| Auto manufacturers have known about it for over 100 | | | | States. Over 70 percent were moved from |
| years. Henry Ford, in fact, purchased his own railroad | | | | manufacturing or assembly plants to dealerships |
| to quickly and economically rush early Model T's to | | | | across the country by rail transport. That's almost 53 |
| eager buyers all across the country. Today, as more | | | | million factory-new vehicles shipped and more than |
| used car dealers keep one eye on online auto auctions | | | | 99% arrive damage-free. So, it only makes sense for |
| as a source for late-model inventory they need and | | | | used car dealers to also consider rail transport. |
| the other eye on their bottom line, they're also | | | | In most cases, the same fully-enclosed railcars that |
| discovering that rail transport can be a surprisingly | | | | protect new vehicles from the elements and road |
| economical, dependable and hassle-free solution. | | | | debris are also used to ship used vehicles by rail. |
| Rail Transport is Economical | | | | Specially-designed railcars, called auto racks have two |
| In an industry expected to suffer a steady decline of | | | | or three decks and can carry up to 20 vehicles, |
| inventory from trade-ins, consumer lease returns, and | | | | although the average is around 12 units. Vehicles |
| fleet/rental cars possibly through 2011, used car dealers | | | | purchased at auction are first transported to the |
| who don't shop online auctions for quality, low-mileage | | | | nearest rail terminal by truck and then carefully loaded |
| inventory are missing a huge opportunity, as well as | | | | into the rail car by specially trained terminal loaders. |
| important added profit potential. | | | | They're also secured inside the railcar with straps and |
| Online auctions can significantly expand a dealer's | | | | tire chocks to help prevent damage during transit. |
| trading area and car haulers that offer long-distance | | | | Once the train arrives at a rail terminal near the final |
| rail service as well as short-distance truck transport | | | | destination, vehicles are carefully unloaded, then placed |
| can affordably deliver the cars and trucks they buy | | | | on a transporter truck and delivered to their final |
| online, wherever they are located. | | | | destination. |
| Because railroads now move a ton of freight nearly | | | | Rail Transport is Hassle-Free |
| 410 miles for each gallon of diesel fuel used, shipping a | | | | Modern car haulers make rail transport of cars and |
| car or truck by train for moves over 500 miles can | | | | trucks purchased at auction hassle-free. They |
| often lower auto transport costs by up to 30 percent. | | | | coordinate the entire move from local pick-up to final |
| Even at a time, according to the NADA News, when | | | | delivery. A knowledgeable and experienced operations |
| the year-to-year average used vehicle retail selling | | | | team monitors every step of the process to ensure |
| price is up almost 10 percent and average gross profit | | | | reliable, quality delivery. Online shipment status and |
| per used vehicle is up over 40 percent, every dollar | | | | ETA are also available 24/7 at the car hauler's web |
| saved in shipping still adds profit on the bottom line. | | | | site. So, used car dealers can spend more time |
| A new generation of car haulers also makes it easy | | | | focusing on customer needs rather than waiting and |
| for used car dealers to place orders online, get instant | | | | worrying if the fresh inventory they need to fill their lots |
| price quotes and estimated transit time for | | | | will arrive on time. |
| door-to-door pickup and delivery anywhere in the | | | | If you are a used car dealer shopping auto auctions |
| country. Truck transport is usually recommended within | | | | outside your usual trading area and concerned about |
| a 250-mile radius of the pickup point. Rail or a | | | | your bottom line, consider using a car hauler that offers |
| combination of truck and rail transport is recommended | | | | affordable rail service as well as truck options. When |
| to more affordably ship longer distances. | | | | you work with a car hauler with a solid reputation, rail |
| Rail Transport is Dependable | | | | transport can be a surprisingly economical, dependable |
| Over the last five years, almost 75 million import and | | | | and hassle-free solution. |
| domestic cars and trucks were sold in the United | | | | |