MONCKS CORNER, S.C. -

Charleston Auto Auction celebrated its 11th anniversary with a record breaking crowd as dealers traveled from all over the country, pushing the attendance to more than 750.

Before more than 1,300 vehicles were offered for sale, the day began with free breakfast, live music and remarks by John Brown, executive director of the Carolina Independent Automobile Dealers Association.

With wholesale inventories tight and demand high, Charleston AA highlighted that not only did the anniversary sale establish a new record for dealers in the lanes but also buyers online. The auction indicated more than 110 dealers signed up for the simulcast sale.

General manager Laura Taylor mentioned the event also included more than 300 trade-in units from franchised dealers hailing from more than 35 different stores, and institutional accounts contributed more than 350 units to the sale.

Furthermore, Taylor said independent dealers and wholesalers helped to round off the sale by consigning more than 600 vehicles.  

“High consignment, record breaking turnout and an extremely high conversion rate is just the way we wanted to celebrate our 11th anniversary,” Taylor stressed.

“We had dealers in attendance who have been doing business with us for years to dealers who were attending our auction for the very first time. It was a great day and I am sure this momentum will continue through the rest of the year,” she continued.

Unfortunately, Charleston AA noted no one took home the event’s grand prize — $1 million. But auction mentioned 24 dealers shared $50,000 in cash and prizes, including $15,000 cash split between the three finalists.

“Every year we give our dealers the best odds they will ever have at winning $1 million,” Taylor emphasized. “I was really hoping this would be the year. I know someone is going to hit it soon. I guess we will have to wait until next year to find out.”

Charleston AA operates its $1 million contest by asking its three dealer finalists to select one envelope out of a total of 150. This year’s winning envelope was No. 108.

The auction said its next promotional sale will be on April 13th featuring more than 80 vehicles from Automotive Resources International (ARI).

“Join Charleston Auto Auction and ARI as we salute our servicemen and women in a special promotional sale,” Taylor recommended.

Charleston AA, a member of the American Auto Auction Group, holds a sale every Friday at 10 a.m. with a damaged and disabled sale on the second and last Friday of every month at 9 a.m. 

For more information visit, www.charlestonautoauction.com.