ATLANTA – Manheim and OVE.com were named recipients of the Auto Dealer Monthly 2010 Dealers’ Choice Awards. Manheim received the Diamond Award, the highest honor in the traditional auction category, and OVE.com received the Platinum Award for online auctions in the purchasing inventory category.

Manheim received the Diamond Award for the fourth time since 2005 in the traditional auction category. With special recognition for its innovative online products, including Manheim Simulcast, which allows customers to buy and sell online in live auction sales, and OVE.com, the company also claimed its fifth consecutive award in the online category since 2006. Manheim has been named a recipient of the Dealers’ Choice Awards each year since the awards’ inception in 2005.

“It takes more than just great products or services to make a company stand out among its peers; it takes great employees behind it who create, market and support those products and services. This year’s Dealers’ Choice Award winners certainly have some great talent to stand behind their outstanding products. It’s a privilege to recognize some of the best in the industry,” said Harlene Doane, editor, Auto Dealer Monthly. “Manheim and OVE.com should both be very proud of their products, services and their staffs.”

“There is no higher honor than being recognized by the people who matter most and who know your marketplace the best—your customers,” said Sue Boehlke, senior vice president of products and processes, Manheim. “Manheim strives to lead the industry in its selection of quality inventory, and its variety of selling opportunities and it’s the best compliment when our customers take notice.”

“Being recognized by our dealer customers as a valued provider is one of the highest compliments we can receive,” said Nick Peluso, senior vice president, customer management, Manheim. “Our team gets great satisfaction when they identify the right solution that delivers the right results for our customers, it’s what motivates us every day.”

The Award Process

This is the sixth year Auto Dealer Monthly recognized the most highly regarded vendors, suppliers and finance companies in the retail automotive industry, as voted on by dealers and dealership personnel. The survey provided dealers and their employees the ability to offer their collective selection of the top providers to the retail auto industry.

Overall, 54 awards were given to 42 companies, all chosen by dealers and dealership personnel. In 20 distinctive categories of products and services, more than 11,000 votes were cast. Ratings were gathered on the performance of the product or service, as well as the customer support and service provided, and the overall value compared to cost to the dealership.

The complete list of winners, as well as any provider or finance company that rated higher than the group average score in any category can be found at www.AutoDealerMonthly.com. The feature article on the 2010 Dealers’ Choice Awards is in the April 2010 issue of Auto Dealer Monthly magazine, which can be found here: http://autodealermonthly.epubxpress.com.