How Much Does Transporting Cars for Dealerships Cost?

May 19th, 2023

5 minutes

Summary

When car buyers are looking for a car, price is an important factor. Quite often, the best deal is one in another state. What can a dealership do to cater to this growing section of the car-buying public? Offering to transport the car to the customer’s home is a very good feature for any car dealership and with more people shopping for cars online it’s become key.

For convenience, an increasing number of car dealers and car buyers are looking to auto transport companies to provide the best solution. But how much does such a service cost? In this post, you’ll discover the cost of transporting cars for dealerships.

What is dealer auto transport?

New cars from the manufacturer tend to come via the manufacturer’s shipping service. However, if a dealer needs to ship a car to another dealer or the customer’s home, they will use dealer auto transport services.

Moving cars for dealerships is one of SGT Auto Transport’s specialty services, but how much does it cost?

How much does a dealer have to pay to ship a car?

Several factors can affect the cost of auto transport. When it comes to hauling cars for dealerships, the following factors have to be taken into account.

The size of the vehicle or vehicles

The size of the vehicles being shipped is a big factor that affects the cost of shipping. Larger vehicles cost more to transport because they take up more space on the trailer. They also weigh more. The more vehicles a carrier can fit on the trailer, the lower the cost per vehicle.

You may be entitled to a discount if you’re shipping multiple cars, so don’t forget to ask.

The shipping distance

This is possibly the least surprising factor and one most people will expect. The further your vehicles need to travel, the higher the cost for you. The cost per mile tends to fluctuate, depending on the auto transport company you choose. It will pay to do your research and compare how much different companies charge depending on the distance.

Common practice is for carriers to charge less money for long-distance shipping over open highways. For example, if you wanted to ship a car between Boston and Miami, they would be forced to travel through several metropolitan areas where heavy traffic and similar delays can cause problems.

For comparison, shipping a car between Los Angeles and Boston would mean traveling at high speeds and without the worry of city traffic. The more ground a carrier can cover in one day, the better it is for you because the per-mile rate is often lower.

Time of the year

You can expect to pay more during peak times because auto transport companies are busier and space on the shipping trucks is at a premium.

However, booking car shipping services during the winter can also increase the cost because of the inclement weather. Carriers may be faced with snowstorms and other weather delays and this will be reflected in the cost.

If you’re still in the early stages of planning car transport for your dealership, be sure to ask about peak rates and whether discounts might be available during off-peak times.

The type of auto transport service

There are two types of auto transport services available: open and enclosed. Open auto transport is cheaper because carriers can transport more vehicles simultaneously.

However, if you’re shipping high-end or luxury cars and you want them totally protected during transport, you might want to consider enclosed car shipping. The cost is higher because the trucks carry fewer vehicles.

Delivery time frame

Much like many other kinds of shipping services, you can speed up the process, but it tends to cost more. On the other hand, if you can be flexible with your timings, you’ll pay less.

Whether the car is running or not

It is possible to ship inoperable vehicles but it will cost more because these vehicles are more challenging when it comes to getting them on and off the trailer.

The benefits of hiring a car shipping company for moving cars between dealerships

You’re guaranteed a smooth delivery process because the carriers are experienced in handling all types of vehicles and have the latest shipping technology and equipment at their disposal.
Auto transport services are cost-effective.
Hiring an auto transport company reduces the risks involved in delivering cars.
A variety of services are typically available and these can be tailored to meet your needs.
All licensed auto transport companies offer insurance coverage.
You’re more likely to experience a successful delivery every time you use a car shipping service.

It would be impossible to give you an exact price when it comes to using a car transporter for dealerships, because of the many factors mentioned above. However, if you’re a dealer and would like to be able to offer such a service, our shipping advisors would love to hear from you. Call (864) 546-5038 or use our Live Chat option.

We also have an instant quote calculator you can use right here on this website.

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FAQs

What is it called when you deliver cars from a dealership?

Traditionally, it would be a dealer trade driver that delivered cars from a dealership. However, more dealerships are now using car transport services because they’re more convenient.

What is the best auto transport company to use?

The best auto transport company to use is one that’s licensed and bonded. They should also offer a range of services, and payment options, have many years of experience, and a good reputation.

What is it called when you transport cars?

An auto transport service transports cars. This type of service provider is also called a car shipping company, car transportation company, or car hauling provider.

How are cars usually transported?

A popular way for cars to be transported over long distances is using open car transport. Cars are loaded onto an open trailer and hauled on the highway.

How much does it cost to transport cars for dealerships?

The cost to transport cars for dealerships depends on several factors, including: