auction procedures and operations.

“She’ll start out on the lot, checking in cars and parking them, which is, incidentally, the same place I started my auction career in 1988,” Greb said. “Then, she’ll spend a week in the office, a week in transport, two weeks in the sales office, and a week visiting customers with Jerry Udelhofen, a nine-year veteran of auction sales here at Plaza. 

“Finally, she’ll go to Chicago for an Internet sales seminar presented by TPC Management, where she’ll learn more about the various online selling platforms in the auction industry,” he continued. “After that, she’ll be ready to take to the road on her own as our regional sales representative.”

Gralund shared her reaction to joining the Plaza AA team.

“I am so excited to join the team at Plaza Auto Auction,” Gralund said.  “Everyone here is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and dedicated, and I am learning a lot from all of them. 

“The training process is an invaluable education for me, providing me with hands-on experience as I learn how all the departments work together to make the auction process a great one here for our customers at Plaza Auto Auction,” she added.

Along with consignments from franchised and independent dealers throughout the Midwest, Plaza Auto Auction of Iowa features vehicles from a number of regional and national fleet/lease and repo accounts, including PHH, Flexco Fleet Services, University of Iowa Community Credit Union, Emkay, Veridian Credit Union, Avis/Budget, Primeritus, Enterprise, and Fleet/Lease Disposal.

“It is exciting to mark the growth we have experienced at Plaza Auto Auction of Iowa over the past several years,” Greb said. “In conjunction with a vibrant market, we’re excited to expand the service we offer to our customers by way of improved facilities, expanded technology and a skilled and dedicated auction staff that distinguishes Plaza Auto Auction as one of the leading independent auctions in the country.”

Music City Auto Auction of Nashville adds Ally Financial to sale lineup

Music City Auto Auction of Nashville, a subsidiary of Auto Auction Holdings, announced the addition of Ally Financial to its lineup at its Spring Hill, Tenn., location.

Opened this past February, Music City AA operates a six-lane wholesale auction serving Tennessee and surrounding states.

“We are very proud Ally Financial has decided to join the growing number of consignors here at Music City,” general manager Tim Sherk said.

“We have built a solid and dedicated seasoned staff that I feel confident will serve Ally Financial as well as our growing dealer base with only the finest in wholesale auto auction services,” Sherk said. “Our Music City staff is very excited about the opportunity Ally Financial has afforded us.”

Auto Auction Holdings also operates three other auctions: South Florida Auto Auction in Lauderdale Lakes, Fla., Orlando-Longwood Auto Auction in Longwood, Fla., and Speedway Auto Auction of Charlotte in Concord, N.C.