Pilot Transport
Pilot Transport is a Brighton, Michigan-based enclosed vehicle logistics provider and division of United Road Services, transporting classic, luxury, exotic, prototype, and OEM vehicles across the US and Canada via 80+ specialized drivers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersBrighton, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Pilot Transport does
Pilot Transport, founded in 1988 and headquartered in Brighton, Michigan, is a specialized enclosed vehicle transport provider that operates as a division of United Road Services, the largest carhaul network in North America. The company transports high-value vehicles including classic, luxury, exotic, prototype, and OEM-premium units, using a fleet of 80+ enclosed-haul drivers and specialty equipment such as hard-sided lift gates that enable damage-free loading regardless of ground clearance. Its service portfolio covers enclosed transport, open transport, prototype and concept vehicle transport, event and media vehicle logistics, OEM dealer-direct fulfillment, marshalling and storage in Brighton and Phoenix, and cross-border specialty enclosed transport to Canada.
The company is built on three proprietary technology layers: a patented tracking system that gives customers order-to-fulfillment visibility, an advanced load optimization engine that rebalances the network in real time, and the Pedigree safety system that issues alerts on speeding, hard brakes, and driver behavior. It has earned EPA SmartWay certification and the highest available safety rating for a transportation organization, and reports a 99.7% damage-free delivery rate on roughly 34 million miles driven annually. The published customer roster spans twelve global OEMs across ICE and EV, including Ford, GM, Stellantis, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Honda, Bentley, Hyundai, Ferrari, Lucid, and Rivian.
Pilot runs a quote-based, transactional revenue model with three primary streams: enclosed transport, open transport, and marshalling/storage services priced per shipment or per storage period. Distribution is direct to OEMs, dealers, remarketers, auctions, event/media buyers, and individual collectors via a website quote form, phone (248.486.3700), and email ([email protected]), supplemented by an organic social presence on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The company is privately held, wholly contained within the United Road Services corporate structure, and does not disclose revenue or capital structure.
Pilot Transport firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Pilot Transport
- Legal name
- United Road Services Inc.
- Website
- https://pilottransport.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Pilot Transport is a Brighton, Michigan-based enclosed vehicle logistics provider and division of United Road Services, transporting classic, luxury, exotic, prototype, and OEM vehicles across the US and Canada via 80+ specialized drivers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Pilot Transport is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brighton
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Pilot Transport business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Enclosed Vehicle Transport Services: Revenue generated from transporting vehicles in enclosed trailers, providing protection against weather, dirt, debris and other elements during transit. Pricing is quote-based depending on distance, vehicle type, and service requirements.
- Open Transport Services: More affordable open transport option for vehicles that don't require enclosed shipping, providing speedier service at competitive pricing.
- Marshalling and Storage Services: Secure vehicle storage services including indoor climate-controlled storage and outdoor paved lots, providing peace of mind for customers needing temporary or long-term vehicle storage.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based transport services |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Pilot Transport product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Pilot Transport provides enclosed and open vehicle transport services for high-value vehicles including classic, luxury, exotic, prototype, and OEM-manufactured cars. The company operates a fleet of 80+ drivers with specialized equipment such as hard-sided lift gates, a patented proprietary tracking system, and provides supplementary marshalling and climate-controlled storage services at facilities in Brighton, MI and Phoenix, AZ.
Product overview
Pilot Transport is a specialized enclosed vehicle transport company and division of United Road Services. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of transport services including Enclosed Transport (premium protection for luxury, classic, and exotic vehicles), Open Transport (affordable fast service), and Marshalling and Storage (secure storage with climate-controlled indoor facilities). Specialized transport offerings include Prototype Vehicle Transport for security-sensitive shipments, Event Vehicle Transport for auto shows and media events, Specialty and Personal Car Transport, OEM Transport Services for major automotive manufacturers, and International Canada Transport. The company operates a fleet of 80+ drivers with a patented proprietary tracking system enabling transparent tracking from order to fulfillment, and utilizes load optimization technology for real-time network adjustments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Enclosed Transport Premium enclosed vehicle transport service that provides maximum protection during transit, shielding vehicles from weather conditions, dirt, debris, and other elements. Designed for classic, luxury, and exotic vehicles requiring damage-free delivery.
- Open Transport
Quantifiable outcome
- 99.7% damage-free delivery rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Pilot Transport
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Pilot Transport technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Pilot Transport partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- United Road ServicescorePilot Transport is a division of United Road Services, part of the United Road family of companies. United Road is the premier vehicle logistics provider in North America, orchestrating delivery of over 4 million vehicles annually. This is a parent-subsidiary corporate relationship where Pilot operates as a specialized enclosed transport division within the larger United Road organization.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Pilot Transport competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Easy Auto Ship: Easy Auto Ship is a vehicle transport broker offering open and enclosed transport nationwide. It is a direct comparable in the consumer-facing vehicle transport market.
- Horseless Carriage Carriers: Horseless Carriage Carriers is an enclosed vehicle transport specialist serving luxury, classic, and exotic car owners and dealers. It directly competes with Pilot in the same premium enclosed niche.
- Sherpa Auto Transport: Sherpa Auto Transport is a digital-first vehicle transport broker with a strong consumer brand. It competes with Pilot for the B2C specialty and personal car transport segment, though its primary volume is open transport.
- Reliable Carriers: Reliable Carriers is one of the largest enclosed vehicle transport carriers in North America, moving high-value, classic, and exotic cars with a specialized driver fleet. It is the most direct comparable to Pilot's enclosed-carhaul model and shares the same OEM and collector customer base.
- Montway Auto Transport: Montway is one of the largest US vehicle transport brokers/carriers, serving both open and enclosed shipments across consumer and dealer channels. It is a direct peer in the broader vehicle transport category where Pilot competes.
- AmeriFreight: AmeriFreight is a vehicle transport broker with open and enclosed service offerings for individuals and dealers. It is a direct peer serving the same consumer and dealer transport demand.
- AutoStar Transport: AutoStar Transport operates enclosed and open vehicle transport services for individuals, dealers, and auctions. It is a direct comparable to Pilot in carhaul services and target customers.
- A1 Auto Transport: A1 Auto Transport is a vehicle transport carrier and broker covering open and enclosed shipments across the US and internationally. It directly competes with Pilot in carhaul services.
Others
- Copart: Copart is a major online auto auction company that requires large-scale vehicle transport services to move salvaged and dealer inventory. It is an adjacent customer/ecosystem participant in the vehicle transport value chain rather than a direct competitor.
- United Road: United Road is Pilot's parent company and the largest vehicle logistics provider in North America, orchestrating 4M+ vehicles annually. It is included as a peer for context but is the parent entity rather than an independent competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Pilot Transport social profiles
Digital presencePilot Transport compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Pilot Transport financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Pilot Transport leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Pilot Transport funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Pilot Transport 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 Pilot Transport
What does Pilot Transport do?
Pilot Transport provides enclosed and open vehicle transport services for high-value vehicles including classic, luxury, exotic, prototype, and OEM-manufactured cars. The company operates a fleet of 80+ drivers with specialized equipment such as hard-sided lift gates, a patented proprietary tracking system, and provides supplementary marshalling and climate-controlled storage services at facilities in Brighton, MI and Phoenix, AZ.
Is Pilot Transport a public or private company?
Pilot Transport is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Pilot Transport founded?
Pilot Transport was founded in 1988. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Pilot Transport based?
Pilot Transport is headquartered in Brighton, United States, in the North America region.
How does Pilot Transport make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Enclosed Vehicle Transport Services are the primary driver. The others are open Transport Services and marshalling and Storage Services.
Who are Pilot Transport's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Easy Auto Ship, Horseless Carriage Carriers, Sherpa Auto Transport, Reliable Carriers, Montway Auto Transport, AmeriFreight, AutoStar Transport and A1 Auto Transport. Others are Copart and United Road.
Does Pilot Transport have an API?
No public API is recorded for Pilot Transport.