How Machine Learning and Vertical AI are Reshaping Inventory Management and Sales Strategy

DETROIT (March 4, 2025) – Artificial intelligence is no longer an emerging technology in automotive retail—it’s a necessity. As dealerships face increasing pressure to optimize inventory, reduce risk, and drive profitability, AI and machine learning are providing new ways to automate decision-making and enhance operational efficiency.

LotLinx, the industry’s leader in AI-driven inventory management, announced today that Lance Schafer, General Manager of Product and Technology, will be speaking at the Auto Intel Summit (AIS) + National Remarketing Conference (NRC) in Cary, NC from April 8-10, 2025. Schafer’s session, “The Rise of AI-Powered Dealerships: Transforming Inventory Management and Sales Strategy,” will take place on Tuesday, April 8, at 2:15 PM EST.

AIS + NRC is a leading forum for automotive executives, technology innovators, and retail strategists, focused on the digital transformation of vehicle sales, remarketing, and finance. Schafer’s session will dive into the practical applications of AI in dealership operations, the roadblocks to adoption, and the strategies that will define the next era of automotive retail.

The AI Adoption Gap: Why Dealerships Are Lagging Behind

Although 80% of dealerships plan to invest in AI by 2025, fewer than 5% have fully integrated AI into core operations such as pricing optimization, demand forecasting, and inventory risk management, according to a recent LotLinx industry survey.

Schafer will unpack this disconnect, explaining why dealers struggle to turn AI’s promise into real-world impact. His session will highlight the critical areas where AI can drive immediate value and offer a framework for integrating AI into dealership workflows without disrupting daily operations.

Key areas of discussion include:

• Automating Inventory Insights – AI can analyze thousands of data points in real time to provide VIN-specific pricing strategies, market demand analysis, and ad spend recommendations, allowing dealerships to take action before vehicles become distressed assets.
• Optimizing Advertising and Marketing Spend – AI-driven insights can pinpoint which vehicles need more exposure, ensuring that dealers are only spending ad dollars where it matters.
• Reducing Pricing and Inventory Risk – AI models can predict which vehicles are most likely to sit on the lot and suggest proactive price or marketing adjustments to prevent aging inventory from eroding profits.
• Enhancing Customer Experience Through AI Chatbots – The next generation of dealership AI will focus on machine-assisted sales interactions, where AI-powered assistants help staff handle customer inquiries, recommend vehicles, and streamline follow-up processes.

The Future of AI in Automotive Retail: From Insights to Automation

While most dealers today use AI for analytics, the real transformation will come from AI-powered automation. Schafer’s session will outline how AI can transition from simply providing insights to actively managing dealership operations, such as:

• Adjusting vehicle pricing dynamically based on real-time market trends.
• Identifying high-risk inventory before it becomes a problem and suggesting proactive solutions.
• Personalizing marketing campaigns based on shopper demand and behavior.
• Using AI-powered assistants to handle dealership customer inquiries and internal reporting.

“The industry is at a turning point,” said Schafer. “AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a tool that dealerships need to integrate now to stay competitive. The dealers that embrace AI strategically will see increased profitability, better customer engagement, and a leaner, more efficient operation.”

Why Dealerships Need AI Now

As profit margins tighten and competition increases, dealerships must rethink their approach to inventory management, sales strategy, and marketing efficiency. Schafer’s session will help dealers understand:
✔ Where to start with AI adoption – How to identify the highest-impact AI applications for their dealership.
✔ How to integrate AI without disrupting operations – A practical guide to onboarding AI-driven tools.
✔ What success looks like – Real-world examples of how AI is already transforming dealership operations.

“AI is fundamentally changing the way dealers operate,” said Len Short, Executive Chairman of Lotlinx. “Lance Schafer has a unique perspective on how machine learning is transforming inventory and pricing strategies, and his session will provide dealerships with the roadmap they need to navigate this shift.”

For more information about Schafer’s session and the Auto Intel Summit (AIS) + National Remarketing Conference (NRC), please visit www.autointelsummit.com.

About LotLinx

Founded in 2012, LotLinx is the automotive industry’s leading provider of AI-powered, VIN-specific inventory management solutions. Using machine learning, real-time data analytics, and precision retailing technology, LotLinx helps automobile dealers and manufacturers optimize inventory strategies, reduce risk, and increase sales efficiency.

To learn more about LotLinx and its AI-driven dealership solutions, visit www.lotlinx.com.