Today’s car buyers expect more than convenience—they expect intelligence.
Car buyers want to feel empowered, not pressured. They want to buy a car—not be sold one. And they want to do it on their terms, whether that’s online, in-store, or somewhere in between. That’s why Cox Automotive created Deal Central—an AI-powered deal-making solution that redefines automotive digital retailing, delivering a modern, customer-first car buying experience.
The Power of First-Party Data
At the heart of Deal Central is something no other solution can match: Cox Automotive’s robust ecosystem of first-party shopper data. This data doesn’t just sit in a dashboard—it drives real-time, actionable insights that help dealers engage smarter and faster.
Brendan Reardon, Associate Vice President of Sales at Cox Automotive, explains, “At Cox Automotive, we’re committed to providing first-party shopper data to all our dealers in a way that they actually can act on.” This data advantage allows dealers to understand where each shopper is in their journey often before they submit a lead. Then, tailor the experience accordingly— whether they’re browsing online, chatting with a rep, or walking into the showroom, embodying the very essence of automotive digital retailing .
Real Shopper Behavior in Real-Time
Understanding shopper behavior and preferences in real-time allows dealers to proactively tailor their approach, creating a seamless and personalized car-buying experience. And leveraging first-party data is critical for making it happen. Without it, dealers are either getting lucky or chasing a lot of dead ends.
Deal Central empowers dealers with two powerful tools designed to turn data into action: Buying Signals and Deal Pulse.
Buying Signals identifies high-intent shoppers based on their live behavior, enabling your team to prioritize leads and engage with customers in the most effective ways.
Deal Pulse offers a dynamic view of deal activity, allowing dealers to monitor progress, identify roadblocks, and take proactive steps to ensure deals stay on track.
Together, these tools help dealers provide smarter, faster, and more personalized service, meeting customers where they’re at and guiding them through the sales journey at their pace using innovative digital retailing solutions.
The Big Shift: Meeting the Buyer on Their Terms
The old-school philosophy has focused on getting the buyer into the store. But today’s buyers are changing the game. They expect flexibility—and successful dealers are taking note. The process may start online, pick up in-store, and switch between channels without notice. And, this is important, the less friction that occurs with each step, the more likely your chances of success.
Deal Central makes that possible.
“Deal Central makes it easy to pick it up with a shopper where they left off online, to literally collaborate with them side-by-side using an iPad or a computer to put a deal together that makes sense for them and the dealership.”
This seamless transition from online to in-store isn’t just convenient—it’s confidence-building.
Never Leave the Customer’s Side
It is crucial to stay connected with the customer throughout the entire journey. It builds trust and ensures a personalized experience. This “side-by-side” experience transforms the dynamic from transactional to relational, allowing customers to feel like active participants rather than passive targets.
Deal Central’s intra-dealer chat and collaborative tools enable your team to maintain this connection effortlessly. Whether the customer is browsing from home or sitting across the desk, your staff can guide them through the process in real time—without ever losing context. This approach embodies the concept of digital retailing tools designed to enhance both customer satisfaction and business outcomes.
Transparency Builds Trust
One of the biggest deal-breakers for shoppers? Inconsistency. “Nothing will undermine a buyer’s confidence like seeing one monthly payment online and then hearing another when they come in,” says Brendan Reardon.
Deal Central ensures that deal terms remain consistent across every touchpoint. That means no surprises, no confusion—just clear, honest communication that helps customers feel secure in their decision.
The Bottom Line? An Elevated Experience
Buyers aren’t just looking for an elevated experience, they’re shifting the way businesses operate. With real-time data, integrated finance tools, and collaborative workflows, automotive dealerships can shift their focus from managing systems to building relationships. The result is a more confident team, a more satisfied customer, and a more profitable dealership.
And the numbers back it up:
Dealers using Deal Central are seeing 2X higher close rates, 15% higher back-end profit, and hundreds more in profitability per deal1. These aren’t just statistics—they’re proof that when you put the customer experience first, everything else follows.
The New Standard for Automotive Retail
The future of car buying isn’t about selling appointments—it’s about delivering experiences. With Deal Central, Cox Automotive is helping dealers do just that: meet shoppers where they are, build trust through transparency, and close more deals with confidence.
It’s time to stop selling the appointment—and start delivering the experience. Learn more about Cox Automotive’s AI-powered deal making solution by visiting https://www.coxautoinc.com/retail/deal-central/.