ShipCarsNow, Ready Auto Transport form multimodal alliance

Union Pacific Railroad subsidiary ShipCarsNow and Cox Automotive subsidiary Ready Auto Transport have formed an alliance to provide multimodal transportation services to vehicle shippers.

The combination truck-and-rail service will leverage the companies' expertise to increase carrier capacity and create transportation efficiencies for U.S. Mannheim auto auction customers and other wholesale vehicle shippers, according to a UP-issued press release.

"ShipCarsNow, working with Ready Auto Transport, allows wholesale auto shippers to leverage the ShipCarsNow rail network between key U.S. population centers and growth markets," said ShipCarsNow President Marty Coalson."“In addition to more capacity, in certain areas rail transport can help a seller reach more markets than direct truck at a comparable price."

Said Ready Auto Transport President Jerry Tassone: "As wholesale volume continues growing, this collaboration will play a significant role in the remarketing industry’s movement of vehicle inventory."

Ready Auto Transport’s logistics and transportation solutions connect Manheim and independent auctions, dealers and commercial customers to a 6,500-member qualified carrier network nationwide. Manheim is a subsidiary of Cox Automotive.

ShipCarsNow works with most major U.S. railroads to provide nationwide rail access using 65 automotive rail ramps and 16 domestic port locations, 94 percent of which are near Manheim’s U.S. auto auctions.