Manheim filed a request yesterday with the Department of Justice seeking confirmation that the multi-platform auction system (MPS) it is party to is in compliance with antitrust laws. The request comes on the heels of moves last month by ADESA and independent auction coalition ServNet to pull out of the MPS consortium.
Regulatory concerns were rumored to be the cause of both withdrawals. The MPS platform, which will gather vehicles from multiple auction sites into one central location for buyers to browse, is being built on technology developed by inventory management provider AutoIMS.
“Manheim remains committed to having MPS positioned as an industry-wide effort,” said Janet Barnard, president of Manheim North America. “Our leadership believes that concerns expressed around antitrust risks and high costs are unfounded because MPS has been shaped with these issues in mind from the outset.”
Along with Manheim, digital technology provider Whann Technology Group Global, plus regional auction companies BSC America Inc. and Columbus Fair Auto Auction, remain a part of the MPS system.
