Manheim has announced that seven of its auctions won 12 of the 14 2003 Auction Quality Awards presented by Ford Motor Company for their outstanding performance in 2003, including the top award, the Golden Gavel. Nashville Auto Auction in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., and Greater Tampa Bay Auto Auction in Tampa, Fla., tied as the Golden Gavel Award winners in the Ford-sponsored closed auction category, while Dallas-Fort Worth Auto Auction in Fort Worth, Texas, won the Golden Gavel Award in the open auction category. Dallas-Fort Worth Auto Auction was also the National Volume Leader for 2003.

Ford’s Auction Quality Awards program recognizes an auction’s excellence in dealer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and day-to-day processes. Selection of the award winners is based on a survey completed by Ford dealers and area managers.

“The Ford Auction Quality Award is the top honor awarded to those auctions that best represent our partnership and the goals we set to achieve during 2003,” said Linda Silverstein, director, remarketing business operations at Ford.

Ford presented 12 Regional Quality Awards – one in the closed-auction category and one in the open-auction category in each of its six regions. Manheim facilities took the honors in five of those regions. Lauderdale-Miami Auto Auction in Davie, Fla., won both awards in East 1, Clanton’s Auto Auction in Darlington, S.C., won both in East 2, while Nashville Auto Auction and Greater Tampa Bay Auto Auction tied for both awards in East 3.

In West 1, Texas Hobby Auto Auction in Houston won the Regional Quality Award among closed auctions, while Dallas Ft. Worth won the award among open auctions. Omaha Auto Auction in Omaha, Neb., won both awards in West 2. An independent auto auction won both awards in West 3.