Technology
AI expert Devin Daly believes the fractured nature of dealership operations means “generic” solutions like ChatGPT may be helpful but can’t create the “control layer” dealers need. +
When humans differ with AI colleagues, whose opinion should prevail? CXOtoday editors find that, by some metrics, “board observer” technology already has the edge. +
Numa’s newest tool was designed to enhance communications with service advisors, parts teams and BDC reps by adding customer-specific context to every call and voicemail. +
Toma’s new Safeguards tool was designed to detect and reroute irate customers. It launches alongside Inbox, a new dashboard that displays every queued call, voicemail and text. +
iTapMenu’s new Remote Menu feature was designed to allow F&I professionals to deliver complete, interactive menu presentations to customers’ personal devices via text. +
A new Cars.com survey of U.S. car shoppers finds 44% are already using AI-powered search tools built into online marketplaces and 97% believe AI will affect their vehicle selection. +
BLiNK AI has integrated with Tekion, adding a multifaceted automated customer engagement solution to Tekion’s APC platform to streamline service workflows. +
Team Velocity and VINCUE have partnered to launch Trade Cycle Intelligence, a new, AI-based solution designed to target and engage customers who may be in the market for a new vehicle. +
VMS’s David Prusinski makes the case for pairing AI tools with telematics to escape the traditional, reactive “break/fix mentality” and maximize uptime for commercial vehicle buyers. +
CarGurus dealers now have access to PriceVantage, a new tool designed to use machine learning to deliver pricing recommendations based in part on shopper behavior and inventory datasets. +
Cars.com announced the launch of Carson, a new, AI-powered search tool that allows consumers to submit conversational queries and already boasts a 30% higher conversion rate. +
Lotlinx has launched LotGPT, a new AI chatbot designed to serve as a personal dealer advisor, backed by historic VIN-level and shopper data and billed as an industry first. +
A new survey finds the 15% of dealers who have integrated or embedded AI tools and processes at their stores are more likely to report improved revenue, profitability and efficiency. +
Wolters Kluwer’s Digital Transformation Index shows the adoption of digital workflows ticked down by 2.3% from the second quarter but improved by 4.3% year-over-year. +
Carleton’s Tim Yalich urges dealers and finance sources to face the “critical reality” of the complexity, challenges and profitability risk that underlies lease payment calculations. +
FullThrottle Technologies announced the launch of The Automotive DSP, a new, AI-powered platform designed to allow dealers to create and execute tierless marketing campaigns. +
In a post-tax credit world, CarEdge’s Justin Fischer believes the same EVs that sold themselves through government incentives are being sold just as effectively by family, friends and coworkers. +
Commercial vehicle dealers tell Equipment Finance News’s Quinn Donoghue that AI is moving the needle at their stores by helping their sales teams work smarter and faster. +
GoTo’s new Connect AI Receptionist was designed to automate dealership sales and service scheduling by handling routine questions, setting appointments and balancing service demand. +
A successful test run at a Texas Hyundai store preceded the nationwide launch of D.A.I.V.E., a new AI agent designed to connect with and assist car shoppers walking dealership lots. +
AutoSonix has launched an AI-powered platform designed to give dealers, wholesalers and warranty providers “unprecedented” visibility into a vehicle’s condition and value. +
EVAI’s rebrand is intended to evoke a “broader vision” for the company, which partners with dealers as one facet of its work in the AI-driven fleet management enablement field. +
A new Carleton survey finds lending, banking, finance and fintech professionals are both optimistic and cautious toward new systems designed to improve speed, accuracy and compliance. +
RouteOne has adopted machine learning and optical character recognition to identify and process “not electronically originated” documents included with econtracting packages. +
A SearchLab Digital study finds the average major-market auto dealer ranked No. 10 in Google search results would have to spend $2.94 million per year on PPC ads to climb to No. 1. +
The newest addition to DAS Technology’s Consumer Data and Experience Platform is AI-powered, “hyper-personalized” videos designed to help dealers engage car shoppers with tailored content. +
A Phyron survey of U.S. auto dealers finds 87% believe AI will replace some staff members by 2030, only 5% say AI will “never” fully take over some roles and about half believe AI will sell vehicles by 2028. +
A new reputation management platform promises to identify removable reviews found to be in violation of rules such as conflict of interest, prohibited content and competitor sabotage.+
DriveCentric has devised a “next-gen” CRM strategy to break down technology silos and manage the entire dealership customer lifecycle on one flexible platform. +
Lotlinx’s Len Short describes hidden inventory risk as a “silent threat” and “critical blind spot” that leaves units with correctable issues stagnating on dealer lots until they are flagged for deep discounts. +
inride has added Trade Agent AI, a new, agentic AI tool designed to proactively and autonomously identify trade-in and purchase opportunities and engage with vehicle owners. +
Protective Asset Protection has launched an AI-fueled expansion to its Protective Training Institute, including the integration of Anomaly Labs’ AutoTrainer coaching and roleplaying tool. +
OPENLANE announced the launch of Audio Boost AI, a new tool dealers and service team members can use to analyze engine sounds while evaluating and inspecting vehicles. +
Impel and RockED have launched the Automotive AI Certification Program and the Advanced Automotive AI Certification Program for dealership workers and managers. +
Drivesona founder Colin Carrasquillo is offering U.S. auto dealers an opportunity to join the car shopper-facing platform on a three-month trial basis. +
J.D. Power’s latest Tech Experience Index Study finds smart ignition, climate control and driver preferences were among the favorite — and most reliable — features listed by surveyed new vehicle buyers. +
The California New Car Dealers Association is suing to prevent further collections of deposits for the upcoming Afeela 1 EV, which the factory plans to sell directly to consumers. +
Reynolds and Reynolds has launched Rey, a new agentic AI solution designed to help dealership professionals complete a range of tasks within the Reynolds DMS. +
A new Botdoc survey finds 63.8% of U.S. buyers are “very” or “extremely” frustrated by the shopping process and want to complete more steps online while protecting their personal data. +
Fullpath has acquired Fuse Autotech’s Dynamic Payments solution in an effort to deliver personalized offers in real time to car buyers on Fullpath’s “AI-first” Customer Data Platform. +
Ford and Lincoln dealers using the factory’s FordDirect customer engagement platform now have a new employee in “Jerry,” Podium’s AI-powered, inbound lead-handling virtual sales assistant. +
vAuto will leverage the power of AI to enhance the trade-in appraisal and service lane sourcing processes and generate instant offers for quality units with UVeye’s “MRI for cars.” +
PCMI’s new Claims Intelligence framework was designed to add efficiency to the claims adjudication process by combining the powers of AI and automation. +
Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s role in the 2024 election and second Trump administration coincides with a brand loyalty rate that plummeted from 73% to 49.9% in less than a year. +
Experian’s 2025 U.S. Identity & Fraud Report finds AI is in use by more than one-third of surveyed service providers, but advanced technology has yet to outpace obstacles to adoption. +
Electrek’s Fred Lambert says a review of documents following a $243 million judgment against Tesla reveals the EV maker withheld collision data critical to the plaintiffs’ case. +
ID Privacy AI announced the addition of a fully autonomous, voice-first agentic AI workforce to its BDC Pro platform, offering dealers enhanced customer communications at numerous touchpoints. +
Dealers can now submit credit applications directly into Algebrik One, an AI-powered decision tool, to secure financing and receive compliant loan docs, all without leaving the AppOne interface. +
Abdel Alnubani announced the launch of DealerLytix, an AI-powered software suite designed to “outsmart the market” to give dealers and acquisition specialists a competitive edge. +
Capital One’s Dealer Navigator platform now features ProtectID, a new solution that uses AI to gauge risk by combining soft pulls with fraud models and deep data insights. +
Zoom Auto Protect has unveiled a new claims and concierge platform that promises instant coverage decisions, nationwide service center integration and enhanced customer satisfaction. +
California DMV officials are pushing for a 30-day suspension of Tesla’s dealer license in an escalation of a yearslong legal dispute over the way “self-driving” vehicles are advertised. +
Lotlinx’s latest report finds U.S. dealers sold fewer EVs with more supplies in the second quarter as a market “fueled by affordability” steered price-conscious car buyers into gas and hybrid units. +
Regarding life insurance strictly as a death payout for dealership employees ignores the living benefits many providers offer, argues iCover founder and CEO Hari Srinivasan. +
Len Short of Lotlinx lists five ways dealers are using predictive modeling, a core aspect of AI, to improve efficiency and make more accurate forecasts and data-driven decisions. +
Wolters Kluwer’s Digital Transformation Index shows econtracting adoption increased by just over 7% from the prior quarter and is up by more than 116% over the past four years. +
Alliance for Automotive Innovation’s John Bozzella says the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s unexpectedly rapid phaseout of the federal EV tax credit will slow adoption and hurt consumers. +
Fullpath reports the majority of car buyers and lessees are comfortable with AI and a partial or fully online transaction, raising expectations for a seamless dealership experience. +
Cox Automotive reports the number of dealers offering a fully online transaction has doubled in the past two years, resulting in a more efficient process increasingly driven by AI-powered tools. +
Lexus and Nissan models lead J.D. Power’s latest Initial Quality Study as buyers of all brands express growing frustration with touchscreen-powered infotainment systems. +
Access to CDK’s Fixed Operations Suite is no longer restricted to CDK DMS users, expanding access to the feature-rich digital service lane solution. +
A lawsuit that may qualify as a class action has been leveled by one customer of Branhaven CJDR of Branford, Conn., who claims security failures led to the theft of his personal data. +
The launch of Data Pipelines adds automated sync options for batch-differential updates and inception-to-date delivery to PCMI’s Policy Claim and Reporting Solutions platform. +
Commercial vehicle buyers are becoming increasingly comfortable with the ChatGPT-style interfaces integrated into fleet management software, creating a new opportunity for forward-thinking dealers. +
VinFast has awarded its first California franchise to Sunroad Automotive Group, which plans to kick off operations at VinFast San Diego this month. +
Mosaic Compliance Services announced the launch of AuditF&I, a new continuous compliance monitoring solution designed to help dealers confirm and document compliance with state and federal requirements. +
The latest reports from S&P Global Mobility and Automotive News show registrations of new fully electric vehicles fell 4.4% in April, snapping a 14-month streak of year-over-year gains. +
“The Dealership AI Security Guidebook” offers dealers a 15-point checklist for reducing the risk of an AI-powered cyberattack or data breach, starting with vendor and service provider assessment. +
Gas/electric hybrids accounted for 12.4% of U.S. new light-vehicle sales in the first quarter while market share remained essentially flat for battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. +
Ford Motor Co. will recall more than 1 million vehicles sold in the U.S. and Canada due to a software error that could cause the rearview camera’s in-dash display to malfunction. +
EVAI founder Ian Gardner says a new survey proves an opportunity exists for dealers willing to leverage data and technology to stay ahead of rapidly evolving fleet service trends. +
Carvana increased sales by 46% year-over-year in the first quarter, moving 133,898 units and generating $4.2 billion in revenue, both all-time quarterly records, following a similarly positive Q4 report. +
Kerri Wise has joined Lotlinx as chief marketing officer, bringing 25 years of industry experience to the inventory management solutions provider as it grows and leans into AI and machine learning technology. +
Lotlinx’s Lance Schafer attributes increased adoption of machine learning and predictive modeling to a growing desire for “better, faster business decisions” that affect inventory management and pricing. +
DAS Technology’s Tariff Toolkit is a free marketing and communications guide for dealers seeking a competitive advantage as new tariffs on imported vehicles create a sense of confusion and urgency. +
Tesla CEO Elon Musk told investors he will reduce his role as a senior White House advisor to one or two days per week after reporting a 71% decline in net income, led by a 20% drop in automotive revenue. +
Wolters Kluwer reports the rate at which dealers and auto finance sources are adopting digitized contracting and documentation workflows improved by 1% from the prior quarter and 2.2% year-over-year. +
Plug’s new Trade Desk app was designed to help dealers accurately and efficiently determine the trade-in value of EVs produced by other manufacturers and generate market-rate wholesale offers. +
Director Fan Jin told attendees of this week’s J.D. Power Forum that U.S. car shoppers can now lease new Hyundais from Amazon Autos, which is stocked with inventory from dealer lots. +
A new EVAI survey of 2,500 fleet executives finds growing concerns over acquisition and replacement costs as tariffs on imported vehicles threaten to upend budgets and planning. +
A Gallup poll finds 51% of Americans own or are open to owning an EV, unchanged from a year ago and down from 59% in 2023. Only 11% say they already own one or are “seriously considering” it. +
The Cybertruck Long Range is a single-motor, rear-wheel drive version of the fully electric pickup that offers a bump in range and a long list of deleted features, starting at $71,985 with destination.+
Kelley Blue Book reports U.S. sales of new EVs increased by 10% in the first quarter, led in part by 30,000 units moved by General Motors dealers, while sales of market leader Tesla slipped. +
J.D. Power reports EVs accounted for 9.3% of all U.S. sales last month, up from 8.4% in March 2024. Tesla remains the most considered EV brand despite a steadily declining share of the segment. +
A new Botdoc.io survey finds more than 70% of dealers frequently experience CRM-DMS integration issues that frustrate employees and customers and hurt profitability. +
One Guard Inspections has launched Priority Inspections, a new tool designed to leverage real-time video guided by ASE-certified mechanics to accelerate decisions and improve efficiency. +
An EVAI survey of more than 2,500 fleet executives finds they are actively seeking stronger partnerships with dealers as they seek to improve efficiency and transition to EVs.+
Nikola founder and former CEO Trevor Milton says he has been pardoned by President Donald Trump, escaping a four-year federal prison sentence and $1 million fine. +
VicOne’s latest annual report finds cyberattacks cost the global automotive industry $22.5 billion last year — including $20 billion in data leakage — up from about $1 billion in 2022. +
Autotrader editors say they were “pleasantly surprised” to add Volkswagen’s fully electric ID. Buzz minivan to their Best New Cars of 2025 list, which highlights 10 models available for less than $110,000. +
Interactive EQ’s new, AI-powered Auto IEQ talent assessment platform was designed to help recruiters, HR teams and hiring managers measure “soft skills” and evaluate personnel. +
Edmunds analysts tell Reuters that Tesla vehicles accounted for 1.4% of all vehicles traded in at U.S. dealerships from Jan. 1 to March 15, up a full percentage point from March of 2024, as the EV maker faces declining sales and stock values. +
CDK has launched a new solution designed to offer dealers operating one or two rooftops a scalable sales and fixed ops software suite that leverages the CDK Dealership Xperience platform. +
Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials are warning car buyers to be on the lookout for fraudsters posing as dealers by cloning websites and social media profiles and accepting payments via wire transfer. +
Lotlinx’s Len Short says artificial intelligence and machine learning have quickly become critical elements of a successful inventory management strategy, far outpacing human intuition. +
The FTC announced checks totaling more than $934,000 have been sent to 20,361 Vroom customers harmed by violations of rules and regulations intended to protect used car buyers.+
Registrations of new Teslas fell 11% year-over-year in January and lost 12 percentage points in U.S. market share. But the EV maker's stock value improved by 7.6%, partially offsetting a steep decline. +
President Donald Trump plans to purchase a Tesla in support of Elon Musk, the EV maker’s CEO and a senior White House advisor, in the face of protests, incidents of vandalism and a declining stock value. +
DealNow.com’s Brad Parker says platforms that connect dealers with sellers of privately owned vehicles need built-in identity verification and fraud prevention tools to avoid costly mistakes. +
DealNow.com’s Brad Parker urges DealerELITE readers frustrated by EV pricing and selection in the auction lanes to leverage emerging technology designed to connect dealers with private sellers. +
InformedIQ.com’s Jessica Gonzalez says a recent U.S. Treasury report proves artificial intelligence is changing the auto finance industry in several ways, enhancing efficiency as well as risk. +
The 2025 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study finds battery electric vehicle buyers are increasingly satisfied with their purchases and 94% say they would buy another one. +
Carvana’s stock fell by double digits on consecutive days following glowingly positive Q4 reports. Investor’s Business Daily’s Aparna Narayanan explains how a corresponding call for funding spooked the market. +
Sales and systems development leader Paul Croshaw has joined dealership digital solutions provider Botdoc as executive vice president of automotive sales. +
Lexus and Buick lead all brands in J.D. Power’s latest 3-year dependability study, which finds U.S. car buyers are more frequently encountering issues relating to software and connectivity. +
CDK Global accused rival Tekion of “anti-competitive practices” in a newly filed federal lawsuit, escalating a legal battle over ownership of and access to data generated by dealerships. +
Jeep owners say their infotainment screens are lighting up with unwanted, frequently appearing ads for an extended factory warranty. The Drive’s Caleb Jacobs investigates. +
Citing plateauing demand, dealers and other experts agree California car buyers are not likely to close the gap required to meet the state’s goal of 35% zero-emission sales by the 2026-MY. +
Analysts say econtracting adoption has slowed for consecutive quarters but improved dramatically compared with the fourth quarter of 2023. +
An eLEND Solutions survey found 90% of respondents believe AI-based pricing is contributing to inaccurate online quotes. +
700Credit will integrate its services into Botdoc Connect, promising faster and more efficient hard and soft credit pulls with enhanced data security. +
Westlake Financial announced the launch of a new program that will allow some car buyers seeking financing to make their down payment using Bitcoin and avoid taxes incurred from its sale. +
Value Watch is a new tool designed to send enrolled consumers monthly emails and text messages to keep them apprised of the value of their trade-ins. +
The Verge’s Wes Davis follows up on Apple’s pledge to bring the next generation of its CarPlay infotainment system to U.S. vehicles by the end of 2024 and finds the promise largely unfulfilled. +
A new survey finds 92% of EV buyers plan to buy another EV and only 1% would buy a gas-powered vehicle, with lower operating costs the most-cited factor. +
Amazon Autos is now live and in partnership with Hyundai dealers in 48 U.S. cities, allowing shoppers to buy a vehicle from the ecommerce giant for the first time. +
Hyundai’s much-anticipated retail partnership with Amazon faces delays due to the CDK cyberattack and is now expected to launch in 2025. +
As subscription models expand into automotive services, customers may be reaching their breaking point. WardsAuto reports. +
Honda’s R&D chief told Reuters that solid-state batteries could double the driving range of its electric vehicles by the late 2020s. +
Software company UVeye, which offers an AI-powered vehicle inspection product, earns a spot on TIME’s prestigious list of the year’s top innovations. +
Reynolds and Reynolds has partnered with Skaivision, a provider of “smart space” AI designed to help dealers become more efficient and profitable by leveraging cameras trained on staff and customers. +
Why are investors drawn to WarrCloud’s automated warranty processing solution? WardsAuto’s Alysha Webb follows the money. +
In a new article for Digital Dealer, David Boice says a hybrid online/instore sales model is now not only the norm but the expected experience for today’s consumers. +
Most dealers leverage some form of video marketing, but too many fail to fully appreciate its potential, according to Tim Copacia of J.D. Power UnityWorks. +
An Anyline survey found more than two-thirds of service technicians say at least half of their daily tasks depend on some level of technology and feel comfortable using advanced diagnostic tools. +
As in-vehicle systems and diagnostic technology continue to evolve and advance, independent repair shops are finding it increasingly difficult to service every vehicle they encounter. +
A PwC report finds the appetite for an omnichannel online/in-person buying experience remains “insatiable” among a growing contingent of tech-savvy customers. +
Tesla tried to convince Jay Larson the wind noise he heard following the replacement of his Cybertruck’s windshield was either nonexistent or normal. CarScoops’ Chris Chilton details Larson’s low-tech repair. +
Autel U.S.’s latest addition to its line of MAX diagnostic tablets was designed to help technicians quickly identify the vehicle and scan for service issues. +
Wolters Kluwer’s Q3 Auto Finance Digital Transformation Index shows econtracting adoption slowed in the third quarter but continues to advance in year-over-year and four-year trends. +
Force Marketing Executive Vice President Eric Mercado joined CBT News's Jim Fitzpatrick to discuss predictive marketing technology and how dealers can take advantage. +
Automated warranty processing solutions provider WarrCloud said it raised $20 million from Series B investors in a funding round led by Centana Growth Partners. +
Bozard Ford Lincoln of St. Augustine, Fla., is the first dealership to leverage a new integration between Spiffy and Reynolds and Reynolds. +
As artificial intelligence continues to transform the car-buying experience, what does the future hold for flesh-and-bone sales professionals? +
A NHTSA investigation into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles equipped with optional Full Self-Driving software follows the latest of four reported collisions. +
Jump IQ, an AI-powered dealership valuation tool, earned top honors as the Dealership Solution of the Year in the AutoTech Breakthrough Awards. +
AutoTech Breakthrough announced the latest winners in its annual awards program, designed to recognize and bring awareness to “excellence in automotive technologies, services, companies and products.” +
JM Family Enterprises has joined forces with RockED to leverage “personalized learning paths” to identify topics and skills in need of focus and improvement. +
Findlay Cadillac of Las Vegas is among the 300-plus dealerships leveraging a new, AI-powered vehicle scanner developed by UVeye. +
