Industry Trends 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.

Blog Post

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, […]

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

Blog Post

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 […]

Video

vAuto LMV Q1 2026: Ramping Up for a Strong Tax Season

vAuto’s Derek Hansen and Patrick Janes highlight key takeaways that emerged from dealer conversations at the NADA 2026 convention in Las Vegas. Watch this Live Market View installment as they discuss how AI is helping dealers unlock profitability through operational efficiency; why inventory acquisition—and used vehicle department performance—will be foundational to drive growth as 2026 […]

NADA 2026 Preview: A Quick Rundown What’s New in Las Vegas

NADA 2026 Preview: A Quick Rundown What’s New in Las Vegas

In this vAuto podcast, Derek Hansen and Patrick Janes provide a preview of the AI-enabled innovations vAuto will debut at the NADA Show in Las Vegas to help dealers achieve greater success. Hear how the combination of AI and integrations with other Cox Automotive solutions can help you build and scale a customer-focused service lane […]

From Appraisal to Merchandising: Building Trust with Transparency

Blog Post

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 […]

Unlocking Profitable Used-Car Sourcing: Expert Q&A with Cox Automotive

Infographic

Unlocking Profitable Used-Car Sourcing: Expert Q&A with Cox Automotive

Discover actionable strategies for optimizing used-car inventory acquisition in today’s competitive market. In this Q&A, Derek Hansen, Senior Vice President of Dealer, Lender, and Inventory Management Solutions at Cox Automotive, shares insights on: This infographic distills expert advice to help dealerships adapt, thrive, and boost their bottom line with innovative technology and data-driven decision-making.

vAuto Podcast - How a Dealer Finds His “Happy Place” Every Christmas

How a Dealer Finds His “Happy Place” Every Christmas

In this vAuto podcast, Jeremiah Mowry, operations director at Atlanta Auto Brokers, details how a drive-to-school conversation with his daughter in 2017 helped him find his “happy place”—giving away Christmas trees and gifts every December to families in his local community. Hear how Jeremiah and his team turned an idea for a cash-making side hustle […]

Top Tech Trends to Watch in 2026

Blog Post

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 […]

Unlocking the Power of Automated Merchandising: Telling Your Dealership’s Story with vAuto

Unlocking the Power of Automated Merchandising: Telling Your Dealership’s Story with vAuto

Join Chris Moyer, Performance Manager at vAuto, for an insightful session on transforming your dealership’s merchandising strategy. Discover how evolving consumer expectations—affordability for new vehicles and transparency for used—are reshaping the automotive retail landscape. Learn how to leverage the latest AI-driven tools to automate time-consuming tasks, enhance your vehicle listings with compelling photos, interactive 360° […]

Pointers to Prime Your Service Lane Acquisition Success

Pointers to Prime Your Service Lane Acquisition Success

In this vAuto podcast, Mike O’Toole, used vehicle director at Mohawk Honda, and vAuto’s Patrick Janes go in depth on the best practices and process steps that help Mohawk acquire and sell nearly 40 vehicles a month from their service drive. O’Toole shares how he and his team have evolved the service lane acquisition effort […]