Online vehicle remarketing and auction specialist Cars Direct is expanding its operations due to increased demand for its services in the first half of the year.

Managing director of Cars Direct Andy Brown said: “We have seen a significant increase in demand for our services since the start of the year, with new and existing vendors bringing more cars and light commercials to market.

“Vehicle sales volumes in the first quarter were up by 50% over the same period last year and around a quarter of those vehicles are coming from new vendors. The increased volume means we are now able to offer an even wider choice to our trade buyer community.”

“We were reaching close to capacity and it’s great to be able to expand and invest in our future.

As a result, the Corby-based company has appointed Ed Roots as its new business development coordinator, to ensure trade buyers continue to get high levels of personal service when working with CD Fleet Services.

Roots joined the company early this year and is a graduate in business enterprise. He has also worked as both a technician and a sales executive in franchised new car dealerships.

Cars Direct has also completed negotiations with local land owners to increase its secure storage capacity, to cope with the increased number of vehicles being handled.