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The Dealership Revolution

How 28% of Dealers Using AI Are Rewriting the Playbook for Car Sales

Humanoid robot working as a car seller, holding a tablet and presenting a car in a futuristic dealership
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TLDR: CDK Global’s 2025 research reveals 28% of dealerships have implemented AI, with 68% reporting positive impacts including 15-20% reduction in holding costs. While 62% remain skeptical, early adopters are transforming inventory management, customer service, and sales processes—positioning themselves to dominate as AI becomes table stakes by year-end.


Picture this: It’s 11 PM, and a customer is browsing your inventory online. Your sales team is asleep, but your AI assistant just qualified a lead, scheduled a test drive, and sent personalized financing options. By morning, you have a buyer ready to close. This isn’t science fiction—it’s happening at 28% of dealerships right now, according to CDK Global’s latest AI study.

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