Car services provider and auction specialist
Manheim has acquired Motors.co.uk, the second-largest online used
vehicle classified trader in the UK.

Manheim chief executive John Bailey explained
that it had been the company’s strategy “for some time to further
facilitate the links between the wholesale and retail markets.

“Our dealer customers can look to us to supply
them with their wholesale vehicles and then actively support their
retail activity.”

The move mirrors that of Manheim in the US
where the company owns Autotrader.com (not to be confused with Auto
Trader UK) which continuously lists approximately 2.7m
vehicles.

The acquisition from The Daily Mail
parent group will put Motors.co.uk within Manheim Retail Services,
to which all Motors.co.uk will move. It includes the purchase of
Complete Automotive Solutions, bolstering Manheim’s existing
vehicle marketing services.

richard.brown@vrlfinancialnews.com