Driving Forward, Smoothly: CDK’s Approach to Continuous Innovation

For over 50 years, CDK’s proven, reliable Dealer Management System has been the trusted backbone of dealership operations across North America powering more franchise dealerships than any other. Anchored in that trust, we’re propelled by bold innovation. As the automotive industry evolves, so do we — with purpose, precision and partnership.

Automotive Technology Innovation, Driven by You

Our innovation journey starts with a simple truth: You drive it. Every conversation with our dealer partners, every insight from our research, and every challenge you face in store shapes our road map.

You’ve told us you need:

• Seamless, modern dealership workflows that enhance the customer experience
• Tools that make it easier to hire and onboard new talent
• An integrated platform that eliminates screen-hopping and integrates everything in one place
• Real-time insights to make faster, smarter decisions

And above all, you need a system that’s proven, secure, scalable and reliable.

Why We’re Continuously Innovating

The automotive industry is changing fast. Customer expectations are rising. Workforce dynamics are shifting. And technology is evolving at a pace that can feel overwhelming.

At CDK, we believe our industry can do better, and we’re investing heavily to make that happen. Each year, we dedicate significant investment into research and development, more than many competitors generate in total revenue. That investment fuels our mission to:

• Reduce wait times and improve customer satisfaction
• Make onboarding easier with intuitive, modern workflows
• Deliver insights that empower faster, more confident decisions

Slow Is Smooth and Smooth Is Fast

We know change can be disruptive. That’s why we’re not flipping the switch overnight. Instead, we’re embracing the philosophy of “slow is smooth and smooth is fast.”

By building upon the strong foundation that you already trust — the foundation that streamlines operations across Sales, Service, Parts and Accounting departments and integrates with OEMs and deep ISV partnerships — we’re reimagining functionality and workflows in a way that feels natural, not jarring. This approach helps:

• Power users transition confidently without losing productivity
• New hires — even those without dealership experience — get up to speed quickly

As our CEO Brian MacDonald often says, “If you can hire a barista who knows how to talk to people and sell, they can use CDK.” That’s the power of intuitive design: Technology becomes a tool, not a barrier.

How CDK Improves Dealership Efficiency

Our innovation isn’t just about new features. It’s about delivering value where it matters most:

• Modern, intuitive interfaces that reduce training time
• Streamlined workflows that eliminate friction
• Smarter insights that help you sell and service more vehicles

And we’re doing it all without disrupting your day-to-day operations.

1. 80% faster access to key financial data
   → Enables quicker, more informed decision-making on the fly

2. Invoice automation cuts manual entry time by up to 60%
   → Reduces errors and accelerates processing, freeing up Accounting teams

3. Desking upgrades help close deals 25% faster
   → Drives Front End gross and improves customer experience

4. Digital Deal Jacket redesign reduces screen time by 40%
   → Increases F&I throughput and reduces customer wait times to help you serve more customers

5. AI Virtual Assistant (AIVA) boosts lead engagement by up to 3x
   → Converts more leads into appointments and sales

6. In-Store Scheduling Dashboard reduces scheduling time by up to 40%
   → Increases Service Lane efficiency and shop throughput

7. Mobile ASR with video boosts approvals by up to 50%
   → Drives higher RO close rates and customer trust

8. Unified Communication Platform in both CRM and Service boosts CSI scores
   → Centralized messaging improves transparency and customer satisfaction

9. ServiceView Real-Time Sentiment enables proactive issue resolution
   → Helps Fixed Ops Directors address concerns before they impact CSI

10. CDK Industry Insights Dashboard enables real-time benchmarking
    → Helps dealer principals and GMs identify performance gaps and opportunities

Follow the Journey

We’re excited about where we’re headed and we want you with us every step of the way. Explore our Friction Points Study to understand the “why” behind our reimagined platform. Together, we’re not just keeping up with the future of automotive retail; we’re shaping it. Want to partner with CDK and take your dealership to the next level? Request a demo.