Services

Auto Transport for Car Dealers

Reliable dealership car shipping with flexible options, real-time tracking, and scalable transport solutions. Keep your inventory moving with The Ove Transport.

Understanding Dealership vehicle Shipping

For vehicle dealerships, inventory isn't just rows of gleaming metal – it's a living, breathing ecosystem. Cars need to move, not just for test drives, but to balance supply and demand, fill showrooms, and keep the sales engine humming. This is where dealership car shipping comes in — a silent ballet of logistics that keeps the automotive world spinning.

Dealerships need to relocate vehicles for a multitude of reasons:

FROM THE FACTORY

New vehicle arrive from ports, distribution hubs, or factories, eager to meet their excited owners. Shipping them to showrooms becomes the first leg of their journey.

JUGGLING INVENTORY

Used and certified pre-owned cars waltz between dealerships, balancing local stock with market demand. Sometimes, they tango with auctions or wholesale partners, seeking new homes.

TRADE-IN

Trade-in vehicles embark on a different journey. They might sashay to central reconditioning facilities, ready for a makeover, or take a one-way trip to auctions or wholesale partners.

MANAGING THE MANEUVERS: IN-HOUSE OR OUTSOURCING?

Most dealership groups are skilled at managing routine inventory shuffling. They handle these internal transfers in-house, ensuring a smooth flow of cars between locations. However, for larger-scale relocations or one-time events, dealerships might call in the cavalry:

SPECIALIZED CAR TRANSPORT COMPANIES

These expert movers have the trucks, trailers, and know-how to handle bulk car movements with precision and efficiency.

RENTAL VEHICLES HAULERS

Need a temporary fleet shuffle? Rental car haulers can step in, providing short-term transport solutions for specific events.

THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS FIRMS

For complex logistics involving multiple locations, modes of transport, or international shipping, these experts can orchestrate the entire car ballet with masterful coordination.

THE FREQUENCY OF DEALERSHIP CAR SHIPPING

WEEKLY LOAD SHUFFLING

Filling CPO gaps and keeping the inventory mix fresh – these routine relocations are the heartbeat of dealership logistics.

ONE-TIME EVENTS

Store openings, closures, or major inventory rebalancing projects require large-scale movements, demanding careful planning and execution.

THE BOTTOM LINE: PRECISION FOR PROFITABILITY

Careful coordination ensures vehicles arrive safely, on time, and ready to be bought. This not only protects profitability but also helps dealers optimize margins and sales velocity. Understanding the logistics of shipping cars empowers dealerships to manage their inventory like a conductor, orchestrating a symphony of sales and customer satisfaction.

Understanding Dealership Car Transport

For multi-location dealership groups, keeping the wheels of profitability turning involves a delicate dance of balancing expenses. Among the biggest variable costs? Transporting those gleaming cars between locations. Budgeting for these relocations is crucial, so let's peel back the hood and unveil the key factors influencing the price tag:

FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE DEALERSHIP CAR SHIPPING COSTS

DISTANCE

Long-haul relocations cost exponentially more than local shuffling, with industry averages ranging from $1–$3 per mile. A 500-mile move could set you back around $800 per car.

FILLING THE TRUCK FOR EFFICIENCY

Full truckloads with 8+ vehicles achieve maximum economy of scale, dropping per-vehicle costs. Sending just a few cars? Be prepared for higher per-car rates.

TIMING

Car transport pricing is fluid — affected by seasonal demand, weather, rush orders, and one-way hauls. Flexibility can yield savings.

INSURANCE

Dealers need bumper-to-bumper coverage. Expect to pay 1–1.5% of the car value in insurance premiums.

FUEL, TOLLS, AND FEES

Ancillary costs — including fuel surcharges, tolls, and routing fees — can add up to 20% on top of base hauling rates.

THE DIFFERENT METHODS OF TRANSPORTING CARS FOR DEALERSHIPS

TRUCKLOAD SHIPPING: THE MULTI-CAR CARAVAN

Open carriers (10 vehicles) and enclosed trailers (6–7) efficiently handle high-volume moves. Ideal for new car deliveries and inter-dealer inventory balancing.

TRUCKLOAD SHIPPING: THE SOLO SPOTLIGHT

For quick, one-off moves or single car events, towaway service is fast and direct. Perfect for time-sensitive or special-case vehicles.

RAIL SHIPPING: THE TRAIN OF EFFICIENCY

Rail excels at long-distance, high-volume factory-to-dealer shipping. It's cost-effective but less flexible than trucks.

Straight-Forward Shipping Times

Planning your dealer car shipment? Buckle up for these estimated travel times:

Route    Estimated Time
East Coast to West Coast    Approximately 7–9 days
South to North    Approximately 4–6 days
Midwest to East Coast    Approximately 3–5 days

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does dealer car transport cost?
Dealership car transport typically ranges from $1–$3 per mile. Costs depend on route, volume, and trailer type.

How do auto manufacturers transport new cars to dealerships?
Via rail or large truckload carriers. Rail handles long-distance, while truckload shipping is ideal for specific dealer routes.

What’s the most cost-effective way to transport trade-ins?
Towaways via flatbed pickups are often cheapest for individual trade-ins — direct, simple, and fast.

How do dealers prepare used cars for vehicle transport?
They recondition vehicles, check fluids, tires, and alarms, and ensure a spare key is ready.

What is the costliest way to ship dealer car inventory?
Enclosed and expedited shipping services — they carry fewer cars and charge for speed and security.

Is there a standard schedule for dealership car transport?
Yes. Most large groups transport cars weekly. Strategic realignments occur quarterly or seasonally.