Based on 1,000+ dealer-only conversations across franchise and independent rooftops in CDG Circles.
Big picture: Operators are quantifying ROI from custom AI tools, with one reporting $85,000 in annual software savings and another generating $50,000 gross profit in 60 days from an automated service lead retention tool. Stellantis dealers are preparing for October mandates requiring digital retail/trade tools and MAP pricing, raising concerns about co-op and delivery allowance impacts.
For inventory acquisition, one dealer pointed to a Facebook-based high-volume wholesaler buying ~1000 cars monthly, most selling within 30 minutes of posting. Fixed Ops leaders are targeting Quick Lane proficiency improvements, with one Ford+Lincoln dealer at 61% (vs. 88% main shop) aiming for 75- 80% by optimizing workflow and parts access.
1) Custom Tools & AI Payoffs
Quantifying Internal Builds: Dealers are reporting measurable returns from building their own tools.
One operator tracks $85,000 per year in software cancellations from custom tools, not including efficiency gains or indirect profit.
A service lead retention tool built internally generated $50,000 in gross profit over 60 days.
Another's custom chat tool saved $30,000 annually (valued at $2,500/month) and tripled website conversion metrics, including partial chat engagements.
One member is nearing completion of an Xtime replacement, anticipating further cost savings.
2) OEM Mandates & Inventory Strategy
Stellantis Digital Retail & MAP Pricing: Stellantis dealers are clarifying new mandates taking effect in October.
Dealers are required to implement a digital retail/trade tool on their websites (e.g., AutoFi, Car Now, Eshop, Dealer Process, Web Buy).
Non-compliance may risk strikes against co-op and delivery allowance.
While some express frustration over required inferior tools and ad strategies, many see MAP pricing as a beneficial long-term change, aligning with FTC requirements and potentially helping to hold gross.
Ford Inventory Transfer Impacts: Dealers debated the effects of transferring aged inventory between stores on Ford allocation.
One understanding suggests that transferring aged units helps increase turn at the receiving store, which aids allocation, and only negatively impacts availability for the specific vehicle line (e.g., Transit/Maverick) at that store.
Another view indicates that vehicle age stays with the unit regardless of transfer, primarily affecting floor plan curtailments. Turn and earn is believed to be modelspecific.
3) Phone Systems & Call Tracking
GoTo & CallRevu Performance: Discussions around phone systems reveal mixed experiences and switching trends.
One dealer is consolidating 8x8 and CallRevu to GoTo, partly in anticipation of moving to Tekion CRM.
Another praised GoTo as the "best dependability" and "least expensive" system used, noting ease of changing call routing and adding users without support calls. Its AI receptionist, SMS conversion features, and integration with DriveCentric and Tekion were highlighted.
Conversely, a dealer expressed disappointment with CallRevu due to calls flagged as spam and text messages failing, leading them to switch to CarWars.
Despite issues, CallRevu was recommended by multiple dealers as a solution for a new phone system, particularly for its integration with Elead and myKaarma.
4) Fixed Operations Benchmarks
Service Department Proficiency: A Ford+Lincoln dealer reported 88% main shop proficiency and 61% Quick Lane proficiency, seeking benchmarks.
Responses suggest 61% in Quick Lane "isn't unusual," with 75-80% being a healthy target. 88% in the main shop is considered "solid."
Factors impacting Quick Lane proficiency include MPI process time, tech-to-bay ratio, alignment of posted labor times with real workflow, and advisor write-up quality.
Strategies for improvement include using a dispatcher to drive cars to techs and having a dedicated parts person in the shop to improve efficiency
Technician Pay Structures: Dealers shared approaches to technician compensation and scheduling.
One member shared a pay plan spreadsheet for Fixed Ops Directors with built-in simulators and scales to adjust based on target compensation.
A common 4x10 hour shift schedule for techs includes rotations of MTWTH, MTFS, and WTHFS, rotating monthly or by seniority, with 11-hour shifts including a 1-hour lunch.
Dealers in Missouri/Oklahoma/Kansas are seeking pay structures/scales to address challenges in attracting and retaining technicians
Oil Billing Practices: A bet was settled regarding billing oil by fractional units.
One dealer bills oil by the half-quart (or tenth), meaning a 4.8-quart oil capacity would be billed as "10 units of 5w30."
This practice is cited as "100% the norm" for some OEMs (e.g., Nissan) and for PPM plans that require billing exact amounts down to tenths, not just half-quarts.
5) Inventory Management & Acquisition
Third-Party Vehicle Acquisition: Dealers explored options beyond traditional online platforms.
One dealer flagged a specialty dealer turned high-volume wholesaler running a direct-purchase model from private parties and dealers. This wholesaler owns all vehicles, sells around 1000 cars a month, with 99% selling within 30 minutes of posting.
VINCUE vs. vAuto Evaluation: Dealers offered mixed feedback on switching inventory management platforms.
One dealer switched from vAuto to VINCUE, reporting "huge cost savings" and satisfaction with the tools. The transition took 1-2 weeks, and inventory management, pricing, and appraisals were comparable or better. They also consolidated Homenet billing.
Another dealer regretted the switch, citing "lot of inventory feed challenges," "weird photo/price issues," and frequent breakdowns, making the timing difficult.
Both acknowledged global search being slightly better in vAuto.
Virtual Photo Booths: Dealers shared recommendations for inventory imaging solutions.
Options included Dealer Image Pro ($800/month, month-to-month, utilizing inhouse staff with spiffs), CarCutter ($400-600/store), and Spyne (praised for faster turnaround than Dealer Image Pro, often used with Life Chaser pro case).
One dealer is canceling Impel due to contract issues.
Top Actions for Next Week
Evaluate internal AI opportunities: Consider if custom automation could address specific software costs or process inefficiencies, as demonstrated by operators saving $85,000 annually or generating $50,000 gross profit in 60 days.
Review Stellantis digital retail compliance: Verify your dealership's readiness for the October digital retail and MAP pricing mandates to avoid potential impacts on coop and delivery allowance.
Investigate alternative vehicle acquisition channels: Explore models like the Facebook-based "mega wholesaler" that acquires ~1000 cars/month, if traditional platforms are limiting.
Analyze Quick Lane proficiency: Benchmark your Quick Lane's 61% proficiency against targets of 75-80%, examining factors like MPI process, tech-to-bay ratio, and parts efficiency.
Revisit phone system effectiveness: Assess your current phone/call tracking provider, considering the mixed feedback on GoTo and CallRevu, and explore solutions that offer high dependability and integration with existing CRM/DMS.
Pro & Executive members: Your Wins & Warnings for Aug 7–15 are below.
Self-built AI tools are drawing the most attention — one operator's service lead retention tool booked $50,000 in gross profit in its first 60 days, part of a wider move where members are cancelling paid software for their own builds, one tracking $85,000 a year in killed subscriptions. GoTo is winning phone-system switches on dependability and price, with one operator citing easy call-routing changes and user adds without ever calling support. And VINCUE is pulling dealers off vAuto on cost, with one consolidating Homenet and vAuto billing into a single subscription inside two weeks.
On the warning side, that same VINCUE migration cut the other way for another dealer — inventory feed challenges, photo and price display issues, and something always seeming to break. A long-time CallRevu user is switching to CarWars after outbound calls started getting flagged as spam and text messages stopped going out. And Impel surfaces in warnings, with one operator cancelling over contract terms tied to the vendor's other products.
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