Dealers Auto Auction Group Acquires OKI Auto Auction of Cincinnati, OH

FRANKLIN, TN – April 13, 2023 — Dealers Auto Auction Group expands into the Cincinnati, Ohio market with the acquisition of OKI Cincinnati Auto Auction.  OKI founder, Lee Schoenling, has over fifty years’ experience in the automotive industry and opened the auction in 2000.  The auction began selling in one lane, offering roughly 75 units weekly.  After a year in business, the Schoenlings moved to a larger facility in Reading Ohio.  As the auction continued to grow, it moved to its current address at, 120 City Center Drive, Cincinnati OH and currently runs hundreds of units each week.  

Tony Schoenling, started working in the auto industry at his father’s knee. In 2001, Tony started working at the auction while also attending college. After graduating in 2005, Tony assumed greater responsibilities within the auction and earned his way into an ownership position.  Tony will continue as an invested member of DAA Cincinnati and will serve as General Manager.  Tony’s knowledge, skill, and experience, combined with DAAG’s processes and economies of scale, will provide the Cincinnati and greater Ohio valley auto dealers and auction customers with continued growth and development of competitive automotive markets and services.

Tony Schoenling commented about the acquisition; “David Andrews is a person I trust to help grow this market.  David and the Dealers Auto Auction Group team are a great fit for my team, me, and the car industry.  The timing of this acquisition is great for dealers and commercial clients looking for an auction offering high-level, personalized service in the Ohio River Valley and beyond markets”.  

David Andrews, CEO of Dealers Auto Auction Group said, “We are very excited about DAAG entering theCincinnati/Dayton market.  Tony is a smart operator, and the Schoenlings have a great history of serving their customers.  As the fourth largest auction group in the country, DAAG listens to our customers and continues to expand DAAG’s ability to provide premier services and facilities across the United States.”   David also emphasized, “DAAG continues to leverage traditional auction lanes with technology to create strong participation and interaction between our In-lane and On-line buyers and sellers.”  

Warren Byrd of Keyscore Consulting was instrumental in putting this deal together.  Byrd, a veteran auction industry advocate, has spent decades negotiating acquisitions and building auctions.  Warren commented, “I am pleased to assist DAAG in their development effort and to play a part in their expansion northward into a major market in the Midwest.  Byrd added, “This is Keyscore’s third acquisition with the Dealers Auto Auction Group in the past two years.”

Dealers Auto Auction Group started in 2001 with its first auction in Horn Lake, MS.  In addition to DAA of Cincinnati, DAAG’s now eleven (11) auction locations include: DAA Atlanta, DAA of Jackson, DAA of Memphis, DAA of Murfreesboro, DAA of Chattanooga, DAA of Huntsville, DAA of Mobile, DAA of Columbia SC, DAA Little Rock and DAA East Tennessee.  For more information, please visit www.dealersauto.com.

About Dealers Auto Auction Group, LLC (www.dealersauto.com)

Dealers Auto Auction Group, LLC, a National Automobile Auction Association (NAAA) member auction, based in Franklin, Tennessee, is a leading independent wholesale auto auction group providing comprehensive services to connect buyers and sellers of used vehicles in-lane an