EAST WINDSOR, Conn. -

Southern Auto Auction is commemorating its 65th anniversary with a slew of promotions this spring that get started later this month.

The first of these celebrations is a special General Motors factory auction on March 28 where SAA will remarket the automaker’s 14 millionth vehicle.

“It is an honor for SAA to remarket the 14 millionth vehicle for GM. In our 29-year partnership, we have remarketed the 2 millionth and the 9 millionth vehicle for General Motors,” said Larry Tribble, the auction’s owner and president.

“As I look back over the years and reflect upon our GM partnership, I was astounded to realize we have sold over 850,000 cars for over $10.5 billion in gross proceeds,” he continued.

SAA will then host its Dealer Appreciation Extravaganza in April and May, where it will dole out more than $50,000 in prizes. The auction is hosting a grand prize drawing on April 11 for a 2008 Toyota Solara Convertible. All buyers and sellers of vehicles in the C lane will have the chance to win the Solara and other prizes.

The auction will then have another grand prize drawing on May 16 for buyers and sellers in it’s A and B lanes. These customers are entered to win a 2010 Mazda Miata.

Touting the loyalty of its fleet, bank and commercial accounts, SAA said it plans to recognize each fleet/lease customer during special sales for each of these accounts. These sales will take place throughout May and June.

Fleet/lease buyers during these sales will be entered to win a 2005 Nissan 350Z Roadster Touring in the grand prize drawing during the June 20 sale. When it was launched, this vehicle commemorated the 35th anniversary of the Datsun 240z.

Auction’s Growth, Future

Sharing some details about SAA’s inception and where it stands today, officials noted that since its founding in 1947, the auction has grown from a one-lane facility to a 20-lane lot with more than 4,500 units offered each week.

As I look back over the past, the key to our success remains our independence. Being independent allows SAA to instantly make decisions and changes based solely on our customers’ best interests. We answer to our customers,” Tribble said.

“To think, way back in 1947 my father had an idea to bring clean cars from the South and re-sell these vehicles. Fast forward to today where we run 20 lanes each week — I know that this has happened only through the loyal support of our customers,” he added.

Tribble continued: “Southern Auto Auction continues to thrive in a changing marketplace. Our ability to attract new institutional business as well as dealer business during the past year speaks volumes to the quality of our facility, the commitment to our customers, but most importantly our ability to deliver best in class customer service.

“With the rollout of mobile Web, the continual improvement of our online bidding tools, and the best in class technology tools we put in the hand of our buyers, sellers, and fleet/lease accounts, we remain steadfast in our commitment to our customers,” he added.

“Our facility will remain best in class and our technology will remain industry leading with the continued dedication of our employees. I cannot give enough credit to our employees in making SAA what it is today. They are the ones who deliver top tier customer service each day. In closing, I say to our employees, our customers, and our friends, ‘Thank you,’” Tribble concluded.