Blog Post Archives | vAuto

Line chart showing the growing share of EV appraisals at dealerships, with EV trade-ins increasing from about 1.6 percent in early 2025 to nearly 1.8 percent by early 2026.

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An Early View of the Emerging Used EV Opportunity

Last fall, when the federal tax credits for EVs expired and EV demand dropped off, our industry faced a question: Did this moment effectively mark the beginning of the end of the EV market? Looking back, this question was more about the drama of the moment than a true reflection of how the EV market would perform in the months ahead. After all, […]

Put Spring Demand to Work. Five Moves Dealers Can Make this Tax Season.

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Put Spring Demand to Work. Five Moves Dealers Can Make this Tax Season.

Summary The spring market is waking up. Tax refunds are already flowing, with more than $100 billion returned to consumers so far this season. That cash tends to hit the auto market fast, and early signals suggest it already has. In his latest Auto Market Weekly Summary, Cox Automotive’s Chief Economist, Jeremy Robb, points to a familiar pattern. Refunds are supporting near‑term demand, wholesale […]

The Means to Multi-Channel Acquisition Has Arrived

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The Means to Multi-Channel Acquisition Has Arrived

Summary: You’re not getting paid to juggle systems. You’re getting paid to find and acquire the right vehicles, fast. The market has shifted. Doing your job is more complex, and multi-channel acquisition is now a requirement. Vehicles are coming from more places, and buying teams are expected to be more proactive and more proficient across every channel that can help fill the lot. That’s where […]

Connected Data, Connected Decisions: The Real AI Advantage for Inventory Leaders

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Connected Data, Connected Decisions: The Real AI Advantage for Inventory Leaders

“AI without connected data is just…expensive guessing.” – Yossi Levi, The Car Dealership Guy A Smarter Way to Think About AI Begins with Better Data AI isn’t magic. You can’t push a button that instantly solves all your dealership challenges. (Not yet at least.) AI only becomes powerful when it’s built on top of connected, consistent, high‑quality data. Derek Hansen, SVP of Dealer, Lender & Inventory Management Solutions […]

Six Must-Do's for a Smarter, Faster Sourcing Strategy This Year

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Six Must-Do’s for a Smarter, Faster Sourcing Strategy This Year

Summary Affordability pressures are pushing more shoppers toward used vehicles, and trade‑in volume continues to swing week to week. Dealers can’t rely on instinct alone. To stay competitive this year, you need a sourcing strategy that helps you buy smarter, move faster, and consistently protect your margins. The top performers aren’t guessing. They’re leveraging better data, broader visibility, and tighter evaluation workflows to stay stocked with the right […]

A New Operational Priority: Your Appraisal to Sales Ratio

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A New Operational Priority: Your Appraisal to Sales Ratio

Here’s a question every dealer should answer: Are we appraising at least as many cars as we sell? The question’s critically important for three reasons: It is for all these reasons that I believe now’s the time for dealers to work on improving their appraisal to sales volume. Think about it: If you are appraising […]

From Appraisal to Merchandising: Building Trust with Transparency

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From Appraisal to Merchandising: Building Trust with Transparency

Summary: Discover how vAuto empowers dealerships to build trust and boost customer satisfaction through transparency at every stage—from appraisal to merchandising. Backed by the latest Cox Automotive research, this blog reveals why open communication and clear vehicle condition reporting, are essential for today’s car buyers. Learn how prioritizing transparency not only enhances the shopper experience but also drives […]

Top Tech Trends to Watch in 2026

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Top Tech Trends to Watch in 2026

Summary:Stay ahead in 2026 with the latest automotive technology trends from vAuto. Discover how predictive analytics, AI-driven workflows, and personalized marketing are transforming dealership operations—helping you turn inventory faster, boost profits, and deliver tailored experiences that today’s buyers demand. What You’ll Learn from This Blog Smarter Inventory, Faster Deals, Higher Profit Technology is accelerating, and […]

Beyond the Buzz: From AI Hype to Real-world Impact

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Beyond the Buzz: From AI Hype to Real-world Impact

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 […]

vAuto Digitization Guide blog post 2025

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Priced to Move, Not to Hope: Three Data-Driven Strategies

Efficiency is a profit lever. And for today’s top-performing dealerships, AI, automation, and digitization aren’t just buzzwords—they’re business drivers. According to the 2024 Digitization of Automotive Retail Study, dealers using omnichannel tools see a 53% greater positive impact on close rates from digital retailing compared to others. In this article, we’ll break down how Cox […]