Perplexity (over 15M MAU) just launched AI shopping, a major leap in AI-powered search and commerce.
It’s a clear signal for industries like automotive to rethink how they connect with customers.
Imagine users asking, “What’s the best electric car for my budget?” or snapping a photo of a car to instantly view buying options, pricing, and nearby dealerships.
How do you think the AI Search + Shopping will impact car dealerships? How are you getting ready?
I've been rolling this idea around for automotive for over a year now. I can't tell you how many times out loud I've said 'AI shopping is going the be it's fastest route to profitability'. Not just for automotive but for all industries.
I know some of the big 3rd parties are dabbling with it but I highly doubt any of them will capture the right customer experience for it to be successful. It needs to be built for consumers, not dealers. Glad I'm not the only one keeping an eye on this.
It’s clear that one-size-fits-all solutions won’t work in an era where personalization is everything. While the future is obviously not clear, I would bet that multiple B2C and D2C players will dominate, each having unique personalization. But a strong human connection or community aspect will likely be a common thing among all platforms.
For example, swipe-based interactions are a massive trend among younger generations. From “swipe to apply for a job” to “swipe to buy a clothing item", this approach is booming. I think we could see the same happen with cars. I am not sure if swiping will remain the trending interface, a personalized app for car shopping will likely pop up soon
My 2017 Design Challenge: "How would you destroy AutoTrader?"
Shopper facing Concept Mockup: Click Here
Your Car Buying Assistant.
Glide learns about you then goes out to the Internet and brings you back money saving ideas! The more you use Glide, the smarter Glide gets.
SHOP FOR YOUR NEW CAR... ANONYMOUSLY
Glide shops for you at Car Makers, Car Dealers, Banks, AutoTrader, Kelly Blue Book and more! Next, Glide organizes it all for you and keeps you aware of price changes.
You'll love Glide so much! It'll even fill out your paper work in the dealership!
AI assistants eliminate manual research effort, delivering transaction-ready buyers to dealerships. This transforms dealers from information/negotiation centers into product delivery hubs, enabling higher sales volume with optimized staffing.
1. Research Aggregation & Organization
Shopper Benefit:
No more "Google pogo-sticking" between sites - AI assistant automatically harvests and refines personalized information Dealer Impact:
Higher quality leads as buyers arrive research-complete, dramatically reducing staff time per transaction
2. Smart Vehicle Discovery
Shopper Benefit:
Personal AI assistant continuously matches preferences against market inventory Dealer Impact:
Higher conversion rates as inventory shown only to matched, qualified buyers in active purchase mode
3. Trade-In Optimization
Shopper Benefit:
Real-time, multi-source valuation creates confidence in trade-in value Dealer Impact:
Faster transaction cycles with pre-qualified trades increases possible deals per day
4. Total Cost Analysis
Shopper Benefit:
Clear understanding of ownership costs including payments, insurance, maintenance Dealer Impact:
Pre-qualified buyers with realistic budget expectations enable more efficient transactions
5. Streamlined Purchase Execution
Shopper Benefit:
95% reduction in paperwork time through automated document processing Dealer Impact:
Minimal negotiation and automated processing enables dramatic increase in transactions per staff member
Key Result: AI assistants handle the heavy lifting of research and qualification, delivering informed buyers ready to focus on product rather than process. This enables dealers to significantly increase sales volume while optimizing staff levels.
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