Don’t Just Buy the AI Hype—Make It Work for Your Dealership
AI is everywhere in the automotive industry, promising to revolutionize inventory management, marketing, pricing, and more. But not all AI is created equal. Some vendors are selling high-tech promises without delivering real, measurable results.
For dealers, AI should be more than just a buzzword—it should be a proven, profit-driving tool that integrates seamlessly into your operations. The key? Asking the right questions before investing.
1. What Problem Is This AI Actually Solving?
Before signing on with an AI vendor, ask yourself: What specific challenge is this technology addressing?
- Is it optimizing ad spend?
- Improving inventory turnover?
- Reducing pricing errors?
If a vendor can’t give you a clear answer—or worse, if the solution is just “AI for AI’s sake”—it’s probably not the right fit. Lotlinx uses the industry’s largest automotive dataset, analyzing 26,000 dealerships daily and tracking over 100 million shopper actions per day to help dealers move inventory faster and optimize every VIN.
2. How Does It Use My Data?
AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on. You need to know:
- Where is the data coming from? (Your CRM? Third-party sources?)
- How is it being used? (Is it making real decisions, or just generating reports?)
- Who owns the data? (If you switch vendors, do you lose access?)
A good AI solution should enhance your dealership’s data, not take control of it. Lotlinx tracks every shopping action down to the VIN, using 12+ years of transaction history, pricing trends, and real-time market data. This drives the best automotive dealership marketing and pricing decisions, and ensures you’re popping up on search engines.
3. What Results Can You Actually Prove?
AI vendors love to talk about potential, but what about real-world results?
- Ask for case studies or references from dealers using the technology.
- Request before-and-after performance data (inventory turnover rates, VIN-level ad efficiency, cost savings).
- Find out how long it takes to see results—some AI tools promise overnight success, but true optimization takes time.
Lotlinx has helped dealers sell cars 7-10 days faster, increase PVR by $350, and move inventory 50% faster than the industry average. Want to see how Lotlinx performs at the VIN level? Read our latest omnichannel marketing guide for dealers!
4. How Does This Fit Into My Existing Tech Stack?
A dealership’s tech stack includes CRM, DMS, pricing tools, marketing platforms, and more. Your AI solution should work with, not against, these systems.
- Does it integrate easily? Or will it require costly custom development?
- Is it user-friendly? Will your team actually use it, or will it sit on the shelf?
- What’s the learning curve? If it takes months to implement, it may not be worth the hassle.
Lotlinx seamlessly integrates with 8,000+ dealer websites and major inventory management platforms, requiring no additional IT resources or expensive system overhauls.
5. How Transparent Is the AI’s Decision-Making?
AI shouldn’t be a “black box.” If a vendor can’t explain how their system makes decisions, that’s a red flag.
- Can you see why a price recommendation was made?
- Can you adjust settings to align with your dealership’s strategy?
- Does the AI provide insights, or just dictate actions without explanation?
Lotlinx provides full transparency into how it scores every consumer action and optimizes inventory decisions, ensuring you understand why specific actions are recommended.
6. What Support Do You Provide?
AI isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it solution. Your vendor should offer:
- Ongoing training for your team
- Regular performance reviews to ensure the AI is delivering results
- A dedicated support team—not just a chatbot or an email form
Lotlinx provides a team of expert data scientists, AI engineers, and dealership success managers who work directly with you to maximize your investment and improve results.
7. What Happens If I Want to Switch Vendors?
Sometimes, the best move for your dealership is to switch technology providers. Make sure you know:
- What’s the cancellation policy?
- Can you take your data with you?
- Will switching disrupt operations?
A vendor confident in their product won’t lock you into long-term contracts without proving value first. The power of Lotlinx automotive inventory solutions isn’t just theory—it’s proven in the field. Lotlinx operates on a performance-driven model—dealers using the platform see an average of 62% of their used inventory and 43% of their new inventory getting seen daily, compared to just 23% and 22% for non-Lotlinx dealers.
Hold AI Vendors Accountable—Your Bottom Line Depends On It
AI is a powerful tool for dealerships, but only if it’s the right fit. Asking these questions will help you avoid hype-driven solutions and find AI that actually drives results.
The best vendors won’t dodge these questions—they’ll welcome them. Because at the end of the day, it’s your dealership, your data, and your decision.
Want to see how AI can truly work for your dealership?
Want to stay ahead of the competition? Check out the latest market trends and sales insights here. Get a demo today and start using the power of performance-driven AI.