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The U.S. automotive supply chain relies heavily on rail, with railroads moving most new vehicles nationwide. According to the Association of American Railroads, freight rail moves nearly 75% of the new cars and light trucks purchased in the United States each year, with Class I railroads carrying roughly 1.8 million carloads of motor vehicles and parts annually.
With such a large share already moving by rail, optimizing how vehicles are transported has become increasingly important. Originally developed through collaboration between major railroads and automotive manufacturers, the Multi-Max Plus™ is a great solution for moving vehicles.
The multi-level auto carrier railcar was engineered to support the needs of the automotive industry, including changing vehicle sizes and the need for flexible loading configurations. Built on a low-level flatcar frame, the design provides greater vertical capacity while maintaining compatibility with existing auto rack operations.
Tall vans can be transported on the upper deck while pickup trucks, SUVs and other vehicles are loaded below, creating flexibility for both railroads and automotive manufacturers. The Multi-Max Plus™ can transport up to nine vehicles depending on the configuration, significantly improving rail equipment utilization.
Greenbrier’s auto rack design has been engineered to enhance aerodynamic performance, supporting our commitment to sustainability, offering rail transportation as an eco-friendly mode of transport.
Additionally, an aerodynamic railcar design can contribute to the safety of rail travel by improving stability, handling and reducing risk. Safety continues to be a core value of Greenbrier.
When vehicle production shifts between plants or models, railcars that can adapt to different vehicle types reduce downtime and improve efficiency. Rail transportation is more than capable of moving large volumes of finished vehicles by train which reduce highway congestion, improve fuel efficiency and provide a cost-effective alternative to long-haul trucking.
Innovations such as the Multi-Max Plus™ demonstrate how modern rail equipment can help railroads and manufacturers respond as the automotive sector and the broader supply chain continues to evolve.
Source: Greenbrier