Promising “real-time, automated validation” for F&I product sales, F&I Sentinel announced its compliance engine has been embedded in Cox Automotive’s digital contracting platforms. +

Lotlinx has hired Randy Kobat as its chief commercial officer, overseeing a number of divisions dedicated to executing the dealer software provider’s innovation and growth strategies. +

Only 25% of Americans surveyed for Cox Automotive’s 16th annual Car Buyer Journey report used AI tools along their path to purchase, but that group outpaced all others in reporting the highest levels of satisfaction. +

U.S. dealers sold more than 233,000 full-size pickups in December, propelling the average new vehicle price to a record $50,326 as incentives helped offset affordability concerns. +

Dealertrack reports loan approval rates continue to trend upward as of the end of December, capping a year in which the availability of dealer-arranged financing improved by 3.6%. +

Dealertrack’s Credit Availability index climbed to 99.1 in November, a new high for 2025 and its best level since October 2022, buoyed by higher approval rates and down payments. +

Cox Automotive’s Q4 Automotive Dealer Sentiment Index finds dwindling optimism among retailers as escalating costs, prices and uncertainty affect profits and consumer confidence. +

Cox Automotive’s inaugural Automotive Service Industry Study shows dealers are in a service retention “crisis,” having lost 12% of visits to independent competitors since 2018. +

Dealertrack’s Credit Availability Index increased to 98.3 last month, offering a counter to affordability concerns and continuing a trend toward loosening conditions that began more than a year ago. +

A new survey finds the 15% of dealers who have integrated or embedded AI tools and processes at their stores are more likely to report improved revenue, profitability and efficiency. +