Video: AI Gains Ground at the Dealership

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future concept for automotive dealerships. It’s a present‑day differentiator. The AI Gains Ground at the Dealership CDK LIVE session, revealed just how quickly AI has moved into the mainstream: Today, 100% of dealers report at least some familiarity with AI, with half saying they’re very familiar. Adoption is accelerating just as fast, with AI usage climbing from 28% to 39% year over year. 

More importantly, this isn’t surface‑level experimentation. Nearly three‑quarters of dealers using AI are integrating it directly into their technologies and workflows, and 69% are already seeing a positive impact on their operations, from improved efficiency to better customer engagement.

The conversation also highlighted what meaningful AI adoption looks like in practice. CDK’s approach to hybrid intelligence combines decades of automotive data with deep industry expertise to deliver insights dealers can actually use — right inside their existing workflows. Embedded AI tools, including always‑on virtual assistants, help staff focus less on administrative tasks and more on high‑value customer interactions, while ensuring customers get fast, accurate responses whenever they need them. 

You need to have the experience, the data and the technology really combined in the right way to bring the insights that makes employees a lot more productive. 

- Sanjay Almeida, Chief Product Officer, CDK

The takeaway is clear: Dealerships that thoughtfully integrate AI into daily operations are better positioned to boost productivity, elevate the customer experience, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. 

Watch the full video to hear these insights firsthand and see how AI is reshaping the dealership experience.