Why Shipping Your Car is Not the Same as Shipping a Package

Why Shipping Your Car is Not the Same as Shipping a Package


When it comes to shipping, most of us are familiar with the process of sending a small parcel or ordering items online. It’s quick, relatively simple, and has become a part of our daily lives. However, when the item to be shipped is as large and valuable as an automobile, the process is far from what we’re accustomed to. 

Unlike the straightforward delivery of an item of clothing or miscellaneous home goods, shipping a vehicle presents a unique set of challenges. At Autosled, we understand these differences and strive to bridge the gap, in order to make vehicle pickup and deliveries as seamless as possible.

The Difference in Scale

It may be obvious, but the most significant contrast lies in the size difference involved. A standard box truck can carry upwards of a hundred packages, not to mention the thousands that can fit into a semi-truck. Conversely when transporting vehicles, each individual piece of cargo is massive in both size and weight. This requires specialized training and trailers specifically for automotive vehicles- regardless of whether it’s cars, trucks, or motorcycles that are being hauled. The most common trailers on the road can only hold up to three cars, with larger semi-truck haulers holding up to nine. This highlights a stark contrast in the complexity of transport logistics in the United States.

Varied Journeys

Consider the typical journey of an item or package ordered online. It’s picked up by a mail truck, travels to a local hub, then on to another, and another, until it’s placed on a truck to drive the last few miles needed to reach its destination. This multi-step process involves numerous trucks and transfer points, offering flexibility to reroute or adjust schedules, if needed, to minimize delays.

Vehicle transport on the other hand, operates on a more linear path. The truck that picks up your vehicle is generally the same one that will deliver it. This direct route means that any delays – which can stem from delays at pickup or drop-off locations, mechanical problems, unforeseen weather, and even traffic conditions – have a ripple effect, impacting the entire delivery schedule. Such challenges underscore the difficulty in providing exact ETAs, particularly for long-distance hauls.

Navigating the Challenges Well

This is where Autosled comes into play. Understanding the intricacies and potential complications of vehicle shipping, Autosled’s services offer as much ease, speed, and transparency as possible. While the weather can’t be changed, and flat tires happen from time to time, the team is here to support vehicle shipments every step of the way.

Real-Time Updates: With Autosled, shippers are not left in the dark. The platform’s shipment viewer allows customers to monitor the status and ETA of vehicle deliveries in real-time. This provides both automotive dealers and individuals shipping vehicles with a constant peace of mind throughout the transport process.

Dedicated Support: Beyond the digital tools, Autosled’s dedicated support team ensures that every shipper always has a real person to speak to, and that concerns are addressed. By offering this personal phone support along with digital solutions, customers receive the updates they need when they need them.

Fair Pricing: Autosled believes in transparency not just in shipping, but also in pricing. Autosled guarantees fair-market pricing without any hidden fees, making sure that every shipper gets the best service at an honest price.

Experience the difference with Autosled – where shipping your car is as easy as it should be.  Get a quote today at www.autosled.com/individuals


Check out our latest posts:

How OEMs are Moving Cars | Autosled on DealerRefresh

How OEMs are Moving Cars | Autosled on DealerRefresh

Listen in on this episode of DealerRefresh to learn about how OEMs get their cars to dealerships. Autosled’s SVP of Government and OEM Relations, Bart Schuster, gives some insight.

Or check out our latest posts:

Autosled Promotes Jim Reilly to Director Field Sales

Autosled Promotes Jim Reilly to Director Field Sales

ROCKVILLE, MD – January 16, 2024– Autosled, a leading provider of digital technology solutions for vehicle transport logistics, announced today the promotion of Jim Reilly to Director of Field Sales. For the last two years, he has served as Autosled’s Business Development Manager. In this new role, Jim will manage and further develop the company’s regional field sales team throughout Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida. 

“It is our pleasure to promote Jim into this newly-created dynamic role alongside the expansion of the Autosled’s Field Organization,” noted David Sperau, co-founder and chief revenue officer of Autosled.

“His many contributions as a leader amongst his peers, combined with his business and revenue generation have earned him this opportunity.”

Prior to joining Autosled, Jim spent twenty-five years working across various aspects of retail automotive, ranging from an individual contributor to managing a team of thirty employees. Logistics has been an integral part of his career throughout the entirety of that time, so joining Autosled in 2021 was a natural fit.    

“I am honored to take on this new role and am equally as excited to grow the field sales team on a National level,” said Jim Reilly, director of field sales for Autosled. “Logistics certainly has its challenges, but I am confident that with the people and culture at Autosled, we will see continued success in 2024 and beyond.” 

About Autosled

Autosled provides seamless digital vehicle shipment options for dealers, transporters, auctioneers, brokers, and individuals. As a tech-first company, Autosled’s web and phone platforms create a marketplace between shippers and transporters that are faster, cheaper, and more reliable. Services include custom price quotes, secure online payments, electronic accounting and invoicing, online vehicle shipment scheduling, verified transporter insurance and a vetted network. Vehicles delivered through Autosled are trackable, with real-time GPS and communication with transporters throughout the process. For more information, visit: www.autosled.com.

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For Media Inquiries, contact:

Peyton Hoffman

CP Consulting Group

(757) 748-4533 (cell)

peyton.hoffman@autosled.com

Autosled Launches Dealer Exchange Network For Retail Auto Dealers

Autosled Launches Dealer Exchange Network For Retail Auto Dealers

Technology Streamlines Increasing Dealer-to-Dealer Vehicle Exchanges

ROCKVILLE, MD – December 18, 2023– Autosled, a leading provider of digital technology solutions for automotive vehicle transport logistics, announced today the launch of its new Dealer Exchange Network. This technology allows dealers to order both outbound and inbound vehicle exchanges simultaneously, ideally enabling both exchanges to be handled by the same transporter. This creates a seamless round-trip experience in the instance where one vehicle must be transported before the other, as well as a round-trip transport experience with fewer restrictions. As always, dealers can view each shipment’s status directly in the Autosled platform. 

“This makes it even easier for our customers to get their vehicles where they need them to be, and faster,” noted David Darden, chief information officer for Autosled. “This also translates into less time and miles on the road for the drivers in our transporter network.”

An industry-wide misappropriation of vehicle inventory post-COVID has caused a dramatic increase in dealer exchanges. As Autosled continues to expand its nationwide network of over 11,000 transporters, simplifying the vehicle transport process has become a primary focus for the company. Enabling haulers to view whether or not a vehicle is part of a round-trip exchange order provides an added layer of transparency and accountability for all involved. With Autosled’s average days to deliver steady at around three days for vehicles shipped 500 miles, its new Dealer Exchange Network provides increased efficiency in that process.

“We’re currently seeing an uptick in the amount of vehicles that dealers are transferring internally between their own respective groups and franchises, in large part due to OEM misallocation from the factory,” said David Sperau, co-founder and chief revenue officer for Autosled. “We’re also witnessing the trend of specific equipment preferences in retail increase recently. Dealers are more willing to swap units in order to maximize their ROI. We’ve built out processes specifically with this in mind.  Our Dealer Exchange tool is focused on making it as easy, quick and cost-effective as possible for dealers to trade these units amongst themselves.” 

To learn more about Autosled’s Dealer Exchange Network, stop by Booth #4213 in the West Hall at NADA 2024 or visit https://autosled.com/nada-2024/.

About Autosled

Autosled provides seamless digital vehicle shipment options for dealers, transporters, auctioneers, brokers, and individuals. As a tech-first company, Autosled’s web and phone platforms create a marketplace between shippers and transporters that is faster, cheaper, and more reliable. Services include custom price quotes, secure online payments, electronic accounting and invoicing, online vehicle shipment scheduling, verified transporter insurance, and a vetted network. Vehicles delivered through Autosled are trackable, with real-time GPS and communication with transporters throughout the process. For more information, visit www.autosled.com.

###

For Media Inquiries, contact:

Peyton Hoffman

CP Consulting Group

(757) 748-4533 (cell)

peyton.hoffman@autosled.com