Group 1 appoints Aston Barclay as remarketing partner

US-headquartered Group 1 Automotive has appointed Aston Barclay as its remarketing partner for the Beadles, Advantage Cars, Mercedes and Smart dealers located across south-east England and East Anglia. In total, 19 dealerships will be represented.

Aston Barclay Chelmsford will process about 5,000 Group 1 used cars each year. These are expected to be 2010 models or later, with values of between £6,000 – £15,000.

The agreement follows a £1m investment in Aston Barclay Chelmsford, intended to deliver improved on-site efficiencies and extra volume capabilities.

Each car will be valeted, inspected, photographed and graded before going under the hammer. The cars will be offered within the auction hall and via the LIVE platform and Buyer’s App. Digital access has helped build demand and overall vehicle values.

All cars will be sold at Chelmsford’s Wednesday dealer sale which offers over 500 cars via two auction halls. Group 1’s remarketing team is currently trialling the Vendor App to further build direct relationships with buyers.

Speaking about the appointment, Darren Guiver, Group 1’s UK MD said: ““The Aston Barclay team is very responsive in meeting the changing needs of our used car operation and the extra site investment will help accommodate our continued growth.”

Martin Potter, Aston Barclay’s group operations director, said: “The Group 1 dealers are providing us with a good mix of higher-value part exchanges that are creating strong interest with buyers. Every car is exceptionally well prepared which adds confidence with physical and online buyers,” he added.

Group 1 Automotive UK was ranked 9 in the Motor Trader Top 200 Franchised Dealer Survey for 2017 (up from 14), with an estimated turnover £1.71bn.