MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — Hundreds of dealers decided to celebrate Charleston Auto Auction's ninth anniversary recently. The operation enjoyed a record-breaking crowd of more than 650 dealers at its event last Friday.

Dealers participated in a $1 million sweepstakes as well as drawings for $50,000 in cash and other prizes. Charleston AA also highlighted that 1,300 vehicles going through the lanes at the event sparked the interest of just about every type of dealer.

Auction executives counted more than 200 franchise dealer trades from more than 30 new-car stores. Furthermore, more than 350 units from their institutional accounts were moved, including 70 Toyotas units that had all factory recall repairs completed.

Charleston AA indicated that its anniversary sale also included more than 700 vehicles consigned by independent dealers and wholesalers. The auction also set up a "Big Boys Toys" lane featuring RVs, ATVs, motorcycles, boats and classic cars.

Along with the number of dealers on location, Charleston AA also said it set a record of more than 70 dealers signing on for simulcast.

Though no one claimed the $1 million sweepstakes, the auction pointed out that 24 dealers split $50,000 in cash and prizes.

"Although it was cloudy and drizzling most of the day, that did not stop our great dealers from coming out and celebrating our ninth anniversary sale." noted Laura Taylor, Charleston AA's general manager.

"We are extremely pleased with both the high consignment and the record breaking turnout. The fact that we can offer this amount of vehicles at a time when most dealers have such a depleted inventory proves once again that buyers and sellers can count on us," she continued.

Taylor added that despite no one hitting the $1 million jackpot, she hopes dealers continue to participate in the auction's future anniversary celebrations.

"Every year we give our dealers the best odds they will ever have at winning $1 million," Taylor said.

"I know someone is going to hit it soon. I guess we will have to wait until next year to find out," she concluded.