The auto transport industry never stops evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is the key to success. Super Dispatch’s latest webinar, “Driving the Future of Auto Transport,” unpacked insights from the Super Moves: State of Auto Transport Report and gathered experts across the industry to share real-world strategies and advice. Moderated by Matt Bradley, CEO of Super Dispatch, the panel featured Doug Belden from Tarpon Transportation and Scott Chesarek from J&S Transportation, along with his Head Dispatcher Vonda Dromgoole.
This deep-dive discussion covered everything from pricing trends and route optimization to fraud prevention and predictions for the future of the industry. Here’s a comprehensive rundown of key topics and insights:
1. Pricing Trends in Auto Transport
The conversation started with a breakdown of how pricing trends are reshaping operations in auto transport. A standout finding from the Super Moves Report was that multi-VIN shipments can reduce costs significantly, with six-or-more vehicle loads costing 26% less per mile than single-vehicle moves.
Key Insights Shared:
- Doug Belden: Doug highlighted the appeal of multi-vehicle shipments for carriers, brokers, and customers. For brokers, bundling multiple cars allows faster booking and better savings for clients. For carriers, it reduces the number of stops and unforeseen challenges, improving delivery times and efficiency.
- Scott Chesarek: From a carrier perspective, Scott confirmed that load consolidation is a critical strategy to optimize operational efficiency. He explained that dealers increasingly buy cars individually online, requiring dispatchers to batch shipments strategically while keeping vehicles moving profitably.
Audience Thoughts:
The audience asked questions around how to manage strategic pricing and stay on top of trends.
At Super Dispatch, we understand how challenging it can be to manage strategic pricing and stay ahead of shifting market trends. That’s why we provide tools like Pricing Insights and the Super Moves Report to equip you with the data you need to make informed decisions.
By leveraging these resources, you can analyze historical and real-time pricing trends, identify cost-saving opportunities like multi-VIN shipments, and optimize your operations for sustained profitability. Stay competitive and confident in your decision-making with data-driven insights guiding your pricing strategy.
2. High-Volume Routes and Route Optimization
The discussion then shifted to high-volume routes, which dominate the auto transport landscape, especially between major metro areas. Routes like New York-to-Miami and Dallas-to-Los Angeles represent demand hotspots, generating millions in revenue.
Key Insights Shared:
- Metro-to-metro routes create significant opportunities for brokers and carriers to streamline logistics.
- Route optimization is crucial for reducing downtime, minimizing expenses, and meeting customer expectations.
- Doug Belden: Doug emphasized the efficiency gains on high-traffic routes, particularly within Florida, where same-day bookings and deliveries are common. He noted that brokers focusing on these lanes are more likely to deliver greater customer satisfaction while managing costs effectively.
- Scott Chesarek: Scott provided insights into fleet routing. He described how dispatchers design routes that maximize load utilization and minimize fuel consumption, such as combining stops in cities like Seattle, Boise, and Salt Lake.
Audience Thoughts:
The audience wanted to know how to decide which routes to target.
Scott explained that route targeting often depends on demand and carrier availability. “We monitor trends and build relationships in high-volume areas to ensure our trucks stay full and profitable.”
3. Operational Challenges and Resilience
From rising costs to seasonal disruptions, the panelists discussed the challenges that carriers and brokers face daily. Natural disasters, like hurricanes and snowstorms, were a top concern, especially for southeastern markets like Florida.
Key Insights Shared:
- Seasonal demand fluctuates dramatically, with snowbird migration creating spikes in Florida shipments.
- Weather conditions, like extreme snowfall, increase operational complexity and raise rates for routes in colder regions.
- Damage prevention, such as protecting vehicles from hail or rock chips, remains critical to maintaining customer trust.
- Doug Belden: Doug shared how Tampa-based brokers adapt during hurricane season by pausing deliveries and reorganizing logistics post-storm.
- Scott Cheserak: Scott described challenges in northern states, where icy roads and hailstorms require carriers to take extra precautions to avoid damages. Tools like Super Dispatch’s inspection photos on the Driver App are invaluable in these scenarios.
4. Fraud Prevention and Vetting Carriers
One of the audience’s biggest concerns was fraud prevention, particularly tactics like double brokering. Both panelists agreed this is one of the industry’s most pressing issues.
Key Insights Shared:
- Doug and Scott both emphasized that brokers must implement rigorous vetting processes, including verifying insurance coverage, checking carrier history, and avoiding operators who cut rates unrealistically.
- Matt Bradley assured attendees that Super Dispatch prioritizes platform security through processes like real-time carrier monitoring, advanced vetting, and enhanced transparency.
Audience Thoughts:
The audience asked questions around the state of fraud & how to fight it.
Fraud prevention is a critical concern in the auto transport industry, and at Super Dispatch, we prioritize keeping our platform secure for all users. It starts with ensuring your technology provider takes necessary security precautions. At Super Dispatch, we maintain SOC2 compliance, actively vet and monitor carriers and shippers, and have a dedicated Fraud Investigation Team that works to detect and resolve suspicious activity.
However, security doesn’t stop at the platform level. Everyone in the auto transport industry should also take steps to safeguard their business. This includes learning key cybersecurity best practices, such as using strong passwords and being alert to phishing attempts.
By combining robust platform security with individual best practices, we can collectively create a safer, more reliable auto transport network.
5. Technology’s Role in the Future of Auto Transport
The webinar concluded by exploring the future of auto transport, with a focus on innovation featuring AI and data-driven tools.
Key Insights Shared:
- AI in Pricing: Tools will continue to streamline pricing and provide actionable insights for carriers and brokers.
- Efficiency Improvements: Technologies like autonomous vehicles may shift the landscape, though this is seen as a long-term development, given challenges around staging and loading.
- Scott Chesark: Scott sees AI as a valuable tool in supporting rate analysis but remains cautious about its broader application.
- Doug Belden: Doug highlighted the potential for AI to enhance fraud detection and streamline communication but warned against relying on unverified algorithms.
Audience Thoughts:
The audience asked to learn more about the perspective on the future of AI in auto transport.
The future of AI in auto transport is full of potential for carriers, shippers, and brokers alike. Technology like digitization, artificial intelligence, and automation is already transforming the industry, making processes more efficient and helping businesses handle challenges faster and smarter. AI can simplify high-volume management tasks, pinpoint operational opportunities, and reduce repetitive workflows – giving your team more time to focus on strategic workflows instead of repetitive ones.
At Super Dispatch, our commitment to AI is rooted in empowerment. We’re focused on automating the tedious parts of auto transport while freeing up time for people to do what they do best: build trust, foster partnerships, and deliver real results.
AI is a tool to streamline workflows and simplify challenges, but the future of auto transport will always belong to the people who keep it moving forward. Together, with the right blend of technology and human connection, we can create an industry that is faster, smarter, and stronger for everyone.
Final Takeaways
We hope the Driving the Future of Auto Transport webinar brought our community together to explore insights, actionable strategies, and expert opinions to improve operations and workflows across the auto transport landscape.
If you missed the live session, no worries! The full recording is available online to rewatch here at any time.
