CARY, N.C. -

We start this auction news roundup with the latest from Black Widow Imaging.

The company announced two upgrades to its high-definition image capturing system on Wednesday. First, the platform now captures 17 images, up from seven.

Additionally, Black Widow also introduced automated background replacement software for automakers and dealers, through which the company can remove backgrounds in images and replace them with customizable backgrounds.

“These patent pending advancements allow our auction and dealers customers to deliver more, high-quality images of the vehicles they are trying to sell, faster to the market. Effectively allowing them to market their newly purchased inventory before the actual product arrives on their lot.” Black Widow founder and chief executive officer Jason Hauk said in a news release.

“The patent pending automated background replacement is the first in our industry,” he said.

Later in the release, Hauk emphasized the need for capturing high-quality images for both auctions and dealers.

“For over a decade, we knew the game was going to change. Auctions have needed to provide more transparency and accuracy of the vehicles to the dealer’s purchasing for the end consumer,” he said.

“It starts with capturing high quality images, but it is as much if not more about capturing loss revenue and savings that go straight to the bottom line by getting vehicles to the market faster,” Hauk said. “It’s time we give the employees at these dealers and auctions an automated tool that provides consistent results.  Mobile devices are intended for viewing images of vehicles for sale, not capturing them.” 

Credit Acceptance honors top auctions

In other news from the auction world, Credit Acceptance Corp. has named its National Auction of the Year award winners for 2021.

The honorees include:

— ADESA Knoxville, National High-Volume Market

— Dealers Auto Auction Group of Huntsville, National Small-Volume Market

— 166 Auto Auction, Midwest Regional High-Volume Market

— ADESA Knoxville, Southeast Regional High-Volume Market

— ADESA Phoenix, West Coast Regional High-Volume Market

— Manheim Baltimore/Washington, NE Regional High-Volume Market

— Manheim DFW, Southwest Regional High-Volume Market

Dealer Auto Auction Group shared the list of honorees in a news release.

“We truly appreciate the recognition by Credit Acceptance Corporation, we are very proud of the leadership and dedication of our employees that make up the team in Huntsville,” DAAG chief executive officer David Andrews said in the release.