Manheim Australia is undertaking the largest property investment program in its local history, with hundreds of millions of dollars being directed towards new auction, storage, inspection and vehicle processing facilities.
The program will reshape Manheim’s operations in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, with new sites designed to support automotive, salvage and industrial asset remarketing.
For fleet operators, leasing companies, governments, lenders and dealers, the investment is expected to increase storage capacity while introducing more advanced vehicle inspection, imaging and online auction technology.
Brisbane marks the first major opening
The first facility completed under the program is Manheim’s new automotive auction site at 50 Trade Coast Drive in Brisbane.
The 44,000-square-metre development held its first weekly public auction on 7 July 2026, with more than 400 vehicles consigned by government agencies, leasing companies, corporate fleets, lenders and dealers.
The site has capacity for more than 1,200 vehicles, including undercover storage for around 1,000 cars. Its warehouse can support four simultaneous drive-through auctions, along with detailing bays and vehicle photography facilities.
Two Detectary booths provide under-vehicle images and 360-degree interior and exterior photography. Manheim said the booths are intended to create clearer and more consistent images for buyers inspecting vehicles online.
The Brisbane development also includes two auction lanes, four auction boxes, high-definition cameras, upgraded audio systems and large screens supporting live auction simulcasts.
A six-hoist workshop provides capacity for vehicle inspections, while customer service areas, offices and onsite parking have also been incorporated into the development.
Manheim has also opened new salvage and industrial yards at Pinkenba. The salvage yard uses new racking that allows vehicles to be stored vertically, improving accessibility while making more efficient use of the available space.
Major new Sydney site
Manheim’s Sydney auction and processing operations are scheduled to move from Moorebank to a new facility at Kemps Creek.
The 130,000-square-metre site is expected to begin operating during the fourth quarter of 2026.
Plans for the development include space for 1,296 vehicles under hail netting and a further 300 cars under cover. The facility will also be able to accommodate approximately 2,200 salvage vehicles, including 1,680 stored in racking.
Industrial equipment areas and physical auction lanes will form part of the site.
The increased capacity should allow Manheim to process a larger mix of passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, damaged vehicles and industrial equipment within one operation.
For fleet sellers, the larger site may provide additional flexibility when managing high-volume vehicle disposal programs or remarketing vehicles following major replacement cycles.
Melbourne operations to move to Truganina
Manheim is also developing a new greenfield facility at Truganina in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
The development will replace the company’s existing Altona operation and is expected to open by the second quarter of 2027.
At approximately 250,000 square metres, the Truganina site will be the largest of the developments outlined by Manheim.
It will include space for 3,438 cars under salvage netting and 2,611 damaged vehicles within the salvage operation. An industrial equipment section and capacity for four simultaneous physical auction lanes are also planned.
Manheim intends to continue offering in-lane auctions alongside online bidding, reflecting the continuing demand for both physical vehicle inspection and digital participation.
The company’s corporate office and Australian headquarters will also move from Altona to a new location closer to central Melbourne, potentially from late 2026.
Investment in imaging, scanning and security
The new sites are being designed with upgraded security and vehicle assessment technology.
Security measures will include palisade or electric fencing and extensive camera coverage.
Manheim also plans to introduce more sophisticated vehicle imaging, scanning and damage detection systems across the facilities. Training for the new technology will be overseen by the Melbourne-based Manheim Centre of Excellence.
The investment reflects the increasing importance of accurate vehicle condition information within the used-vehicle and fleet remarketing market.
Many buyers now participate remotely, making consistent photography, condition reports and live auction coverage important parts of the disposal process.
Better vehicle imaging does not remove the need for careful inspections or independent assessment, but it can give online buyers more information before deciding whether to bid.
Building long-term operational capacity
Cox Automotive Australia CEO Stephen Lester said the investment demonstrated Manheim’s commitment to its automotive, salvage and industrial customers.
“These significant and exciting capital investments demonstrate Manheim’s commitment to excellence for our thousands of buyer and seller partners across the automotive, salvage and industrial sectors, and will take our operational capabilities to new heights,” Lester said.
“Modern, future-proof, newly built and with long-term leases, these facilities demonstrate our commitment to the Australian market as a leading asset auctioneer and will give our people an even better day-to-day working experience to boot.”
The program follows Manheim’s recent property activity in Perth and represents a significant upgrade to the company’s national infrastructure.
While the new facilities provide greater capacity and technology, their value to fleet customers will ultimately depend on how effectively the additional capability supports vehicle preparation, inspection, sale times and remarketing results.
With Brisbane now operating and major developments underway in Sydney and Melbourne, Manheim’s investment is set to change how the company handles fleet vehicles, salvage assets and industrial equipment across Australia.
