Manheim Introduces New Vehicle-Tracking Technology

Manheim has revealed a new technology, meant to make it easier to track the physical location of vehicles at auction lots.  

The new technology — Lot Vision — is a GPS-based wireless device placed in a vehicle's on-board diagnostics port. The tracking device can also be attached to a steering wheel in the event that a vehicle does not have an on-board diagnostic port.

The company expects this new technology to boost auction work flow by roughly 75% by providing team members with enhanced vehicle data and streamlining scanning activities.

"Lot Vision is the latest example of how we are continuing to enhance our clients' experience," said Grace Huang, president of Cox Automotive Industry Solutions. "Our team members and partners will now be able to identify — with pinpoint accuracy — each vehicle's location and journey within various areas of the facility, such as reconditioning."

The company claimed that in 2018 alone, it moved vehicles at its auction sites 40 million times.

On average, the company noted, a vehicle at a Manheim auction is moved five to six times as it passes through service areas. Given that Manheim auction sites can span upward of 6,500 acres, this constant movement makes it challenging to find certain units, the company added.

Lot Vision is intended to play a large part in reducing this challenge.

To use Lot Vision, a dealer or transporter needs to visit an auction's lot vision site and enter their work order number. If the dealer or transporter is visiting the site through a mobile device, location services will need to be enabled. The site will show the vehicle's location and will show a car icon on the map to denote where the vehicle is located, within 10 feet of its exact location.

Lot Vision is currently only available at select Manheim locations: Manheim Toronto, Manheim West Palm Beach, and Manheim Fort Lauderdale. Manheim Orlando, one of the company's largest locations, and three other sites are expected to support Lot Vision by the end of the fourth quarter.

Other Manheim locations will gain support for the new technology through the rest of the year.