Central Dispatch
Central Dispatch is America's largest self-managed auto transportation marketplace, connecting vehicle shippers (dealers, brokers, auctions) with carriers via subscription-based web and mobile tools, AI pricing, tracking, and identity verification, owned by Cox Automotive.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1999
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What Central Dispatch does
Central Dispatch (legally Dealertrack CentralDispatch, LLC) operates America's largest self-managed auto transportation marketplace, connecting vehicle shippers — primarily automotive dealerships, brokers, auctions, and import/export operators — with a nationwide network of carriers for vehicle transport dispatch, pricing, and shipment management. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Atlanta, GA, the platform originated as a digital load board for shippers and carriers and has evolved into a full-stack logistics marketplace spanning a web application, iOS and Android mobile apps (Central Dispatch Carrier Hub), and a suite of enterprise APIs (Listings, Dispatch Document, Fulfilment, Event, and Market Intelligence APIs). Core platform features include Price Check and Price Check Plus (AI-driven pricing intelligence), Real-Time GPS Tracking, industry-first biometric identity verification across 60,000+ users, FMCSA carrier verification, transactional ratings with dynamic payment-aligned rating windows, role-based user management, and electronic document storage.
The business operates on a tiered subscription model: Core at $139.95/month, Premium at $214.95/month adding Price Check Plus and advanced APIs, and custom-priced Enterprise plans for high-volume shippers, with API and intelligence add-ons layered on top. Go-to-market is product-led growth via self-serve registration, augmented by Cox Automotive's enterprise sales channels and ecosystem cross-sell across Manheim, Autotrader, and vAuto. Since 2015, Central Dispatch has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Automotive (itself part of Cox Enterprises), and the platform processes 10M+ vehicle postings annually with 20,000+ carriers in the active network.
Central Dispatch firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Central Dispatch
- Legal name
- Dealertrack CentralDispatch, LLC
- Website
- https://centraldispatch.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1999
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Central Dispatch is America's largest self-managed auto transportation marketplace, connecting vehicle shippers (dealers, brokers, auctions) with carriers via subscription-based web and mobile tools, AI pricing, tracking, and identity verification, owned by Cox Automotive.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Central Dispatch industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Logistics Marketplace
- NAICS
- Other Support Activities for Transportation (4889), Couriers and Express Delivery Services (492110)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Routing, Optimization & Dispatch Engines (BPAMANAI)
Keywords
Where Central Dispatch is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Central Dispatch business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Subscription Plans: Monthly and annual subscription plans (Core at $139.95/month, Premium at $214.95/month) providing access to the marketplace, pricing tools, dispatch management, and API integrations. Tiered based on feature access and support levels.
- Enterprise Sales: Custom enterprise pricing for large volume shippers requiring expanded volume, flexible options, and advanced market intelligence. Includes dedicated performance management support and premium API access.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Core Plan - $139.95/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Premium Plan - $214.95/month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Enterprise - Custom Pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Central Dispatch product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Central Dispatch operates America's largest self-managed auto transportation marketplace, connecting vehicle shippers (dealers, brokers, auctions, manufacturers, rental agencies, import/export companies) with 20,000+ carriers to dispatch, track, and rate vehicle transport jobs. The platform provides digital load posting, AI-powered pricing (Price Check Plus), real-time GPS tracking, biometric identity verification, transactional ratings, FMCSA carrier verification, and APIs, delivered via a web platform and iOS/Android mobile applications under tiered Core ($139.95/mo), Premium ($214.95/mo), and Enterprise subscriptions.
Product overview
Central Dispatch is an automotive logistics marketplace owned by Cox Automotive, operating as a self-managed platform connecting vehicle shippers with carriers. The product portfolio centers on the core Central Dispatch Marketplace (web platform and APIs), complemented by the Central Dispatch Carrier Hub mobile app (iOS/Android). Key platform features include Price Check and Price Check Plus (AI-powered pricing intelligence), Real-Time Tracking, Biometric Identity Verification, FMCSA Verification Checklist, Transactional Ratings, User Management, Create Load, Advanced Search, Multipoint Route Search, Notifications, and Electronic Document Storage. The platform offers tiered pricing: Core ($139.95/month) for essential marketplace access, Premium ($214.95/month) adding AI pricing and expanded APIs, and Enterprise (custom pricing) for high-volume logistics needs. Additional capabilities include API Integrations and Market Intelligence API add-ons.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Central Dispatch Marketplace America's largest self-managed auto transportation marketplace, sold as a subscription (Core, Premium, Enterprise) that lets vehicle shippers post loads, search listings, match with carriers, manage digital dispatches, track shipments, verify partners via FMCSA, and rate transactions. Designed for dealers, brokers, carriers, auctions, manufacturers, rental agencies, salvage companies, and import/export businesses.
- Central Dispatch Carrier Hub (Mobile App) Native iOS and Android mobile application for carriers to access the Central Dispatch marketplace on mobile devices. Enables load discovery, inspection completion (including eBOL), dispatch management, accept/decline workflows, real-time tracking, and direct shipper contact — distributed as a free standalone app via Apple App Store and Google Play.
- Price Check Plus (AI Pricing Intelligence) Standalone AI-powered pricing intelligence add-on that analyzes millions of historical marketplace transactions to generate predictive price ranges and time-to-dispatch forecasts. Sold as part of the Premium plan or as a standalone add-on to Core subscribers, targeting both shippers setting transport prices and carriers pricing their services.
- Central Dispatch API Suite Suite of REST APIs (Listings API, Dispatch Document API, Fulfilment API, Event API, Market Intelligence API) enabling third-party technology partners and enterprise customers to programmatically create listings, manage dispatches, retrieve and update documents, receive real-time event notifications, and access AI-powered market intelligence pricing data. Sold as add-ons or bundled into Premium and Enterprise plans.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20,000+ carriers actively participating in the marketplace
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Central Dispatch
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Central Dispatch technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Central Dispatch partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Central Dispatch competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- uShip: Online marketplace connecting vehicle and freight shippers with carriers. Directly comparable business model (B2B marketplace with ratings, dispatch tools, and subscription pricing) competing for the same auto transport load volume as Central Dispatch.
- Ship.Cars: Vehicle transport marketplace and load board serving dealerships, auctions, and carriers. Closely overlaps Central Dispatch's dealer and broker segments with a similar online marketplace and dispatch workflow.
- Super Dispatch: Auto transport management software and marketplace focused on car dealers and carriers. Directly comparable target customer (auto dealers) and overlapping dispatch/listing functionality.
- EasyCarShip: Online vehicle shipping marketplace connecting customers with auto transport carriers. Competes with Central Dispatch in the auto load-board category with a similar shipper/carrier matching model.
- CarsArrive Network: Vehicle transportation network and load board serving dealerships, auctions, and carriers. Direct competitor in the auto transport load-board space with comparable dispatch and listing tools.
Broad incumbents
- Montway Auto Transport: One of the largest US vehicle transport brokers, moving cars on behalf of dealers, auctions, and individuals. Comparable end-customer base and shipment volume, though it operates as a managed broker rather than a self-serve marketplace.
- Sherpa Auto Transport: National vehicle transport broker serving dealerships and consumers. Comparable auto transport service but operates as a managed brokerage rather than an open shipper/carrier marketplace.
- RoadRunner Auto Transport: Established auto transport broker handling dealer, auction, and consumer vehicle shipments. Adjacent model to Central Dispatch's marketplace but operates a managed carrier network.
Emerging players
- DAT Solutions: Load board and freight marketplace for trucks across multiple freight categories. Partial overlap with Central Dispatch's load-board business, particularly for car haulers that use both truck and vehicle transport boards.
Others
- Manheim (Cox Automotive): Sister business within Cox Automotive operating the largest US wholesale vehicle auctions. Indirectly comparable as a transaction venue for vehicles with overlapping dealer customers; provides embedded cross-sell for Central Dispatch rather than direct competition.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Central Dispatch social profiles
Digital presenceCentral Dispatch financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Central Dispatch leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Central Dispatch funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Central Dispatch M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Central Dispatch
What does Central Dispatch do?
Central Dispatch operates America's largest self-managed auto transportation marketplace, connecting vehicle shippers (dealers, brokers, auctions, manufacturers, rental agencies, import/export companies) with 20,000+ carriers to dispatch, track, and rate vehicle transport jobs. The platform provides digital load posting, AI-powered pricing (Price Check Plus), real-time GPS tracking, biometric identity verification, transactional ratings, FMCSA carrier verification, and APIs, delivered via a web platform and iOS/Android mobile applications under tiered Core ($139.95/mo), Premium ($214.95/mo), and Enterprise subscriptions.
Is Central Dispatch a public or private company?
Central Dispatch is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Central Dispatch founded?
Central Dispatch was founded in 1999. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Central Dispatch based?
Central Dispatch is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Central Dispatch make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Subscription Plans are the primary driver. The others are enterprise Sales.
Who are Central Dispatch's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are uShip, Ship.Cars, Super Dispatch, EasyCarShip and CarsArrive Network. Broad incumbents are Montway Auto Transport, Sherpa Auto Transport and RoadRunner Auto Transport. DAT Solutions is listed as an emerging player. Manheim (Cox Automotive) is listed as an others.
Does Central Dispatch have an API?
Yes. Central Dispatch offers multiple APIs including Listings API, Dispatch Document API, FulfilLment API, and Event API. These enable third-party technology partners and users to create listings, manage dispatches, retrieve and update documents, receive real-time event notifications, browse and subscribe to events for dispatching, and search and retrieve past events. APIs are available as part of Premium and Enterprise plans or as add-ons. Developer documentation is at www.centraldispatch.com/features/api.
What industry is Central Dispatch in?
Central Dispatch's product category is Automotive Logistics Marketplace. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAMANAI, Routing, Optimization & Dispatch Engines. Its NAICS code is 4889 and its SIC code is 4731.