DealShield Purchase Protection Network Expansion, Physicality as a Market Need, 1980 Volvo 242DL, 1970 BMW Cross-Country Road Trip Check-In

During the NAAA Convention, DealShield announced its purchase protection solution will now be available for dealers and buyers, which is our first story. Then, we’ll take a look at ServNet chief executive Pierre Pons’ comment on physicality in the auto auction market.

After that, we’ll learn more about the custom 1980 Volvo 242DL and its $7,500 price tag, and we’ll check in with the crazy roadtrippers who took the 1970 BMW cross country.

Ready?

DealShield Purchase Protection Solution Expands Network to 40th Independent Auction

During the NAAA Convention at Used Car Week in Scottsdale, AZ, DealShield announced its purchase protection will now be offered to dealers and buyers in Lake Charles Auto Auction. This facility marks DealShield’s 40th independent auction.

DealShield’s DS360 Guarantee, which provides protection for dealers when they purchase or return vehicles for any reason, will be available at the auction this month. This increases DealShield’s total auction network to 115.

“We are excited to be able to offer DealShield to our clients as we know so many of our clients will take advantage of this incredible service,” said Matt Pedersen, owner of the Lake Charles Auto Auction.

With this service guarantee, dealers will be able to purchase a vehicle at a participating location in-lane or online via Simulcast or OVE. If it fails to meet their needs in some way, it can be returned to any location in the DealShield network for a full refund of the purchase price and buy fee.

Read more about this story:

https://www.autoremarketing.com/wholesale/dealshield-purchase-protection-solution-expands-network-40th-independent-auction

“Physicality” Still a Market Need in the Auto Auction Industry

ServNet chief executive Pierre Pons disagrees with online auction companies being referred to as “disrupters.” Instead, he thinks that independent auction technologies show that traditional auction companies can be strong competitors within this technology.

“We are every bit as disruptive in our own industry, and that’s what keeps it going,” Pons said. “The independents and ServNet are at the cutting edge of everything that is technology-related.”

Pons believes in the importance of the physical auction, since vehicles still need to be moved, cleaned, marketed, displayed and parked. On top of that, some companies still need vehicle transport. Technology is important, but it still needs to work with a physical location.

Read more about Pons’ commentary on physical auction locations and the changing auto market:

https://www.autoremarketing.com/wholesale/physicality-still-market-need-auto-auction-industry

At $7,500, Could This Crazy, Custom 1980 Volvo 242DL Turn You into Läderlappen?

By its very nature, customization won’t appeal to everyone. So, not everyone will appreciate the customization of this 1980 Volvo 242DL Sport 2DR Convertible, though it is up for sale with a $7,500 price tag.

The car’s origin is a mystery, but that only adds to its overwhelming attractiveness. The roof was removed and replaced with a Porsche 914 Targa roof, and the bodywork is adorned with scoops, vents and stripes, as well as a hood-mounted airscoop.

The best part, however, is the front end, with its Dame Edna eyeglass frames around the headlamps with a mesh grille, set back behind a black mask on either side. It’s reminiscent of a ‘60s-era Triumph Vitesse, which doesn’t hurt one bit.

Take a look at this spectacular car here:

https://jalopnik.com/at-7-500-could-this-crazy-custom-1980-volvo-242dl-tur-1830433001

Check-in on the Cross-Country Road Trip in a 1970 BMW 2500

As you may remember from a few weeks back, Jalopnik writers Patrick George and Ralph Orlove set out to drive from Seattle to New York in a 1970 BMW 2500. At the time, there was question of whether this old beauty could make the trip, but after six days and 2,800 miles, they completed their journey to get the BMW to its new owner.

They also encountered severe rainstorms, cold water, mountain passes, traffic, and most frightening of all, some harrowing evenings in shady local bars. Fortunately, the BMW came out of the journey none the worse for wear.

Watch the video of their walkaround of the BMW and learn more about their trip here:

https://jalopnik.com/heres-the-majestic-1970-bmw-2500-we-drove-from-seattle-1830443545

So, what do you think of the DealShield purchase protection expansion? What’s your opinion on physical auction sites as a market need? Are you interested in the custom Volvo? And finally, did the valiant roadtrippers fare as well as you expected?

Tell us in the comments!

 

Big Auction Houses Running Hard Into Their Futures, Used-Car Prices Returning to Normal, Suzuki RT-1 Concept Off-Road Sports Car, Car With an Engine in a Box in the Trunk

The seasons are changing, and so are the business models for big auction chains like Manheim and ADESA, which is our first story. Then, we can check in with used-car price patterns.

We’ll also see some vehicle anomalies, such as the Suzuki RT-1 concept off-road sports car and the Autobianchi that kept its engine in a box in the trunk.

Let’s get started!

Big Auction Houses Running Hard Into Their Futures

Big auction chains Manheim and ADESA are working to address the changing needs of the wholesale vehicle market, which is upending the traditional business model.

Auctions everywhere are feeling the weight of the digital shift in the market. As digital auctions increase, dealers are able to buy and sell remotely with greater options and convenience. This disruption is similar to the shift in financial tech that’s forcing change in the auto insurance and finance market.

Manheim, a Cox Automotive brand, noted that 43 percent of all vehicles were sold to a digital buyer via a digital platform in the first half of 2018. Since 2017, digital transactions have increased 39 percent. As a result, Manheim is investing in technology to provide more digital options for dealers to buy and sell cars more efficiently through Manheim’s channels.

KAR Auction Services, a parent company of ADESA, is also addressing these changes by investing in technology that’s designed to improve the buying and selling process for dealers.

Still, the auction houses aren’t too worried. Auction Management Solutions president Tom Stewart simply sees these shifts as the industry “balancing itself.” Stewart also said that “physical auctions have one thing digital auctions do not, and that is cars need somewhere to sit. If physical auctions were dying, why would men and women continue to show up at the lanes when they have these digital options?”

Read more about this story here:

https://www.autoremarketing.com/wholesale/big-auction-houses-running-hard-their-futures

Used-Car Prices Getting Back to “Normal”

Following a summer with high value retention for vehicles, Black Book is beginning to see the return to normal used-car price patterns for the season.

After softening an average of 0.47 percent during the previous four weeks, there was a 0.60-percent depreciation in car segments this past week. The truck segment also grew steeper, with a 0.48 percent decrease in value.

Black Book’s field team also noticed anecdotal evidence in their auction observations. One Florida team member noted a “more typical fall market as prices have dropped and retail is slower. The demand is for vehicles with good miles and a clean history report.”

The observations were similar in Missouri, with a short supply on vehicles and low demand.

Read more here:

https://www.autoremarketing.com/wholesale/used-car-prices-getting-back-normal

Suzuki RT-1 Concept Was a Mid-Engine Four-Wheel-Drive Off-Road Sports Car

Suzuki’s forte is dominating the all-wheel-drive vehicle market, with such models as the Samurai and Jimny. Small cars are its thing, even if that’s not the most “American consumer” of things, but the 1987 Suzuki RT-1 concept car could’ve been the perfect combination of Suzuki style and American bravado.

The RT-1 was a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a full-floater motorcycle suspension in the rear, as well as a midship configuration for its 1.6-liter, 16-valve engine. So, it was a small, mid-engine sports car, but it had the same all-wheel drive and off-road capability as the rest of the lineup.

It’s a wonder this little car was ever able to exist outside of engineering dreams. Still, it eventually gave us the AZ-1.

Check out the full specs and photos here:

https://jalopnik.com/the-suzuki-rt-1-concept-was-a-mid-engine-four-wheel-dri-1830293166

Car That Kept Its Engine in a Box in the Trunk

Autobianchi didn’t produce many cars, but when it did, it did it right. The Stellina is a striking car with a lot of charm, as well as one of the strangest setups we’ve ever come across.

Based on the Fiat 600D, the Stellina was meant to be a combination workhorse and sport vehicle, serving the needs of drivers between 1964 and 1965, until the Fiat Spider took its place.

Before that, however, the Stellina boasted a fiberglass body, sleek lines and sharp creases that make it an underrated classic, as well as a small box in the rear compartment that housed the engine.

It would’ve been too filthy and poorly ventilated to place any cargo in that trunk, but it is clever storage for the convertible top’s tonneau cover.

Check it out:

https://jalopnik.com/this-is-a-real-car-that-kept-its-engine-in-a-box-in-the-1830280233

How are you adapting to the digital disruption in the used-car market? Have you noticed normal used-car pricing patterns for the fall? What do you think of the Suzuki concept car and the Autobianchi Stellina?

Let’s hear it in the comments!

 

October Wholesale Price Movements Take Hold, RumbleOn to Acquire Wholesale, Inc. and Wholesale Express, Jeeps Move a Florida Home After Hurricane Michael, a Bus with a Honda Escape Pod

It’s that time of year again: Children in Halloween costumes, homecoming football games and the leaves beginning to change, as well as typical October wholesale prices, which is our first story.

Then, we’ll address the recent acquisition of Wholesale, Inc. and Wholesale Express by RumbleOn and what that means for the market.

After that, we’ll discuss the amazing feat of a local Jeep club using Wranglers to flip a Florida family’s house after Hurricane Michael.

And finally, we’ll take a look at a bus with a built-in 1972 Honda Z600 escape pod, well, just because.

Grab your leftover Halloween candy and get ready to dig in!

Typical October Wholesale Price Movements Take Hold

Like all the other familiar comforts of October, the wholesale prices are behaving exactly as expected, according to the latest edition of Market Insights from Black Book.

Used-vehicle values are experiencing the typical depreciation trends for the year, after an unusually strong spring. Dips include the luxury segment, which was the highest, followed by the truck segment and midsize crossover SUV segment.

Still, dealerships across the nation are experiencing different highs and lows, with one Michigan dealership enjoying strong sales with trucks and all-wheel-drive SUVs, a California dealership experiencing no sales and a Georgia dealership stating that “conversion rates were good” and “most of the vehicles that didn’t sell seemed to have unrealistic floors.”

Read more of these insights here:

https://www.autoremarketing.com/wholesale/typical-october-wholesale-price-movements-take-hold

RumbleOn to Acquire Wholesale, Inc. and Wholesale Express

RumbleOn has mostly focused on powersport vehicles, but it’s recently turned its attention to adjacent markets.

Friday, RumbleOn expanded into the automotive market by purchasing Wholesale, Inc. and Wholesale Express for $23 million. Wholesale, Inc. is an independent distributor of used automobiles with roughly 2,000 vehicles changing hands each month, and Wholesale Express is a related logistics company.

“Our plan has always been to expand into adjacent markets and the acquisition of Wholesale provides rapid and profitable entrance into the 44 million annual sales automobile market,” RumbleOn founder, chairman and chief executive Marshall Chesrown said in a news release.

The deal is set to finalize this coming Monday, with the entire Wholesale management team and staff on board with RumbleOn. The combination of the e-commerce platform and the technology and online presence should expand the new brand across the nation.

Read more here:

https://www.autoremarketing.com/wholesale/rumbleon-acquire-wholesale-inc-wholesale-express

A Jeep Club Used Wranglers to Flip a Family’s House Over After Hurricane Michael

Looking for a combination of power and feel-good story? This is it.

This past Sunday, a local club of Jeep enthusiasts in the Bay Area Jeep Association (BAJA) came to the aid of a Panama City, Florida couple, Dereck and Andrea Clifton. After evacuating, their possessions were stranded in their overturned house. It had been knocked onto the roof by Hurricane Michael and the 150 mph winds.

Using winches and their trusty Wranglers, the club hooked their vehicles to the home and pulled for about eight minutes until they turned the home upright. Though the home will need to be removed and replaced, this afforded the Cliftons an opportunity to retrieve valuable sentimental items, such as family heirlooms and photographs.

A friend of Dereck’s knew of his dilemma and reached out to the local club, because they believe that “the Jeep life is that you help each other, you have a value system.”

Learn more about this adventure and watch the incredible video here:

https://jalopnik.com/how-a-florida-jeep-club-used-wranglers-to-flip-a-family-1830130423

Bus With a Built-in 1972 Honda Z600 Escape Pod

Now, just for fun, there’s a 1981 Eagle bus that’s been converted to an RV, houses a chopped-up 1972 Honda Z600 Kei Car escape pod and is offered for sale on eBay. You know, in case you’re attacked by zombies.

This is really the best of both worlds, however, since the RV allows you to road trip in comfort, and once you’ve arrived at your destination, you’re free to zip around in the Honda for some sightseeing.

A lot of modifications had to happen to make this possible, such as lengthening the bus and removing the roof of the Honda to fit it into the luggage compartment.

The listing has ended, but still our hearts soar. Watch this wonderful little Honda in action here:

https://jalopnik.com/heres-a-bus-with-a-built-in-1972-honda-z600-escape-pod-1830155708

So, how have your October sales gone? What do you think of the RumbleOn acquisition of Wholesale and the amazing feat of the Jeep club? And, of course, how bad do you want to road trip in this bus/Honda escape pod?

Let us hear it in the comments!