A commodity product distribution plan is used to instruct source sites as to how commodity products are to be distributed among target sites. Where the commodity products are to be sold at auction, a wide range of auction prices can be expected due to mixed models, model years, commodity attributes such as color or optional features, economic conditions, and the auction site location itself. Additional factors that contribute to realized auction prices include depreciation and interest rate costs as well as constraints on shipments and auction site capacities. The present invention provides forecast auction prices for the commodity products, taking these various factors into consideration. In this way, an optimized distribution planned aimed at maximizing the potential profit for the commodity products to be sold at auction is generated.