Edmonton, Alberta — Cox Automotive is cutting loose 80 employees in Canada as it closes its Manheim auction operation, saying that the local wholesale market meant that the business no longer fit Cox’s growth plans for the future.
“It’s never easy when we make these decisions. Unfortunately, Edmonton is not going to be a part of that plan going forward,” said Matt Trapp, in an interview with Automotive News Canada on Mar. 15.
Of the 40-strong staff formerly employed in Edmonton, six will remain to maintain operations across Western Canada.
Another 40 employees, largely in support and sales, have also been laid off across offices in Vancouver, Milton, Ont., Saint-Eustache, Que., Moncton, and Halifax.
The Edmonton location’s last public auction will take place on Saturday, and the final commercial physical sale Thursday.
Accounting for the layoffs, Cox Automotive employs about 400 staff across Canada in its Manheim auction business, NextGear financing and VAuto inventory management software businesses. Canada will not impact its business or clients in other markets, said the company.
