The 13th annual Conference of Automotive Remarketing (CAR), co-located with the International Automotive Remarketers Alliance (IARA) Winter Roundtable, attracted more than 580 attendees, offered 20 seminars, and featured more than 125 exhibitors. More than 65 speakers presented or participated in panel discussions. Common themes throughout the seminars were best practices, new technology, wholesale market conditions, and industry standardization.

Conference highlights included a keynote presentation by Jim Hallett, president/CEO of ADESA Corp., on how technology will change traditional remarketing channels. He discussed online remarketing, its history and impact on the industry, and the single-portal initiative advanced by the National Auto Auction Association (NAAA).

The other keynote presentation was given by John Stamm, VP, operations for the Asbury Group, who discussed what dealers want from remarketers.

In another session, remarketing initiatives by institutional/fleet portfolio managers were discussed. VW Credit shared current data regarding how it reduced days-to-sale by 40 percent. Association updates were provided by the NAAA and the National Independent Auto Dealers Association (NIADA).

Awards were presented for 2008 Remarketer of the Year to Jim Hallett of ADESA and 2008 Consignor of the Year to Dave Sutton of VW Credit/Audi Financial Services. Auction recognition awards were presented by Donlen, Emkay, CitiFinancial Auto, VW Credit/Audi Financial Services, and Bank of America.

The IARA Roundtable opened with a keynote speech from Bruce Jenner, 1976 Decathlon Olympic Gold Medal winner. Jenner spoke of his journey for the gold and of finding the “champion” within us.

Kia Motors’ Dave Alfonso presented the IARA Circle of Excellence Award to Ed Bobit, chairman, Bobit Business Media.

The 2009 conference is scheduled Feb. 25-26 in Las Vegas.

Click here for full article, including photos!