Manheim is growing its Manheim Express Concierge force to personally help dealers who list their vehicles for sale through digital channels.

That is just one of three enhancements to the Express mobile app that Manheim is rolling out.

Manheim, noting that dealers continue turning to digital channels to buy and sell vehicles on their time and terms, continues to enhance its Express mobile app, which it says makes it easier for dealers to use its wholesale used vehicle marketplace.

A second enhancement to the Express mobile app is enhanced “Make an Offer” capabilities that the company says help attract more buyers for Manheim Express listings. Expansion to Manheim’s Trade Desk team, which Manheim says will help match inventory to likely buyers and facilitate faster inventory turn, is the third enhancement.

More on the first upgrade: Manheim launched its Manheim Express Concierge Service nationwide in February. The service provides dealers with a dedicated expert who helps them sell vehicles more efficiently in the wholesale marketplace, according to Manheim. The company said in a news release that the Concierge force launched across the country just a few months ago, and the force is growing nearly 80 percent based on dealer demand for expert guidance and a hands-off way to get their vehicles listed quickly. 
 
Manheim vice president of Offsite Solutions Derek Hansen said dealer demand for the Concierge service is growing daily.

“Sellers enjoy the advice our specialists provide, as well as the ability to move their inventory quickly without having to invest much of their own time in the process,” Hansen said. “Meanwhile, buyers have more vehicles available to purchase, as specialists help dealers get more vehicles into the wholesale marketplace faster.” 
 
With the second update to Manheim Express — expansion of “Make an Offer” functionality — dealers can select any combination of purchase options they want to offer potential buyers. Manheim says that with dealers having those options — which include “Bid,” “Buy-Now” or “Make an Offer,” — provide more flexibility to dealers in how they market their vehicles. Manheim says that helps make their listings more appealing to a larger group of potential buyers. 
 
Regarding the third enhancement, Manheim’s Trade Desk team is expanding. The company created the team to build relationships with buyers and serve as a their “personal shopper.” Identifying vehicles of interest for buyers and helping close deals for sellers are roles for the Trade Desk team. With advanced search technologies, Trade Desk team members can proactively reach out to buyers and match them with Manheim Express inventory that most likely will appeal to them.
 
Manheim said that it sold more vehicles through digital channels than ever before in 2018, with more than 2 million digital buyers acquiring vehicles. The company expects that trend to increase in 2019 and beyond. Manheim said that because of that, Manheim and Cox Automotive will continue investing in new products and services for faster and easier digital transactions for clients.

“We launched the Manheim Express app because we heard our dealer clients wanted access to the Manheim Marketplace in the palm of their hand,” Hansen said. “The response from dealers has been phenomenal, and we’re continuing to bring new features and services that help make it even easier for them to buy and sell when and where makes the most sense for them.”