The National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) has invited auctions to take part in this year’s NAAA Auction of the Year Award for Excellence for Community Service contest.

Auctions can now nominate themselves or auction group members for honorable volunteer efforts easily from NAAA’s website.

In addition to winning $25,000 to gifted to any charity of choice, the recognized auction will get a cover photo and feature story in both NAAA’s On The Block magazine and 2019 membership directory, along with a crystal trophy.

Auctions can enter to win the award or nominate a member up until July 13.

Click here for more details about the award and how to submit a nomination entry.

Rawls AA boasts 80 years in business

In celebration of reaching 80 years in business, Rawls Auto Auction held a special anniversary sale last month.

NAAA recognizes the business as the beginning of the auto auction industry, Rawls AA owner and general manager Jimmy Rawls said in a news release.

About 80 years ago, Rawls’ father J. M. “Martin” Rawls held the first auto auction in Leesville, S.C.

From 1938, Rawls AA has grown to house seven auction lanes, as well as both full mechanic and reconditioning facilities.

This year, the auction received upgraded Auction Edge Simulcast high definition cameras and renovated lane flooring, according to Rawls AA.

Xcira Cubed platform turns 1

Xcira has offered its Cubed Platform that is designed to help auctions easily facilitate and manage transactions for a full year now.

The platform is made up of an integrated auction management system, a dealer community, a floor plan loan management system and the OnLine Ringman system.

The company announced on Wednesday that the Xcira Cubed Platform is currently in use by Flint, Michigan’s Fastlane Auto Exchange.

Early last year, Fastlane Auto Exchange began looking for available technology options that can help the company grow when it found Xcira, according to the company.

“Tonya, Greg and the Fastlane Auto Exchange team have been wonderful partners for the Cubed Platform, bringing outstanding auction operational insights and valuable dealer feedback,” Xcira vice president Bill Cieslak said in a news release. “I am thrilled that Xcira and Cubed has been part of Fastlane Auto Exchange’s growth, and I look forward to our collective successful journey together.”

Fastlane Auto Exchange started full-scale production use of Xcira’s Cubed Platform without the floor plan component last May.

“The new auction management system component of the Cubed Platform has made our auction process much more efficient,” said Tonya Price, Fastlane Auto Exchange’s business manager.

“Administratively and operationally, the single-clerk, paperless system is seamless. As well, we have received positive feedback regarding its ease of functionality from our online client base.

“Financially, Cubed provides daily accounting balances, which offers us the ability to quickly reconcile and review our financial status and has reduced our overall technology expenses affording us the ability to invest in our growth,” explained Price.