Video: How Vehicle Inventory Software and AI are Transforming Dealership Operations in 2026

Mastering vehicle inventory can make or break dealership success. In a recent CDK LIVE panel at NADA 2026, Doug Horner (aka Benzes & Bowties), general sales manager of Mercedes‑Benz North Olmsted, and Dan Doolin, CDK lead marketer for the Vehicle Inventory Suite, shared how AI, transparency and social media are reshaping the way dealerships operate. 

What Today’s Car Buyers Expect From the Dealership Experience

Horner highlighted how unscripted, behind‑the‑scenes social content has helped him build trust and drive leads, while also supporting a growing shift toward remote transactions, now accounting for roughly half of his business. Together, these approaches are creating a more efficient, customer‑friendly buying experience that meets modern expectations.

“I look at competitors like CarMax and Carvana, and I think, okay. They’ve made it very easy for people to sell a car to them. People like that. So, as a franchise dealer, we need to be able to emulate that experience.” -Doug Horner, General Sales Manager of Mercedes‑Benz North Olmsted

Turning Inventory Faster: From Weeks to Days

The discussion also underscored how AI‑powered inventory tools, like CDK Vehicle Inventory Suite, are replacing guesswork with data‑driven decisions. Dan emphasized that today’s technology gives dealers real insight into competitive pricing, transaction history and past performance, enabling smarter pricing and faster turnarounds. 

“Technology tools can present information in front of them [dealers] very quickly. They’re just speeding up the process and making a quicker decision and helping them be more efficient.” – Dan Doolin, CDK Lead Product Marketer for Vehicle Inventory Suite

From selling vehicles in days instead of weeks to clarifying the difference between list prices and actual selling prices, AI is helping dealerships operate with greater accuracy and transparency. 

See the Full CDK LIVE Discussion

Want to hear the full conversation and see how these strategies come to life? Watch the video to gain firsthand insights from Horner and Doolin on the future of inventory management and automotive sales.