At DealerConnect 25, Cox Automotive leaders didn’t just talk about AI—they showed how it’s already working behind the scenes to help dealers make smarter, faster inventory decisions. On stage, vAuto’s AVP of Business Development, Patrick Janes, cut through the hype with real examples of how AI is quietly transforming the way dealers acquire, appraise, merchandise, and price vehicles.
Forget the buzzwords. This isn’t about futuristic tech or theoretical models. It’s about the tools you’re using today—powered by embedded intelligence helping you stock vehicles where demand is rising, price with precision, and protect your front-end gross.
If you missed the panel, here’s what matters most: AI isn’t replacing your team. It’s empowering them. And with vAuto, it’s already helping you connect the right cars to the right customers—at the right time, for the right money.
What’s Working Now: AI-Powered Inventory Wins
Dealers don’t need another promise about AI. They need proof. And at DealerConnect 25, attendees were shown just that—how AI is already embedded in the tools dealers use every day to make smarter inventory decisions.
Here’s how it’s working now:
Smarter Acquisition
AI-powered demand forecasting helps dealers stock vehicles where interest is rising—before competitors catch on. Instead of relying on gut feel or historical trends, dealers can now use predictive intelligence to align inventory with real-time market shifts.
“AI helps dealers stock vehicles where demand is rising—eliminating guesswork and improving turn rates.” – Patrick Janes | DealerConnect 25 Panel
Appraising with Confidence
AI builds smarter competitive sets for appraising and pricing—drawing directly from consumer behavior data across Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book. That means dealers can price with precision, not assumptions.
- See true demand by VIN
- Get recommendations based on actual shopper behavior.
- Avoid overpricing that leads to aging inventory.
Automated Merchandising
AI doesn’t just help you stock smarter—it helps you sell smarter. Intelligent merchandising tools automate photo selection, feature highlights, and pricing adjustments based on market conditions.
- Reduce manual work
- Improve consistency across listings.
- Drive more SRP and VDP views.
Pricing Precision
Every dollar counts. AI helps dealers hit the sweet spot between margin and velocity.
“AI enables smarter competitive sets for appraising and pricing—drawn directly from Autotrader and KBB consumer behavior. Dealers get recommendations for pricing values and automated ‘smart’ merchandising.” – Patrick Janes | DealerConnect 25
That’s not hype. That’s actionable insight.
Real Dealer Impact: The Wait for AI is Over
The automotive industry is constantly bombarded with news about AI as a future promise. But the message at DealerConnect 25 was loud and clear: AI is already working right now.
AI and automation, backed by powerful data, removes the guesswork for dealers who want to make smarter, faster inventory decisions. It’s not here to replace your team. It’s here to give them sharper tools to make better calls, faster.
Take stocking, for example. At the show, Patrick explained how vAuto’s predictive intelligence helps dealers identify where demand is rising—so they can acquire inventory that’s more likely to move quickly. That means fewer aged units and better turn rates.
Then there’s pricing. Instead of relying on gut instinct or static comps, vAuto pulls in live consumer behavior data from Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book to build smarter competitive sets. Dealers get real-time recommendations for pricing values and automated merchandising that reflects what shoppers are looking for.
“AI enables smarter competitive sets for appraising and pricing—drawn directly from Autotrader and KBB consumer behavior. Dealers get recommendations for pricing values and automated ‘smart’ merchandising.” – Patrick Janes | DealerConnect 25
Patrick also spotlighted tools like Kelley Blue Book® ICO’s remote damage assessment, which uses AI to streamline reconditioning and improve appraisal accuracy. These aren’t flashy features—they’re practical, profit-focused solutions that help dealers move inventory faster and smarter.
The bottom line? AI is already embedded in the workflows dealers use every day. And with vAuto, it’s helping them price right, sell fast, and profit more.
How to Activate AI in Your Dealership
AI is already built into the tools you use every day. The key is knowing where to look and how to turn those capabilities into action. Here’s how vAuto dealers are putting AI to work across the inventory lifecycle:
Acquire Smarter
Use predictive demand signals to stock vehicles that match rising market interest. Instead of relying on gut instinct, AI helps you see where the market is headed—and get there first.
- Action Tip: Use vAuto’s stocking recommendations to identify high-velocity segments and avoid over-investing in slow movers.
Appraise with Confidence
AI builds smarter competitive sets by pulling live consumer behavior data from Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book. That means your appraisals reflect what shoppers are actually willing to pay—not just what similar vehicles sold for last month.
- Action Tip: Lean on ProfitTime’s pricing recommendations to protect gross and avoid underpricing high-demand units.
Merchandise Automatically
AI-powered merchandising tools help you present inventory in ways that convert—automating photo selection, feature highlights, and pricing adjustments based on shopper engagement.
- Action Tip: Enable smart merchandising to reduce manual work and ensure every listing is optimized for SRP and VDP performance.
Price with Precision
AI doesn’t just suggest prices—it helps you understand why. By analyzing real-time market data, it recommends adjustments that protect margin while keeping turn rates strong.
- Action Tip: Monitor Price to Market and Cost to Market daily. Use AI insights to adjust pricing before units hit age buckets.
Track Performance End-to-End
From acquisition cost to recon spend to final sale price, vAuto’s dashboard gives you a full view of every VIN’s journey. AI helps you spot patterns, flag risks, and make faster decisions.
- Action Tip: Set alerts for aging risk and gross erosion. Let AI surface the units that need attention before they become a problem.
Empower Your Team
AI isn’t here to replace your people—it’s here to make them better. By automating the manual and surfacing the actionable, it frees your team to focus on what moves the needle.
- Action Tip: Train your team to use AI insights in daily decision-making—from pricing meetings to trade appraisals.
From Insight to Impact
AI isn’t coming—it’s already here. And for vAuto dealers, it’s quietly reshaping how inventory decisions get made every day.
From smarter stocking strategies to precision pricing, AI is helping dealers move beyond instinct and into insight. It’s not about replacing your team—it’s about giving them sharper tools, faster workflows, and clearer paths to profit.
At DealerConnect 25, Patrick Janes made it clear: the real power of AI lies in its ability to connect the dots—between your cars and your customers, and between your data and your decisions.
Unlock your competitive advantage.
Check out our new guide, The Data Advantage: Turn Market Insights into Dealer Profit.
