At a local dedication event held Tue., November 12 in Riverside, Calif., Manheim announced the opening of its new California Service Center. The 89,000 square-foot multi-use building houses a Volkswagen Credit (VCI)/Audi Financial Services (AFS) Technical Operations Center, Manheim’s Employee Service Center West and other sales and support services for customers in the Southern California market. 

“Our goal at Manheim is to continue to invest in solutions that benefit our customers and services that support our employees,” said Janet Barnard, EVP and chief operating officer for Manheim.  “The California Service Center is a great example of that.  We are helping our customers win by meeting their growing business needs, while planning for the future of our company and the industry.”

The Manheim California Service Center offers state-of-the-art certification and inspection services, as well as vehicle receiving support for Southern California market customers.  It occupies 27 acres of 160 total acres that it shares with Manheim Riverside, a wholesale vehicle auction operation.  The new Volkswagen Credit (VCI) /Audi Financial Services (AFS) facility is eight times the size of the space previously occupied at Manheim Riverside.  The new center also features one of two “buyback centers” used by VCI and AFS in North America, the other being at its Manheim Pennsylvania location.  

“We have a long-standing relationship with VCI and AFS, and this new facility adds tremendous value to that partnership,” said Christopher Brown, general manager of Manheim Riverside. “This center will help VCI and AFS bring cars to approval-ready status more efficiently on any platform to maximize sales and service.”

Other features of the Manheim California Service Center include:

• Over 16,000 square-feet of dedicated space for VCI/AFS operations

• An Inside Sales operation that supports approximately 1,500 customers each week throughout 11 Western states 

• An Employee Service Center that supports 6,500 employees across the western half of the U.S.

• Expansion of 10-car hauler spots in the receiving lot from 10 to 32

• Over 2,000 additional parking spaces

• More than 10,000 square-feet of motorcycle storage space for BMW sale events

“We are already experiencing elevated vehicle inventory levels on the West Coast,” said Mark Ilijanic, general manager of dealer remarketing for VCI/AFS.  “It’s refreshing to work alongside a partner who is proactive rather than reactive to our business needs.  The opportunities within this new facility at Riverside are endless, and we feel privileged to be partnering in this major growth strategy at this location.”

The VCI/AFS Technical Operations Center will employ Manheim, VW and Audi technicians who will inspect vehicles and perform a variety of services.  These services include minor mechanical, cosmetic and major component repairs that are all designed to enhance the value of vehicles and make them front-line ready. 

From January through October, more than 2,800 VW/Audi vehicles were processed through Manheim Riverside, and this number is expected to “significantly increase” at the new facility.

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