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Responsible AI, Real Results: The Right Way to Scale AI in Your Dealership
Derek White, Founding Member & Chair of C.O.R.A. (Council of Responsible AI), joins Jade Terreberry to explore what responsible AI adoption looks like for automotive dealers today.
Stip Upload & Delivery: The Next Enhancement for Lending Efficiency
Featuring AVP/Lender Strategist Andy Mayers with insights from the latest Cox Automotive Research In our last Lender Insights blog, we introduced Structured Stips—a simple enhancement that helps lenders clearly communicate document requirements at the time of credit application. Now, let’s talk about the next step in the process: Stip Upload & Delivery. This future-proofing functionality enables the consumer—or dealer, depending on where the financing step is taking place—to digitally submit those clearly identified documents. These documents travel through Dealertrack straight to the lender’s LOS, well before the contracting step, which expedites deal finalization, contracting, and funding. Why This Matters, Starting Now According to recent Cox Automotive industry studies, more consumers are starting
Moving Stip Delivery Upstream — Your Future Depends on It
Speed deal-making, contracting, funding today — and prepare your organization for an AI & automation-driven future.
Top Fixed Ops Trends from NADA 2026
The conversations coming out of NADA 2026 made one thing clear: fixed ops is no longer just about efficiency behind the scenes—it’s about delivering a service experience that meets modern customer expectations while supporting dealership profitability. In the first Xtime Fixed Ops Focus webinar of 2026, Xtime leaders recapped the biggest takeaways from the show and explored how evolving technology, smarter workflows, and clearer communication are reshaping the service lane. The message was consistent throughout the session: dealerships that simplify processes and improve transparency are better positioned to earn trust and drive long‑term growth. Here’s a closer look at what stood out. The Service Experience Is Becoming More Seamless and Connected Today’s
From Buzz to Business at NADA 2026: AI Realities + Inventory Conversations That Matter
Summary: Dealers didn’t come to NADA 2026 for hype—they came for what to do next when they got back to work. Whether you made it to Las Vegas or were busy holding down the fort at the dealership, one thing is clear: you need more cars! It’s time to talk about your acquisition strategy and the tools and technology that tighten appraisals and reduce friction across every channel. Read below for your post‑show action plan, the AI realities behind it, and the inventory plays dealers are talking about. Your 30-Day Post-NADA Action Plan Below are the steps you can take in the next 30 days to tighten appraisals, strengthen acquisition, and reduce friction across every channel. These seven steps reflect what the Kelley Blue Book® Instant Cash Offer team learnedKelley Blue Book
From Instinct to Insight: How to Win the Moments That Matter
Car shoppers don’t start their journey when they walk into your car dealership. Long before a lead hits your CRM, they’ve already explored options, compared prices, and built expectations through digital research. Behavioral data gives your team the context behind those choices — and when paired with your instincts, it removes friction and opens more doors. It’s not intuition or technology. Its intuition powered by better information. Beyond the Showroom The buying journey has moved upstream. Shoppers aren’t waiting to talk; they’re forming opinions earlier and faster than ever. Recent Cox Automotive research shows: 87% start online 72% say personalization
From Data to Direction: Turn Shopper Behavior Into Right‑Time Action
Most dealerships collect data—few turn it into direction teams can use. See how activating behavioral and real-time insight helps you move upstream in the buyer journey, predict next best actions, personalize at the right moment, and reduce friction so deals move forward faster.
Structured Stips: A Simple Enhancement that Speeds Funding and Strengthens Dealer Relationships
Featuring AVP/Lender Strategist Andy Mayers with insights from the latest Cox Automotive Research Speed and clarity are everything in today’s competitive auto finance landscape. Lenders are under pressure to approve contracts and fund deals faster—without sacrificing compliance or accuracy. But one overlooked step may be slowing you down: how you communicate credit stipulations. You might think your dealer partners have this down. After all, they’ve learned your acronyms and shorthand — “POI” for Proof of Income, “POR” for Proof of Residency. But consider this: each year more consumers are taking financing steps online and getting pre-approved before ever setting foot in a dealership. Maybe you’re not seeing this trend yet. But according
Improving Stipulation communications improves funding operations
How clearer, acronym-free guidance on all docs you require speeds financing approval, contracting, and funding. 0:04 And we’re back. 0:06 Welcome to another episode of Small Bites. 0:08 I’m Greg Payne, Marketing Manager with Cox Automotive, and I’m joined once again by my colleague Andy Mayors, AVP of Dealer Track Lender Solutions. 0:17 Andy, I’ve really got to say that I’ve been joining these Small Bites sessions we’ve done so far. 0:22 Now in our last video, we talked about alternative deal structures and you mentioned that the next step in improving the deal making and funding process is something called structured steps. 0:32 Now tell me what exactly do structured steps enhance? 0:35 Is the dealer track credit application network? 0:38 Is the dealer workflow? 0:39 Is it the lender workflow? 0:41 I’m not