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Published on April 16, 2008

The move comes after the company's sales volume doubled over the past two years.

Assistant general manager Apirak Apijitchaichot said the company was now considering expanding its automobile-auction business in Thailand. The company has operated in this market since 2003. For the last two years, Manheim Asia Pacific has won a Double Star award from parent Manheim Auctions for its performance in doubling sales volume in automobile auctions.

Last year, Manheim Asia Pacific was ranked second in terms of sales-volume increase among all of Manheim's worldwide branches. However, Apirak declined to disclose last year's sales volume.

He said Manheim had only one auction house in Thailand, on 26 rai in Bangkok's Prawet district. This location has five auction stages: two for car auctions, one for motorcycles, one for pickups and one for wrecked vehicles. Manheim now sells 70-90 autos a week per stage, up from only 30 to 50 cars every three weeks in its first year of operation. Meanwhile, the company sells 200-300 motorcycles a week.

Manheim also provides automobiles on auction through its website at www.manheimthailand.com.

"There are at least 600-700 bidders at each auction. Our current location is too narrow, and we cannot enlarge the area, so the company is considering expansion. But I cannot disclose the budget or next location," he said.

Apirak said used cars had become very popular in the past few years, because consumers considered more factors when buying. A used car is obviously cheaper than a new one. This is why Manheim has doubled its sales volume.

Thailand was the first Manheim Auctions branch in the Asia-Pacific. The parent company is the biggest automobile auctioneer in the world, with 140 international branches. Manheim's headquarters are on 500 rai of land in Atlanta, Georgia.

Used cars provided to Manheim come from auto-financing firms, car-rental companies and car-makers.

Apirak said Manheim was the only integrated automobile auction house in Thailand that met international standards.

"The total number of cars auctioned by Manheim last year was 10 million. Most were not in the Asian market. But the used-car market in Thailand has performed well in the last few years, and I think we can increase the numbers the same as in the foreign markets," said Apirak.

Nalin Viboonchart

The Nation