There came a time when just stepping into a car dealership felt a bit like walking into a high-stakes poker game: Everyone had to prepare themselves for a bluff or a hidden card up someone’s sleeve.
My experience in the auto industry has taught me that uncertainty is part of the business. Dealers continuously respond to external factors beyond their control, whether it’s tariffs, supply chain disruptions, or economic fluctuations.
Over the past few decades, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with some of the largest and most progressive automotive retailers in the country.
There came a time when just stepping into a car dealership felt a bit like walking into a high-stakes poker game: Everyone had to prepare themselves for a bluff or a hidden card up someone’s sleeve.
Dealership marketing has traditionally relied on whatever data was readily available, usually from a Dealer Management System (DMS).
While speed is essential for businesses to stay ahead, relying on vendors to independently drive technology strategies can result in expensive and disconnected systems.
2025 is set to bring transformative changes to the automotive industry, with dealerships facing the rise of direct-to-consumer (DTC) models, increasing reliance on artificial intelligence, and the ongoing need to streamline fragmented technology stacks.
The sheer volume of data that businesses hold is enormous, and its power is undeniable. But despite this access, I find that too many companies struggle to connect the dots and turn raw data into meaningful growth strategies.
As consumers’ needs for personalized experiences continue to grow more apparent, I’ve seen over and over again how companies continue to fail to listen to — and therefore deliver — what customers really want.
In an era defined by the convenience of online shopping and on-demand services, consumers increasingly expect brand interactions to be personalized and frictionless.
