RM Auctions announced the purchase of the former Kruse Auction Park located in Auburn, Indiana by a newly-created subsidiary of RM from long-time automobile auctioneer, Dean V. Kruse.
As part of RM Auctions’ overall expansion plans, Chairman and Founder Rob Myers also announced the formation of Auctions America, a new RM subsidiary created to operate the 235-acre auction facility. Auctions America will focus its efforts in the presentation of the popular 1950s and ‘60s classics, customs and muscle car segment of the collector car market.
RM stated that former owner Dean Kruse and/or any of the Kruse Companies do not have any vested or legal interest in the Auctions America by RM company, its auctions and/or in the Auburn auction park real estate.
RM Auctions plans to continue its annual calendar of events, and the two separate RM auction companies, each with its own focused brand identity, aim to serve the entire spectrum of the collector car market with the superior level of client service for which RM has become known.
Under the Auctions America by RM banner, the tradition of staging what was once the world’s largest automobile auction held in conjunction with the Auburn, Cord, Duesenberg Festival each Labor Day weekend, will mark its 40th year, September 2 to 6, 2010 in Auburn.
“The very first collector car auction I attended was the one held on Labor Day weekend in Auburn back in 1974. The ACD Festival and auction weekend has been a tradition for me ever since,” stated Myers. “All of us within the RM group of companies are very excited to take on these new opportunities and we look forward to upgrading the auction park and continuing to serve our clients and friends with a venue like Auburn.”
Donnie Gould, RM Auctions partner and collector car expert, has been appointed President of Auctions America by RM. Gould will work closely with Ed Cepuran in his new role as Chief Financial Officer of RM’s new subsidiary. Serving as General Manager, the day-to-day aspects of the business will be overseen by RM car specialist, Ken Wallace.
“RM Auctions has so many customers active in the buying and selling of muscle cars, customs, street rods and just plain great old cars that we simply cannot service them all with our existing venues,” said Gould. “We believe the Auburn location is ideal for this biggest segment of the market with its freeway access, huge parking lots, and motorcoach and swap meet facilities. We are all very excited to get started.”
The Auburn Auction Park is located at 5540 County Road 11-A, Auburn, IN 46706. Originally opened in 1989, it is considered one of the best facilities of its kind by car enthusiasts from across the country. For more information or to consign a car to this year’s Labor Day weekend auction, please call 1-877-906-2437 or visit www.auctionsamerica.com.
[Source: RM Auctions]
Well, another brilliant move by the geniuses at RM. When you’re a Canadian, the American audiences usually respect you, but don’t play in your sandbox. The way RM has done this, it appears that with a name like Auctions America, it will be essentially “home-grown, home-based” in the US, even though it is owned by a Canadian firm. Everyone is happy with a solution like that. Brilliant! And it also serves as a different “tier” in case RM wants to keep their own name as the “premier” auction house offering blue-chip material, whilst channeling volume of entry-level and mid-level vehicles such as at their Novi, MI, venue, under a “Common-Man” auction house. Well done!