McLEAN, Va. -

It was announced Thursday that the AuctionNet partnership between NADA Used Car Guide and the National Auto Auction Association has been extended another four years, meaning the used-car industry can continue tapping into this wholesale transaction data resource.

"We are pleased to be able to continue on the course set by industry pioneers back in 1990," said Mike Stanton, vice president of NADA Used Car Guide. “Since 1991, AuctionNet has provided the industry with the most comprehensive and timely set of wholesale transaction data representing more than 80 percent of auction sales.

“Nine out of the 10 top lenders in the country, dealers, auto manufacturers and remarketers rely on AuctionNet data to run their businesses more effectively,” Stanton added. “Industry demand for AuctionNet is still strong with its sales up 55 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year.”

As many likely know, between 140,000 and 200,000 raw auction transactions are gathered weekly via AuctionNet, including all reported sales from Manheim and ADESA.

NADA Used Car Guide analyzes AuctionNet and distributes the data.

In fact, in NADA Used Car Guide’s monthly “Guidelines” report, Jonathan Banks — senior director of editorial and data services — offers analysis on recent AuctionNet data.

In the most recent edition, Banks had this to say about AuctionNet data in 2011: “Last year capped off another remarkable year of AuctionNet wholesale price growth.

“When we look at data on a mileage and mix adjusted basis — which allows us an ‘apples-to-apples’ view of prices where under-lying swings in age, MSRP, and mileage are mitigated — prices for vehicles up to five years in age grew by 12 percent on a year-over-year basis in the May/June time period before settling down in December to end the year up by a healthy 4 percent,” he added.

Banks also noted that all vehicle classes climbed month-over-month in December. Vans had the strongest increase (almost 2.5 percent) and the rest of the segments climbed “right around 1 percent.”

Moving along, sharing the NAAA perspective, chief executive officer Frank Hackett praised the partnership for its value and for the fact that “all of the auction data is available to clients in one place.”

He added: “The wholesale data provides a clear picture of what goes on in the auto auction industry from the past so that our customers can make smart business decisions. Our third-party clients rely on the auction data to make their businesses stronger.”

Likewise, Ray Nichols, who chairs the NAAA/NADA joint marketing committee, chimed in.

“We’re proud to provide data from so many auctions, including Manheim and ADESA, in making this partnership a success,” Nichols noted. “We value the long-term relationship between NAAA and NADA and would like to see it continue for another 20 years.”