When the gavel came down Tuesday night during a charity auction at the 2026 NIADA Convention & Expo, a 2019 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara found a new home—with the NIADA Foundation receiving $26,500 to fuel its mission. The auction, held June 23 in the NIADA Dealer Lounge inside the convention expo hall, marked six consecutive years of Manheim donating a vehicle to the cause. All told, these auctions have raised nearly $165,000 for the NIADA Foundation.
The winning bidder, District Auto Group of Temple Hills, Md., will receive complimentary vehicle transport, courtesy of Ready Logistics. A Cox Automotive business, Ready Logistics provides full-service transportation solutions that make it easy for dealers to move vehicles quickly and conveniently nationwide.
“Every year, this auction turns a single vehicle into something much bigger — emergency relief for a dealer family rebuilding after a disaster, or a scholarship that opens the door to a career in this industry. That’s the work the NIADA Foundation exists to do, and the steady support of partners like Manheim and Cox Automotive is a big reason we’re able to do it. Reaching six years of this tradition together tells you everything about how they show up for the independent dealer community, and we’re grateful to have them alongside us,” said Jeff Martin, NIADA CEO.
The auction vehicle was donated by Manheim, a Cox Automotive brand, and coordinated through Manheim Denver. The 2019 Wrangler Unlimited Sahara—roomy, capable, and perpetually in demand on dealer front lines—drew strong competitive bidding throughout the event.
“There’s something genuinely special about being part of this benefit auction every year,” said Michelle McQueen, general manager of Manheim Denver. “It’s not about writing a check—it’s about our team being present, participating, and putting our expertise to work for an organization that strengthens the backbone of this industry. The NIADA Foundation does meaningful work, and we’re proud to help keep that momentum going.”
The NIADA Foundation is the charitable arm of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. It channels resources where they’re needed most—providing emergency financial relief to dealers and families hit by natural disasters, while also investing in the next generation of industry professionals. To date, the Foundation has awarded nearly $500,000 in college scholarships to students pursuing automotive careers and consistently coordinates matching funds for local charitable projects nationwide.
