Cox Automotive’s Statement on COVID-19

A Note from Cox Automotive CEO Sandy Schwartz Regarding COVID-19

Let’s just say this about COVID-19: We’re all in it together. Our job is to help make the automotive industry as good as it can be, and that has never been more apparent or more important than right now. Like so many others, Cox Automotive is looking for every opportunity to keep our people healthy, to keep our partners’ and clients’ businesses healthy, and to do our part to prevent the virus from spreading further.

We’re doing everything we can to keep the automotive marketplace up and running. That includes taking the steps outlined below to protect our people and deliver the best possible service through this unusual disruption. We’re monitoring the situation by the hour and we’re ready to move quickly with additional protocols should we need them.

We’ve promised to do our best for everyone and you can count on us to help lead the industry at this critical moment. If you want to talk about our response or how we can help you navigate these uncharted circumstances, please give us a call.

Thank you for your continued trust and partnership, and for caring about each other – especially those who may be suffering the most from the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We’ll get through this together.

Be well and be kind,

Sandy Schwartz
CEO, Cox Automotive

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Overview 

Cox Automotive is taking multiple steps to maintain business continuity with our clients, customers and partners while ensuring the safety of our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal is to do the right thing to keep employees healthy, to keep our business moving forward, and to do our part to keep the virus from becoming a larger-scale pandemic. We are in close contact with government and health officials as this situation evolves. Here’s a summary of key measures the company has taken: 

Employee Safety 

In keeping with the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cox Automotive continues to prioritize the health and safety of its employees, customers and communities. To that end, Cox Automotive is encouraging those who can work remotely to do so through Tuesday, March 31. By having most people work from home, it will help make the environment in our offices safer for those who do have to be onsite to perform their jobs. Employees who must be in the office are being asked to avoid face-to-face meetings as much as possible.  

We’ve asked all Cox Automotive employees to refrain from international business travel, limit travel to client-essential domestic trips only and avoid large group meetings and attendance at external events.  

We’re sending ongoing communications to team members to follow CDC guidelines, including practicing appropriate sanitation, staying away from people who are sick, and observing CDC suggested 14-day quarantines at home if they’ve traveled to Level 3 countries or come in close contact with those who have. Further, Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Automotive, has announced enhanced medical benefits for its workforce, including free or reduced-cost telephonic access to health care providers and cost waivers for COVID-19 diagnostic testing.  

Customer Safety 

Currently, Manheim’s 76 physical auction locations and diverse digital channels are fully operational to serve customers’ buying and selling business needs. However, due to ongoing public health concerns and the safety of all involved, we have decided to implement Simulcast-only sales at all of our locations effective Monday, March 16. The Simulcast-only sales will run as a postcard sale – with vehicles shown as images only. We will not be running cars down the lane and buyers will not be allowed in the offices or lanes to place bids during the sale. Manheim will waive the Simulcast Success Fee for both buyers and sellers through Friday, April 3.

See the latest message from Grace Huang, president, Manheim.

Find out more information on Manheim’s COVID-19 response. 

Business Continuity 

We have activated our Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for pandemic situations to ensure the continuation of services and to establish ongoing communications between key stakeholders as incidents occur and circumstances evolve.  All services being provided to our clients are being closely monitored and assessed for any risk relating to the COVID-19 situation.  As part of our BCP plan, we are in contact with critical third parties to verify their ability to provide continued support of our business. 

This article has been updated with additional details. The original article was published on March 11, 2020.

See all COVID-19 related business updates.