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A History Of Auto Auction Pioneers
Few industry outsiders realize the size, scope and strategic importance the wholesale motor vehicle auction industry plays in fueling the U.S
. auto industry and ultimately the national economy.In 2009 alone, National Auto Auction Association (NAAA) North American member auctions moved almost 14.7 million vehicles through their lanes at a sales rate of 61%. Over 8.9 million vehicles were sold at an average sale price of $9,026, representing a combined gross value of $80.9 billion.
As a reference, if that $80.9 billion in combined gross value was considered as sales revenue, those NAAA member auctions as a single company would rank 21st in the Fortune 500 annual list of America's largest corporations, behind Proctor & Gamble at $83.5 billion and ahead of Kroger at $76 billion, Marathon Oil at $73 billion and Costco at $72 billion.
Unfortunately, , even as the NAAA celebrates its 62nd Anniversary and salutes a number of member auctions celebrating significant milestone anniversaries, information about the early beginnings of the auction industry is hard to come by. Only a patient and diligent search of industry publications and websites reveals some insight into the accomplishments and achievements of a few early pioneers.
J.M. Rawls - Rawls Auto Auction, Leesville, SC
J.M. "Martin" Rawls is recognized as holding the first wholesale auto auction. Rawls was a farmer at heart and owner of Rawls Auto Sales, a used-car outlet in Leesville, South Carolina. After attending a cattle auction in Columbia, he wondered if cars could also be sold the same way. In March of 1938, Rawls and his partner, S.L. "Monty" Montgomery, decided to give it a try. They built an auction booth in the garage at Rawls Auto Sales and hired Col. R.H. Sapp as their auctioneer. About 35 dealers watched as they drove a Ford Model A and fewer than 50 other cars through the line.
The early going was tough, but word soon spread. Rawls moved the auction site to a downtown theater building to accommodate the growing crowds. Currently located on a modern forty acre site, the 7-lane auction now known for its sharp focus on customer service has come a long way from its humble beginnings. In recognition of his long term service to the wholesale motor vehicle industry, Rawls was inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame in 1972.
J. Frank Brasher - Brasher's Salt Lake Auto Auction
Frank Brasher founded Salt Lake Auto Auction in 1949, just as the auto industry was slowly coming back to its strength following World War II. Over the years, Brasher pioneered a number of customer-focused innovations and built a loyal following among dealers from Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Colorado, California, Washington, Oregon, Montana and Canada. The Salt Lake Auto Auction was the first to offer full reconditioning and dealer floor planning, which Frank introduced in the 1950s. Transport service by an auction-owned fleet began in the 1960s. Salt Lake Auto Auction was also among the first in the country to host sales for Ford, General Motors, and Chrysler in the 1960s. Today, the spacious, modern facility encompasses 70-acres, including a 17,000 square foot main office and storage for over 7,500 vehicles. Frank J. Brasher served as NAAA President in 1973 and was inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame in 1987. A son, Larry F. Brasher, also served as NAAA President in 1989 and was inducted into the NAAA Hall of Fame in 2005.
Irving Mondore - Central New York Auto Auction
The CNY Auto Auction is a tribute to Irving Mondore, a former dairy farmer and used car salesman who founded the Syracuse Auto Auction in 1954. The fledgling auction struggled at first. However, a major turning point occurred in 1962, when Mondore changed the auction to an evening sale. His daring idea was met with immediate success and crowds suddenly doubled in size. A new multi-lane facility was soon constructed, but it was Mondore's emphasis on superior customer service with indifference to dealer size that was the prime contributor to the auction's success. In 1997, the auction was purchased by James Damiano, owner of Damiano Motors LTD, and Robert Ryan. To better identify its central location, they changed the name to Central New York Auto Auction. In 2001, Damiano became sole owner and soon initiated a number of significant improvements. In 2004, a new state-of-the-art facility was built adjacent to the original building. It included 8,000 square feet of auction lanes and "Doc's Diner," a cafeteria named in honor of Damiano's late father, Dr. Richard Damiano. Doc's Diner is tastefully finished in a 1950's decor to reinforce the proud history of the auction.
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