CDK Vehicle Inventory Suite Accelerates Inventory Turn for Garlyn Shelton Auto Group

Challenge

Operating five rooftops and selling roughly 450 vehicles each month (a 1:1 new-to-used ratio), Garlyn Shelton Auto Group faced growing complexity with their inventory management. Each store operated independently and used a patchwork of tools such as HomeNet for merchandising, Lot Intelligence for appraisals, and Reynolds & Reynolds for the DMS. This fragmented approach created unnecessary delays, inconsistent pricing and disconnected workflows across the group.

Dealers in the group found themselves spending too much time reconciling data and reentering information into multiple systems. The lack of consolidated retail data also made it difficult to benchmark performance, track aging inventory, or ensure pricing accuracy. As the market grew more competitive and digital sales accelerated, the team needed a unified solution that would simplify operations, improve speed and help them make smarter, data-backed inventory decisions.

We're able to turn inventory five to ten days faster as a group.

Brian Duble
General Manager
Garlyn Shelton Auto Group

Solution

To address these challenges, Garlyn Shelton adopted the CDK Vehicle Inventory Suite across all five of its dealerships. This all-in-one platform replaced multiple systems and connected appraisals, pricing and merchandising into a single, seamless workflow. The team now has real-time visibility into both retail and wholesale data, which allows them to confidently price and promote vehicles without switching between tools or waiting for updates.

The Vehicle Inventory Suite also provides integrated AI features, photo shoot lists, and mobile capabilities that give every department from Sales to Inventory Management access to consistent, accurate information. Now the team can initiate appraisals on the lot, adjust pricing based on market data, and push listings live to third-party sites in hours instead of days.

Results

Appraisals That Drive Confidence

With the Vehicle Inventory Suite, Garlyn Shelton transformed their appraisal process into a faster, more data-driven operation. The platform delivers comprehensive retail and actual sales data as well as auction insights directly within the workflow, which helps the team reduce guesswork and increase confidence in every number they put on a car. Appraisals that once took longer or required multiple checks can now be completed on the spot — whether it’s a trade-in, an auction purchase, or a direct buy from a customer.

The CDK mobile app also allows the team to complete appraisals from anywhere, which speeds up trade-in evaluations and allows immediate follow-up with customers. This has helped the team respond to customers quicker and increase transparency.

Faster Listings and Smarter Merchandising

Before CDK, merchandising depended on multiple systems and manual uploads that delayed listings and sometimes caused errors between channels. By switching to CDK’s unified platform, Garlyn Shelton now lists vehicles online at least an entire day faster and with higher consistency across every rooftop. This means vehicles reach potential buyers sooner and appear with more accurate pricing and descriptions.

The team has also taken advantage of the Vehicle Inventory Suite’s built-in AI tools to elevate their merchandising process. The professional vehicle descriptions and shot lists for high-quality photography have helped create a stronger visual presentation that has made a noticeable impact on engagement and online lead volume.

Reliable Partnership and Support

CDK has proved to be more than just a technology provider to Garlyn Shelton — they’re a true partner as well. When questions or issues arise, the CDK support team responds quickly and provides clear communication until the matter is resolved.

This responsive partnership has built confidence in CDK’s long-term value and helped the group adopt new tools such as pricing rules and enhanced reporting with minimal disruption. CDK’s ongoing innovation continues to provide new efficiencies that strengthen dealer performance.

Accelerated Turn and Measurable ROI

The Vehicle Inventory Suite has helped the group reduce days to turn by an impressive five to 10 days across its five rooftops. This acceleration has allowed the dealership to rotate inventory faster, reduce carrying costs, and improve overall profitability.

By pricing vehicles based on current retail trends and adjusting automatically to market shifts, the group maintains competitive pricing without sacrificing margin. The ability to act quickly on aging units has improved cash flow, reduced depreciation risk, and increased alignment between Sales and management teams.

Conclusion

The Vehicle Inventory Suite has transformed how Garlyn Shelton Auto Group manages its operations. By bringing together appraisals, pricing and merchandising into one connected platform, the dealership group achieved measurable gains in efficiency, confidence and speed.

Dealers now spend less time managing systems and more time focusing on customers. Faster appraisals, smarter pricing and shorter inventory cycles have positioned the group as a data-driven leader in their market.