| -

ATLANTA — Manheim announced a new partnership with Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. and Infiniti Financial Services to remarket off-lease vehicles, which are better known to dealers as "grounded" units.

The new program unveiled this week is designed to harness Manheim's vehicle remarketing technology and expertise to reduce the time an off-lease vehicle idles "on the ground," and on the consignor's books. 

The auction company explained that it built a Web-based solution called Remarketing Portfolio Manager (RPM) for Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp and Infiniti Financial Services. Officials pointed out the solution can begin the process by allowing grounding dealers to submit a Federal Odometer Statement electronically.

From there, RPM is supposed to provide a simple, seamless four-step process to give both partners flexibility. An initial offer of the grounded vehicle can go to the most likely buyers first — starting with the former lessee. 

If the lessee opts out, the grounding dealer can opt in and has the exclusive right to purchase the vehicle until the end of the following day.

If the dealer declines, Nissan and Infiniti dealers are invited to a closed sale on OVE.com. Should the vehicle remain unsold, it moves to an open sale at a Manheim auction. 

Designed specifically for Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. and Infiniti Financial Services, Manheim believes the program can start to save time and money the moment a vehicle reaches the end of its lease term and is grounded at a dealer.

Manheim asserted that changing market conditions and industry challenges are making efficient off-lease inventory management and reduced days-to-sale even more critical for large-volume vehicle consignors.

"We are constantly rethinking the traditional remarketing cycle as customers ask us to help them push the process further and further upstream," stated Nick Peluso, senior vice president of customer management at Manheim.

"Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. and Infiniti Financial Services' grounding and remarketing solution is a great example of just how far upstream off-lease vehicles can be efficiently managed with the right technology, tools and experienced team support," Peluso added.