A picture is worth 1,000 words. But Manheim vice president of offsite solutions Derek Hansen says, “audio/video files are even better.”

Manheim says audio and video tags that it has added to its Manheim Express listings bring the sound of vehicles to life. With the tags, buyers can get a fuller understanding of the engine’s condition, according to the company.

The tags allow dealers to see engine vibrations, more easily assess the engine condition and hear how it purrs … or doesn’t purr. With the tags, “Potential buyers can see — and hear — for themselves and make even more informed purchasing decisions,” Hansen added.

In addition to adding audio and video tags, Manheim has added interior 360 imaging.

Manheim says dealers interested in buying wholesale inventory online can now hear the sound of an engine—and see more than ever before, which gives buyers “utmost confidence in their purchases.” 

Dealers can find the listings in the Manheim Express app or on the Manheim.com and OVE, and Manheim says it brings listings closer to an in-person look. Dealers can now “digitally kick the tires,” and the result is even more informed digital purchases, Manheim said.

Dealers’ ability to see things like engine vibrations hear the sound of the engine are “key pieces of information” that Manheim says can help dealers determine the potential level of reconditioning needed, and it can influence purchase price.

Interior 360s bring Fyusion technology for vehicle exteriors inside the vehicle. Now, Manheim says, interior features that are present or the condition of the seats, dash and more, will no longer be in question.

Manheim says the new functionality adds to the multimedia capabilities in the Manheim Express app, where listings feature exterior 360s, a standard set of high-resolution still images, and moveable images that show depths of dents and dings.

The audio and video tags and the interior 360s will be available on all listings that a Manheim Express Concierge specialist completes. For no additional cost, an expert does all of the listing legwork and consults on wholesale strategy. Also through the app, sellers can request concierge service.

In other Manheim news, the company launched what it says is its largest all-digital heavy truck auction on Jan. 8 at its Indianapolis location.

Manheim said the move further supports the company’s growing investment in digital blocks. The sale included more than 350 units and 387 online and in-lane bidders.

Manheim Indianapolis is part of the company’s all-digital specialty auctions that include RVs, motorcycles and trucks.

“Our biweekly truck sale is Manheim’s largest heavy truck auction nationwide,” said Manheim Indianapolis and Manheim Cincinnati general manager Emily Decker.

She continued, “It includes Class 4-8 commercial trucks, tractor trailers and other equipment. Moving to a Digital Block format offers a safer and more efficient experience for our clients and employees, as well as significant environmental savings.”

The three-lane format is a live auction. The trucks remain parked in designated spots and an auctioneer offers them for sale digitally through oversized monitors that feature enhanced images, barcode price scanning capability and condition report information.

According to Manheim calculations, the switch to an all-digital format — as opposed to driving trucks through physical lanes — will offset an estimated 284 tons of carbon dioxide each year.

That is an amount equal to the annual electricity use of 45 homes, according to Manheim.

“Safety always comes first,” said longtime Manheim partner Paul Seger, who is executive vice president, asset remarketing for Element Fleet Management Remarketing.

Seger continued, “Going digital for the sale of our heavy truck assets not only instills safety, but also improves efficiency and establishes consistency for our truck buyers nationwide. Because so many of them are already comfortable with Manheim’s Simulcast online bidding platform, we feel this transition to all digital will be very well received.”

Manheim says that in 2019, its “digital journey” marked several milestones. Manheim Tucson became the first location to convert all lanes to digital blocks. Its digital wholesale channels surpassed 2 million transactions.

Digital Blocks now comprise 20% of the lanes at physical locations nationwide, Manheim said.

“As we celebrate 75 years of providing wholesale solutions for dealer and commercial clients, we are excited about expanding our digital marketplace to achieve greater efficiency, improve the experience for clients and foster a culture of safety,” said Manheim president Grace Huang.