Manheim to pilot cars running through lanes at 2 locations next week

Manheim is piloting the return of running vehicles through auction lanes.

The company announced Thursday afternoon that it will begin this pilot Tuesday at Manheim Nashville, with Manheim Daytona Beach to follow suite Wednesday.

Manheim said in a news release that it arrived at this decision, “after the company became more confident with its phased-in, reopening approach and in response to client requests for more buying and selling options.”

The company emphasized that the resumption of cars running through the lanes will differ at each auction. Each sale will have limitations designed to promote health and safety of all parties involved.

One of those limitations is the use of designated lanes running vehicles and a cap on the number of sellers running cars. Manheim’s existing safety guidelines will also apply

Auction offices will stay closed. Dealers in attendance must wear face coverings, social distance and abide by state/local guidelines.

Manheim will watch these pilot sales closely before determining if additional sales should resume cars running through lanes.

“In the same way that we phased in Digital Block sales, our approach with the pilot program will be careful and deliberate, while closely monitoring health and safety,” Manheim president Grace Huang said in a news release. “Thank you to our dealers for your support of our safety protocols throughout the pandemic, as it gave us confidence that together, we could safely return to running cars down lanes.”