SMA Leeds car auctioneers smash sales record

SMA Leeds auctioneers sold a record 1,204 cars last week – and in doing so smashed the company’s previous week’s best set less than seven days before.

In what can only be described as an incredible turnaround for the Leeds site, employees who stared at redundancy just two days before Christmas last year are now celebrating the new sales record for used cars and light commercial vehicles sold in five working days.

While new owners Bob Anderson and Kevin Bann set their ambitions on breaking the 1,200 barrier when handed the keys to the Pontefract Lane site on January 5, both freely admit to being overwhelmed by the speed in which their target has been achieved.

Mr Bann said: “We had faith and belief that, with the right support from our side, the fortunes of the Leeds site would be turned around. Breaking the magical 1,200 mark is testament to the hard work and dedication of all involved.”

He added: “The previous week we sold slightly over 1,100 cars which was a terrific achievement but, in truth, Bob and I set our sights on the 1,200 mark when we took over the site and we knew it would only be a matter of time before that was reached. Little did we know it’d take just a week longer to achieve our goal.

“Our level of service and commitment to both our vendors and buyers will ensure the 1,200 barrier will be regularly breached.”

Mr Anderson added: “We don’t really like to look back, but the truth is on December 23, 140 people working here at Leeds were staring at an uncertain future due to circumstances beyond their control.

“Fortunately we managed to acquire the business. Because of our belief in the qualities and commitment of every team member here we undertook a strategy to keep everyone employed and as this landmark achievement has proved, that was the right decision for all as the site is now going from strength-to-strength. Our sights are now firmly set on breaking the 1,500 mark.”