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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
Be Where Buyers Are: How Marketplaces and Data Discipline Fuel 2026 Growth
Lindsay Llewellyn, Shannon Powell, and Terry Schramm from Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book join Jade Terreberry to share the top trends they're hearing from dealers heading into 2026. They discuss tightening inventory, shifting buyer behavior, and why ROI, connected data, and AI‑powered insights matter more than ever.
From Friction to Flow: How Deal Central Speeds Every Deal
See how McDaniels Auto Group reduced friction and sped up every deal with Deal Central—delivering faster workflows, greater transparency, and a smoother experience for both customers and staff.
From Search to Sold: Autotrader’s AI Tools You Need to See at NADA
Key Points: If you’re heading to NADA this year, make sure Autotrader is at the top of your show floor plan. Dealers everywhere are talking about the impact of AI on retail—and Autotrader is leading the way with tools that don’t just promise innovation but deliver measurable results. From AI‑powered search that connects shoppers to the right inventory faster to Intelligent Market Extension that puts your listings where demand is highest, Autotrader’s newest AI‑driven solutions are built to help you close more deals, reduce friction, and create a seamless experience for every shopper. Ready to see what unified, AI‑driven retailing looks like in action? Book
Kelley Blue Book® Instant Cash Offer: AI‑Driven Acquisitions — Live at NADA
Summary: Many dealers come to NADA searching for their next real advantage —and they’ll find it at the Kelley Blue Book® Instant Cash Offer (KBB ICO) booth. KBB ICO’s valuation engine delivers market‑reflective, trusted values backed by a century of Kelley Blue Book expertise and trillions of data points sourced across Cox Automotive brands. This year, the fastest‑moving teams are focused on one thing: AI that tightens appraisals, speeds decisions, and strengthens every acquisition channel. KBB ICO is introducing new AI‑driven tools that turn trusted valuations into faster, more consistent Offers. From photo‑based damage detection to smarter condition assessments and optimized lead delivery, you’ll see exactly how to reduce friction andKelley Blue Book
Automotive News Webinar Replay – Own the R.O.A.D. in 2026: Four Must Win Strategies Every Dealer Needs Now
Owning the R.O.A.D. in 2026 starts with clarity, but success requires action. When you align your dealership around ROI, build a seamless omnichannel experience, embrace AI as a competitive advantage, and use data to drive daily decisions, you create a foundation that grows market share, protects your profit, and elevates every customer interaction. You need the R.O.A.D. framework! Watch the on-demand webinar below to learn: Please find the R.O.A.D four step plan mapped out during the webinar.