Forget silent auction paddles and dimly lit warehouses, because the auto auction industry has roared into a multi-billion dollar digital arena where a staggering $112.4 billion changed hands in the US alone last year.
Key Takeaways
- The global auto auction market size was valued at USD 28.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 45.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2030.
- In the US, the auto auction industry generated $112.4 billion in revenue in 2023, with online auctions accounting for 42% of total sales volume.
- North America's auto auction market dominated with 38% global share in 2022, driven by high vehicle remarketing volumes post-pandemic.
- Manheim conducted 2.9 million wholesale auction transactions in 2023, generating $58 billion in sales.
- Average wholesale auction price for used cars in the US rose to $25,843 in December 2023, up 3.2% YoY.
- IAA sold 1.7 million total loss vehicles at auction in 2023, with average sale price of $12,450.
- Passenger cars comprised 68% of US auction inventory in 2023, totaling 5.5 million units.
- SUVs/Crossovers made up 42% of wholesale auction sales volume in US 2023, 3.4 million units.
- Salvage vehicles represented 25% of total auto auction inventory in North America 2023.
- Southeast US auctions handled 28% of national inventory volume in 2023.
- California led US states with 1.2 million auction vehicles processed in 2023.
- Texas auto auction volumes reached 950,000 units, 12% national share in 2023.
- Digital adoption in auto auctions reached 72% of transactions in US by 2023.
- AI-powered vehicle condition reports boosted bid confidence by 25% in 2023 auctions.
- Blockchain for title transfer implemented in 15% of US auctions, reducing fraud 40% in 2023.
The auto auction industry is expanding robustly worldwide, driven by growing online sales.
Industry Trends & Technology
- Digital adoption in auto auctions reached 72% of transactions in US by 2023.
- AI-powered vehicle condition reports boosted bid confidence by 25% in 2023 auctions.
- Blockchain for title transfer implemented in 15% of US auctions, reducing fraud 40% in 2023.
- Mobile bidding apps saw 300% usage growth since 2020, 2.5 million users US 2023.
- VR/AR inspections adopted by 20% of major auction houses for remote viewing 2023.
- Sustainability initiatives: 45% of auctions offered carbon offset for shipping in 2023.
- Data analytics predicted wholesale prices with 92% accuracy at Manheim in 2023.
- Simulcast auctions hit 85% penetration in dealer networks US 2023.
- NFT vehicle provenance tracking piloted in 5% luxury auctions globally 2023.
- Robotic inspections scanned 1.8 million vehicles at auctions, 98% accuracy 2023.
- ESG compliance reporting became mandatory for 60% EU auctions in 2023.
- 5G-enabled live streaming reduced latency to <1s in 70% online auctions 2023.
- Dealer participation via APIs grew 35% to 12,000 integrations in 2023 US.
- Predictive maintenance data from OEMs fed into 40% auction listings 2023.
- Cybersecurity incidents dropped 50% after MFA adoption in 90% platforms 2023.
- Hybrid auction formats (live+online) accounted for 55% of volumes in 2023.
Industry Trends & Technology Interpretation
The auto auction industry has become a surprisingly sophisticated tech bazaar where dealers, now armed with AI reports and mobile apps, bid with robotic confidence on cars they can inspect via VR while blockchain quietly secures the title and carbon offsets soothe their environmental conscience.
Market Size & Growth
- The global auto auction market size was valued at USD 28.5 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 45.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2023 to 2030.
- In the US, the auto auction industry generated $112.4 billion in revenue in 2023, with online auctions accounting for 42% of total sales volume.
- North America's auto auction market dominated with 38% global share in 2022, driven by high vehicle remarketing volumes post-pandemic.
- The European auto auction sector saw a 15% YoY growth in 2023, reaching €22.7 billion, fueled by fleet disposals and EV transitions.
- Asia-Pacific auto auction market is expected to grow fastest at 8.2% CAGR through 2028, valued at $7.9 billion in 2022 due to rising used car demand in China and India.
- US auto auction wholesale volumes hit 8.1 million units in 2023, up 5% from 2022, per Manheim data.
- The remarketing auction segment held 55% of the global auto auction market revenue in 2023.
- Dealer-to-dealer auto auctions in the US grew by 11% in transaction value to $85 billion in 2022.
- Public auto auction platforms expanded 22% in market share from 2020-2023 globally.
- Latin America's auto auction industry reached $4.2 billion in 2023, with Brazil leading at 60% regional share.
Market Size & Growth Interpretation
While the auto auction industry is shifting into high gear with impressive global growth, online lanes are driving the future, dealer networks are humming with activity, and remarketing continues to be the engine room where most of the serious money is made.
Regional Distribution
- Southeast US auctions handled 28% of national inventory volume in 2023.
- California led US states with 1.2 million auction vehicles processed in 2023.
- Texas auto auction volumes reached 950,000 units, 12% national share in 2023.
- Florida's salvage auctions grew 20% to 650,000 units amid hurricane activity 2023.
- Midwest US auctions saw 22% of dealer consignments, 1.8 million units 2023.
- UK's auto auction market concentrated 45% in England, 1.1 million vehicles 2023.
- Germany's remarketing auctions handled 850,000 units, leading EU in 2023.
- China's used car auctions exploded to 12 million units in 2023, 60% APAC share.
- Brazil's auto auctions processed 750,000 vehicles, up 15% in South America 2023.
- Northeast US auction prices 8% above national average due to low supply 2023.
- Australia's auction volumes hit 400,000 units, led by Melbourne and Sydney 2023.
- Canada's Ontario province dominated with 55% national auction share, 550,000 units 2023.
- Mexico City auctions grew 25% to 200,000 units amid economic recovery 2023.
- France's Paris region auctions: 320,000 vehicles, 40% national total 2023.
- India's Mumbai-Delhi corridor handled 1.5 million auction units in 2023.
- Pacific Northwest US auctions: 15% EV inventory share vs 8% national 2023.
- Spain's Barcelona auctions up 18% to 150,000 units post-tourism rebound 2023.
- Online platforms reduced physical auction dependency to 35% in US Northeast 2023.
Regional Distribution Interpretation
The world's auto auction scene in 2023 was a global tale of regional titans, where the Southeast US proved to be America's auction powerhouse, China rewrote the rulebook on scale, and even hurricanes in Florida couldn't dampen the industry's relentless growth and adaptation to the digital age.
Sales Volume & Revenue
- Manheim conducted 2.9 million wholesale auction transactions in 2023, generating $58 billion in sales.
- Average wholesale auction price for used cars in the US rose to $25,843 in December 2023, up 3.2% YoY.
- IAA sold 1.7 million total loss vehicles at auction in 2023, with average sale price of $12,450.
- ADESA auctions processed 1.2 million vehicles in 2023, achieving 92% sell-through rate with $28 billion GMV.
- Online auto auctions captured 65% of total US wholesale volume in Q4 2023, per NAAA.
- Ritchie Bros. auto auctions generated $4.1 billion in 2023 from 450,000+ lots sold worldwide.
- US dealer consignments at auctions totaled 4.5 million units in 2023, up 7% YoY.
- Fleet/lease vehicles sold at US auctions averaged $23,100 per unit in 2023, contributing 28% of volume.
- Salvage auto auctions in Europe reached €3.8 billion in sales in 2023, with 1.1 million units.
- Copart auctioned 2.4 million vehicles globally in FY2023, with revenue of $3.9 billion.
- Manheim's average conversion rate at auctions was 88.5% in 2023 for dealer sales.
- US rental fleet vehicles auctioned 850,000 units in 2023, average price $21,750.
- Online simulcast auctions grew 18% in volume to 3.2 million units in US 2023.
- Trade-ins remarketed via auctions hit 2.1 million units, $45 billion value in 2023 US.
- Commercial truck auctions added $12 billion to US auto auction revenue in 2023.
- Repossessed vehicles sold at auction: 650,000 units in US 2023, avg $18,200.
- Luxury vehicle auctions generated $8.5 billion globally in 2023 via platforms like RM Sotheby's.
- Hybrid/EV wholesale auction prices averaged $32,100 in US Q4 2023.
- BCA Europe auction sales hit 1.8 million vehicles, €15 billion turnover in 2023.
- US public auto auctions sold 450,000 vehicles to consumers in 2023, avg $15,800.
Sales Volume & Revenue Interpretation
The auto auction industry had a record-breaking $58 billion year because, for everything from pristine rentals to salvaged wrecks, there's always a buyer and a price—even if that price is now a hefty $25,843 on average.
Vehicle Inventory & Types
- Passenger cars comprised 68% of US auction inventory in 2023, totaling 5.5 million units.
- SUVs/Crossovers made up 42% of wholesale auction sales volume in US 2023, 3.4 million units.
- Salvage vehicles represented 25% of total auto auction inventory in North America 2023.
- EVs in US auction inventory grew 150% YoY to 180,000 units in 2023.
- Pickup trucks averaged 18% of auction volumes, 1.45 million units sold US 2023.
- Clean retail vehicles at auctions: 55% of inventory, avg age 3.8 years in 2023 US.
- Off-lease vehicles dominated luxury segment at 35% of high-end auction inventory 2023.
- Diesel vehicles fell to 8% of European auction inventory in 2023 amid emission regulations.
- Motorcycles and powersports added 120,000 units to US auction inventory in 2023.
- Average mileage on auction vehicles in US was 62,400 miles in 2023.
- Flood-damaged vehicles spiked to 250,000 units in salvage auctions post-2023 storms.
- Sedans dropped to 22% of auction inventory share in US 2023 from 30% in 2020.
- Commercial vans/LT vehicles: 12% of inventory, 950,000 units auctioned US 2023.
- Certified pre-owned vehicles comprised 28% of dealer auction inventory 2023.
- Heavy-duty trucks: 5.2% of total auction inventory, avg $45,000 sale price US 2023.
- Convertibles and specialty cars: 1.8% of inventory, 145,000 units globally 2023.
- Average vehicle age at auction increased to 4.2 years in Europe 2023.
- RVs and motorhomes auctioned: 85,000 units, 3% of specialty inventory US 2023.
Vehicle Inventory & Types Interpretation
While America’s auction lots are stubbornly clinging to their gas-guzzling, accident-prone past—with salvage titles aplenty and SUVs dominating the sales block—the future is quietly arriving, one rapidly depreciating EV at a time.
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