Auto transport should be a seamless and worry-free task for pre-owned dealer operations. By approaching their auto transport company as a business partner, dealers have an opportunity to maximize sales and profits by capitalizing on shipping options and logistics planning.

Pre-owned dealers may not be aware that affordable, custom auto transport solutions are available even when shipping one or two vehicles. Important considerations when designing a custom transportation plan include cost, transit time, pickup/delivery location, expedited service, and enclosed transport, to name a few.

Peter Decher, director of operations and customer service for ShipCarsNow, explains that developing an auto transport partnership to capitalize on custom solutions and logistics planning can be easy for dealers if they follow these three simple tips.

1. Choose an auto transport company that offers multimodal rail and truck options so you are not restricted by shipping choices or wholesale vehicle sources. Team up with a national auto transport company so you can extend your buying range by using both rail and truck for longer distance shipments.
   
   
2. Know your priorities, such as cost versus delivery time. Discuss your options for expedited and low cost shipping. Shipment volumes may also affect the per vehicle cost, so having this conversation will ensure your transporter designs the right custom solution to meet your timing and budget restrictions.
   
   
3. Communicate your buying patterns to your auto transport company. The more your shipping company knows, the better they can help you control costs and ensure auto transport is worry-free. Experienced auto transporters can help you determine when and where you can get the best value for your shipping dollar, so your time is better spent getting the best wholesale inventory.

By approaching your auto transport company as a business partner and discussing priorities and annual buying plans, you can develop a custom shipping solution that fits your business. Decher reminds dealers that some initial research to find the right auto transport partner is important. Not all auto transport companies are focused on customer service, or offer multimodal options and custom solutions.

Learn more about multimodal auto transport or register now to get preferred customer pricing. For additional information about custom auto transport solutions and logistics planning, email us or call toll free at 866.207.3360.