Fleet vehiclesNYC launches on-line auction of city fleet vehicles
New York City operates 27,000 vehicles and equipment pieces covering sixty city agencies; each year, up to 2,500 of these vehicles are replaced by newer equipment and sold by auction to the general public; now customers can access hundreds of desirable vehicles with the convenience of an online auction
New York City’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services announced a partnership with two of large U.S. auctioneers, Property Room.com and Copart, to move their city fleet vehicle auctions online. As the city with the largest municipal fleet in the country, New York City operates 27,000 vehicles and equipment pieces covering sixty city agencies. Items up for auction regularly include: police patrol units, parks forestry equipment, fire engines, DOT paving equipment, DEP sewer cleaning trucks, sanitation garbage trucks, corrections buses, and small to mid-sized sedans, as well as vehicles like hybrids.
Each year, up to 2,500 of these vehicles are replaced by newer equipment and sold by auction to the general public. Prior to this online partnership, the city offered these vehicles in a public auction, in which customers had to be present to bid. Now customers can access hundreds of vehicles with the convenience of an online auction. This partnership also frees up six acres at the Brooklyn Navy Yard for use and development by the city and relieves the city of the substantial cost of managing these auctions itself. The transition to online auction gives New York City access to an expanded buyer base, which translates into higher potential returns.
“New York City’s fleet vehicles have historically generated a lot of local interest at auction,” says City Chief Fleet Officer Keith Kerman. “Through this partnership, New York City will access a greatly expanded, national audience for resale of our unique fleet offerings.”
Property Room says it now partners with more than 2,800 law enforcement agencies and municipalities to place their surplus and seized items online. To date, communities across the United States have benefited from more than $41 million in returned proceeds.
“Convenience, range of inventory and great deals are all driving forces for online customers,” said Tom Lane, founder of Property Room. “This partnership ensures buyers can access hundreds of fleet vehicles, pre-owned cars and trucks and purchase them for impressive prices.”
These online auctions are open to the public by registering at Copart.com. All auctions are anonymous and bidders can track the progress of each auction as it takes place.
