ADESA  announced that it is breaking ground on a major construction project in Las Vegas with a brand-new whole car auction facility. Named ADESA Las Vegas, the site located just 10 miles north of the famous Las Vegas strip will firmly establish ADESA in the nation’s 28^th largest metropolitan area.

“The addition of ADESA Las Vegas will allow us to expand our geographic footprint in a major market that ADESA previously did not have a presence,” said ADESA President and CEO Tom Caruso. “This facility will enable us to enhance our offerings to both our national consignors as well as local dealers in this region.”

Along with a prime location, this greenfield auction will also have full detailing capabilities, a complete reconditioning shop, body shop and mechanic shop. All auction lanes will be equipped with digital and audio feeds for online auction capability and Automotive Finance Corporation will be located on site. Other customer amenities will include a full-service cafeteria and dealer lounge equipped with online workstations for easy access to inventory on LiveBlock and DealerBlock.

ADESA is currently scheduled to begin marshalling vehicles for a major consignor at ADESA Las Vegas later this month. The new facility is expected to open for business in Spring 2011.

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ADESA today announced that it has entered into a strategic alliance with the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, the “World’s Greatest Collector Car AuctionsTM.”

“It’s an honor to work with the world’s most prestigious collector car auction chain that also hosts highly anticipated events in the industry,” said ADESA CEO and President Tom Caruso. “ADESA will continue to find new avenues to strengthen the alliance and expand this partnership over time. I know this car guy looks forward to attending the 3rd Annual Las Vegas Auction this week.”

ADESA will participate in Barrett-Jackson’s year-long 40th anniversary celebration, including an upcoming special event sale at ADESA Phoenix for both ADESA and Barrett-Jackson customers. Both companies will cooperatively raise awareness of each other’s products and services, such as the Barrett-Jackson Endorsed Collector Car Insurance, as well as upcoming events nationwide.

There are multiple advantages to this alliance. It leverages the expertise of both companies by joining the synergies of ADESA and Barrett-Jackson. Combining products and services adds value to a common customer base. And, joint marketing and advertising efforts will expand visibility for both auction companies across a shared international market.

“This is a wonderful match for Barrett-Jackson,” said Craig Jackson, Barrett-Jackson CEO and chairman. “This partnership provides visibility of Barrett-Jackson’s numerous offerings to a shared customer base. ADESA’s entire business model is catered to car guys—and car guys love classic cars. I’m pleased to share our auction experience and hope they’re also excited by this joint venture.”

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According to a press release by KAR Holdings the parent company of ADESA

KAR Holdings, Inc., a leading provider of wholesale used vehicle and salvage auction services in North America, announced today that it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of its common stock. The Company intends to apply to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange.

ADESA CEO Tom Caruso

KAR Holdings, Inc.  announced in a press release yesterday that Tom Caruso, ADESA, Inc.’s Chief Operating Officer, will assume his new role as Chief Executive Officer and President of ADESA effective immediately.

Tom Caruso commented, “I look forward to the new challenges as CEO and President of ADESA. In my new role, I will focus on providing leadership to all of the employees of ADESA while ensuring we provide exceptional service to all of our customers.”

A man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly threatening a co-worker with a knife, according to witnesses and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies say Saul Garcia, 35, told a younger co-worker that he would seriously hurt him and send him to the hospital.

A driver for west-of-Tracy car auctioneers Adesa Golden Gate, Garcia is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and was booked at San Joaquin County Jail in French Camp.

Garcia’s manager Gary Mobley said that a woman employee told a 21-year-old co-worker that Garcia had said something offensive about her.

The younger employee decided to defend her and picked a fight with Garcia, Mobley said.

“It started with an argument between two employees inside of a van,” Mobley said. “And one guy decided to stick up for his female co-worker.”

Garcia pushed the other man out of the van and they rushed into the personnel office, where supervisors separated them and called the police.

Employees told sheriff’s deputies that the fight started while the employees were being shuttled to different parts of the car auction compound so they could drive cars to their buyers.

• Contact a Tracy Press reporter or editor at 835-3030 or tpnews@tracypress.com.

According th their press release:

“Don Gottwald has been named AFC’s new president and CEO, effective immediately. Gottwald will report directly to KAR Holdings, Inc.’s Chairman and CEO, Brian Clingen.”

According to a press release from the auto channel:

CARMEL, Ind. November 13, 2008: AR Holdings, Inc. today reported its third quarter financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2008. For the third quarter of 2008, the company reported revenue of $444.6 million as compared with third quarter 2007 revenue of $394.3 million, an increase of 12.8%. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding pro forma adjustments for recent acquisitions and cost savings as defined in the company’s senior credit facility dated April 20, 2007, increased 4.2% to $101.8 million in the third quarter of 2008, as compared with third quarter 2007 adjusted EBITDA of $97.7 million.

The official statement off of their site:

Carmel, IN, September 9, 2008 – KAR Holdings, Inc. announced today the completion of the sale and leaseback of land at seven used vehicle auctions located in the states of California, Florida, Texas and Washington. The company received net cash proceeds of approximately $73.1 million from the sale of the land. The transaction includes lease agreements with initial terms of 20 years each, plus multiple renewal options. The properties will continue to house ADESA’s used vehicle auctions. KAR Holdings, Inc. will utilize 50% of the net proceeds to repay debt in accordance with terms of its Senior Credit Agreement.

Market watch has a much more detailed report that includes a plan to spend $12.5 million of those proceeds on improvements to the San Diego location.