Manheim has opened its first auction in Arkansas with Manheim Little Rock, and will hold weekly sales. The company's expansion into Arkansas was driven by dealer demand in an under-served area in the U.S., the company said.  

“Our goal is to quickly fill a void that has long existed in this area,” said Randy Beil, vice president of Local/Mobile at Manheim. “We hope to do this by focusing on the efficient processing of client vehicles in a collaborative environment that mirrors the look and feel of other traditional locations.”

The Arkansas location held its inaugural sale earlier this year, in January. Many of the surrounding dealers registered a week in advance of the sale, and when the date of the inaugural sale arrived, approximately 260 onsite bidders and 110 online buyers participated.

Manheim Little Rock — a three-lane wholesale remarketing operation — currently has four full-time staff members. Services at the location include wash and vacuum services and post-sale inspections for the three largest dealers in the area, including Steve Landers Group, Everett Buick GMC, and Superior Chevrolet.

“As we are getting to know our client’s needs, we are adjusting operations to fit the local dealer culture and provide a hometown feel while delivering Manheim’s signature brand of customer service,” said Beil. “For example, we will begin offering free local inbound transportation to make it easier for clients to get us their vehicles as early as possible. We’re confident adjustments like this will help us gain momentum as we establish ourselves in the market.”

The location will be located at 5809 S. University Avenue in Little Rock, Ark. Sale days will be on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. and typically feature trucks and vehicles from $500 to $15,000 in value, according to Manheim. Later this month, on March 15, the company will be holding a grand opening event for the new location.  

Last year, Manheim opened three other similar small-sized locations in Cleveland; Norfolk, Va.; and Wichita, Kan. The company expects to open additional auction locations in Des Moines, Iowa; Lubbock, Texas; and other cities in the coming months.