CUTTING THROUGH THE HYPE:
A SIX-STEP STRATEGIC PLAN FOR AI HOW TO SET YOUR DEALERSHIP UP FOR AI SUCCESS IN 2026 CONSUMER & AUTOMOTIVE TRENDS Ready to cut through the noise? Discover the six essential steps every dealership needs to take to harness AI’s true potential, build a smarter strategy, and stay ahead in 2026 and beyond. 83% of consumers say AI will impact how they buy a car in the next 10 years.
64% have already experienced using AI.
37% of dealers believe AI is important to the evolution of their operations.
(Source: AI Readiness Study, October 2025)
STEP 1: Understand AI and Its Types AI isn’t just one thing — it’s a suite of technologies transforming automotive retail.
Generative AI
Large Language Models (LLM)
Deep Learning
Machine Learning
Agentic AI
ACTION ITEMS: Which types of AI are you and your team already familiar with, and which types should you focus on learning in the coming year?