A new internet-based company is promising to help dealers dramatically slash the cost of vehicle collection and delivery through its online tendering service.

Reading-based Auto Return has signed up 300 transport companies, from nationwide logistics firms like Walon to regional operators, and is now talking to retailers about the new service, expected to go live next month. It acts as a booking agent, with dealers posting details about a vehicle collection or delivery requirement onto a notice board at the www.autoreturn.co.uk website and transport companies bidding for the job.

With dealers increasingly attracting business from outside their traditional territories by advertising cars online, delivery costs due to longer journeys will rise – Auto Return reckons it is the answer.

“The main objective is to achieve cost savings for the dealer,” says Neville Baynes, Auto Return managing director. “There is currently a lot of duplication in car delivery, especially among the larger retail groups, with drivers doing the same trips. We want to persuade companies to operate on a return load basis and cut down on two-way journeys. That’s why we set up this website.”

Auto Return handles all bids from transport companies, which are forwarded to the dealer for approval. Each needs to register for the service (free of charge), while Auto Return takes a £3 cut from the successful transport company.

“We want to get the major dealer groups involved with this service, but it might also appeal to manufacturers for use across their networks,” adds Baynes.

The business has its roots in Baynes’ Dealer Deliveries which provides drivers for Inchcape, Audi and AFN dealers. It has been set up with director/company secretary Laurence Fineman.