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Faster Shipping, Lower Costs, Better Results — Meet Auto Hauler Exchange

Faster Shipping, Lower Costs, Better Results — Meet Auto Hauler Exchange
Written by
Elise Borngesser
Published on
April 22, 2025

Faster Shipping, Lower Costs, Better Results — Meet Auto Hauler Exchange

Auto Hauler Exchange’s VP of Sales, Frank Zombo, sat down for an exclusive episode of the Car Dealership Guy podcast with Sam D’Arc, alongside Tom Bear, Platform Used Car Director at Cable Dahmer Automotive Group, and Stephan Morris, the group’s Used Vehicle Acquisition Manager.

In today’s hyper-competitive used car market, speed and efficiency aren’t just luxuries — they’re necessities. Dealerships across the country are looking for any edge to stay ahead, especially when it comes to sourcing and transporting vehicles. That’s exactly why Cable Dahmer Automotive turned to Auto Hauler Exchange (AHX) — and the results have been nothing short of game-changing.

Navigating a Shifting Used Car Market

The used car market is anything but predictable. According to Tom Bear, Cable Dahmer’s Used Car Director, the group has seen a noticeable uptick in bidding activity, signaling increasing demand and competition. Despite small challenges like the talk of tariffs and tight inventory, the group just had its biggest used car sales month ever.

“Every challenge presents an opportunity,” said Stephan Morris, Used Vehicle Acquisition Manager. And for Cable Dahmer, opportunity often starts with smarter sourcing and faster, more flexible logistics.

Solving the Transport Problem and Cutting Out the Middleman with Auto Hauler Exchange

One of the biggest pain points in used vehicle acquisition? Transport.

Whether it's buying from across the country or managing local logistics, the cost and time required to move vehicles can eat into margin fast.

That’s where Auto Hauler Exchange comes in. Frank Zombo, VP of Sales at AHX, describes the company's mission to simply eliminate the inefficiencies created by brokers. "Our model connects shippers directly with carriers," says Frank. "There's no hidden rip, no guessing what someone else is making off your move. It’s all transparent."

The traditional brokerage model often left dealers in the dark. Vehicles sat for days, even weeks, as brokers haggled for marginal gains. In the meantime, dealers bore the cost in floorplan interest, delayed recon, and missed sales opportunities.

Real-Time Pricing, Real-Time Results

"Everybody knows what it takes to get a car from California to Kansas City," Frank explains. "But when you're haggling over $25 or $50, that vehicle can sit for three, six, even 14 days. With AHX, Stephan prices it at the market rate right now. The carrier sees it, agrees, and picks up the same day."

Stephan, a buyer for Cable Dahmer, agrees: "I had a carrier text me directly asking for an extra $100 to move a vehicle that afternoon. I adjusted the price, and within minutes it was picked up. That kind of communication and responsiveness was unheard of before."

From 14 Days to 4 Days

One of the most telling metrics? The average ship time with AHX is four days. "We had vehicles that used to take 14-16 days to arrive. Same hauler, same route, but through AHX, they're showing up in 4-5 days," says Tom, from Cable Dahmer.

And it’s not just about speed. It’s about scale. “We just broke our monthly record for used car purchases,” Stephan shared. “Our recon team is calling asking if we can slow down the deliveries — we’re getting too many cars too quickly. That’s a good problem to have.”

Saving 25% and Gaining Control

Transparency isn’t just a buzzword at AHX; it’s a cost-saving mechanism. “We’re saving about 25% on shipping compared to the old way,” Stephan says. “That doesn’t even factor in the savings from reduced arbitration, faster recon, and shorter flooring times.”

When asked what executives often overlook, Frank didn’t hesitate: “Most dealers don’t even know how much they spend on transportation. Once you have that number, and you see what 20% savings looks like over a year, it becomes really hard to justify sticking with the old way.”

A Winning Strategy for Every Dealer

Frank summed it up best: "We're not making money by moving your car slower or charging you more. We're here to move it fast, at market rate, and help you win."

For dealers struggling with sourcing and shipping, Tom had simple advice: “Even if you’re not great at anything else, you can be great at moving cars if you sign up with Auto Hauler Exchange."

In today’s market, where every advantage matters, AHX is delivering one of the biggest: faster, cheaper, smarter vehicle logistics.

Stream the full episode here and see how Auto Hauler Exchange is helping dealers move smarter, faster and more profitably in today’s competitive landscape.