1 Min ReadMay 30, 2023

The 2023 Trendsetter’s Guide to Automotive Retail

The 2023 Trendsetter’s Guide to Automotive Retail

If there’s one constant in the automotive retail industry, it’s that there’s always an unknown lurking around the corner. And unfortunately, it’s never the same unknown rearing its head. Yet car dealers have persevered — and thrived — despite these repeated challenges.

The 2023 Trendsetter’s Guide to Automotive Retail looks at obstacles that were encountered last year, which have become more or less of a focus for dealers like inventory and staffing, and it takes on one that wasn’t on the radar: the rapid rise in interest rates.

How would this impact on affordability change operations, sales and more at the dealer level? Questions about inflation and recession fears were also added to address economic concerns that have been hanging over every part of the economy for many months.

CDK Global investigated these issues and many others through the lens of the Trendsetter. These are self-identified respondents across all departments — as well as top store leaders — who are the first to implement change.

This report identifies areas that Trendsetters say they’ll retain plus those that produce positive operational and financial outcomes. It also dives into technology’s impact today and the challenges that dealers admit they simply aren’t prepared for in the next year.

Download the 2023 Trendsetter’s Guide to Automotive Retail

Share This

CDK Global
By CDK Global
Staff

Recent Insights

C D K Research Uncovers the Truth About E V Ownership in 2025.

CDK Research Uncovers the Truth About EV Ownership in 2025

Electric vehicles have been a hot topic in the industry for nearly a decade. Today, the end of EV incentives...
2 Min ReadAug 7CDK Global
Four Requirements for Modern Dealer Appraisal Software in 2025.

4 Requirements for Modern Dealer Appraisal Software in 2025

Appraisals are an essential step in dealership processes. Even in today’s market where many dealers are offering top dollar for...
4 Min ReadAug 5CDK Global
Car Buying Process Rebounds in July

Car-Buying Process Rebounds in July

June saw the biggest drop and lowest score in the history of our Ease of Purchase scorecard. Luckily, there was...
3 Min ReadAug 4David Thomas
Three Ways Dealers Use Automotive Inventory Management Software.

3 Ways Dealers Use Automotive Inventory Management Software

Not too long ago, CDK conducted an informal survey of dealerships to see what inventory concerns plague them most. Some...
4 Min ReadJul 30CDK Global
How COVID 19 Strategies Can Help Dealers Pivot in 2025.

How COVID-19 Strategies Can Help Dealers Pivot in 2025

If the word of the year in 2020 was unprecedented, the word of 2025 may very well be tariff. Tariffs...
3 Min ReadJul 28CDK Global
The Evolving Role of the E V Salesperson in 2025.

The Evolving Role of the EV Salesperson in 2025

According to CDK data, vehicle satisfaction declined as electric vehicle buyers shifted from innovators and early adopters to the early...
4 Min ReadJul 23CDK Global
How Generations Like to Buy Electric Vehicles. Online versus In Person.

How Generations Like To Buy EVs: Online vs. In Person

Today, the automotive retail landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with vehicle technology, consumer preference and politics playing crucial...
3 Min ReadJul 17CDK Global
Dealerships Should Always Approach Electric Vehicle Sales Differently.

Dealerships Should Always Approach EV Sales Differently

Today, there may be an elevated interest in electric vehicles as incentives are set to expire on Oct. 1. But...
4 Min ReadJul 14CDK Global
The Race Is On for Used electric vehicles.

The Race Is On for Used EVs

New federal tax guidelines in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminate both the new and used electric vehicle tax...
3 Min ReadJul 10CDK Global
Car Shoppers’ Aversion to Sharing Their Info Online.

Car Shoppers’ Aversion to Sharing Their Info Online

While it’s no surprise car buyers want to test-drive a vehicle in person, it’s surprising how few are willing to...
3 Min ReadJul 8CDK Global