Along with giving an update on how many dealers are using its mobile apps, Manheim highlighted the benefits from the investment in its new Enhanced Vehicle Imaging Suite, which is aimed at helping customers who have struggled to find vehicle condition reports with consistent imaging quality.

Manheim introduced the Enhanced Vehicle Imaging Suite to customers in May, and now the capability is at 20 of Manheim’s North American locations as part of Manheim’s InSight Electronic Condition Report.

“We are pleased that the feedback has been very positive,” said Bonnie Hensler, vice president of product development for Manheim. “Through customer research, we found that getting condition reports with great vehicle images remained an ongoing point of frustration.

“So coming up with a solution to help our customers has been gratifying. Customers told us that having access to images that clearly and quickly assess what is wrong or special about a vehicle would give them greater confidence when buying and selling, and we have delivered,” Hensler continued.

The operating locations that have the new imaging product include:

—Manheim Atlanta
—Manheim Baltimore-Washington
—Manheim Denver
—Manheim Fredericksburg
—Manheim Houston
—Manheim Kansas City
—Manheim Milwaukee
—Manheim Minneapolis
—Manheim Nashville
—Manheim Nevada
—Manheim New Jersey
—Manheim Ohio
—Manheim Orlando
—Manheim Pennsylvania
—Manheim Phoenix
—Manheim Riverside
—Manheim San Diego
—Manheim San Francisco Bay
—Manheim Seattle
—Manheim Statesville.

The Enhanced Vehicle Imaging Suite can provide the highest resolution images available, delivering showroom quality that can help sell vehicles online quickly.

Officials highlighted the improved package, offered with Manheim InSight Condition Reports, can provide customers up to 18 vehicle images, “heat map” graphics that can help buyers quickly assess vehicle condition and a dedicated photo staff with the goal of ensuring consistent image quality and standards across all Manheim locations.

Manheim indicated dealer feedback has been extremely positive.

Reed Brklacich of BARCO Rent-A-Truck, based in Salt Lake City, consigns all his vehicles at 10 Manheim locations around North America.

“I sell all my trucks at Manheim,” Brklacich said. “I like the new enhancements, and how the pictures portray my vehicles.” Brklacich reports higher sales and steadier prices since adopting the Enhanced Vehicle Imaging Suite over the past several weeks.

From a buyers’ standpoint, Brett Broghammer of Integrity AutoSource of Vadnais, Minn., has been very pleased by the Enhanced Vehicle Imaging Suite.

“The new InSight ECR pictures Manheim is using for the Toyota lease return sales are a huge improvement,” Broghammer said. “They really help to make my buying decision on these cars quicker and easier.”

Michael Zins of Maplewood (Minn.) Toyota said the zoom tool has been helpful to review damage to a vehicle, while Nick Nyhus Family Sales of Perham, Minn., shared that the imaging product has helped him buy effectively and exclusively online and via Simulcast.

Dealers Step Up Usage Of Mobile Apps To Conduct Business

As consumers increasingly rely on mobile applications to transact business, so do nearly 50 percent of wholesale dealers, according to Manheim.

During the past year, Manheim’s dealer customers used their mobile devices not only to find and buy inventory, but also to track and monitor the entire post-purchase process. To date, dealers have listed more than 50,000 vehicles using the company’s mobile listing tool and received more than 100,000 vehicle notifications via their mobile devices.

“When we first launched our mobile application, adoption by dealers was slow,” said Rumon Lasker, Manheim’s director of product management. “What we are finding now is that nearly 50 percent of dealers are accessing our mobile applications at a much faster pace.  We believe this is due to the all-in-one mobile experience that only Manheim offers.”

Unlike other mobile applications, Manheim explained its all-in-one experience can gives dealers fast and easy access to find, buy, sell and manage all their vehicle transactions:

• Find vehicles using PowerSearch

• Buy vehicles using Simulcast

• Sell vehicles via the myMobileListing tool

• Manage the entire process using myPurchases

“I use the Manheim app daily, it is absolutely the best tool for my business,” said Brian Harmon, dealer principal at RV and Boat Liquidators.

“I continuously run my trades on the mobile app and search run lists all over the U.S. looking for specialty items on Manheim.com,” Harmon continued. “I’ve been in the wholesale, retail car and motorhome business for 27 years and it’s the best tool of my trade.”

In addition, using an iPad, iPhone or Android device, dealers can tap into the Manheim app to research MMR values and purchase vehicles that are listed on OVE.com or sold through Simulcast.

After their purchase, they can use the app to finance vehicles and order transportation. Sellers can also list vehicles in the Manheim marketplace and disclose vehicle condition information using the Manheim app.

“Whether it’s creating a seller disclosure, listing a vehicle, conducting searches or managing auction check-out, dealers tell us that our digital tools are easy to use and save them time,” Lasker said.