Take action on leads, inventory, and pricing from anywhere. The Cars.com Dealer app helps your team move faster and make smarter decisions.
Get more done with the Cars.com Dealer app
Your inventory is now optimized for AI search
Your Dealer Inspire website was already built for AI. Now new upgrades help your inventory get included in responses from AI search tools.
How to follow up on Cars.com leads with shopper details
Every Cars.com lead comes with shopper intelligence built in. Here’s how to use it to close more deals before the competition calls back.
Turn appraisals into trades and trades into profit
See your appraisal rate, trade capture %, and progress toward the 2-to-1 ratio that cuts missed trades to competitors in half.
Display itemized fee breakdowns on your VDPs-updated
Price stacking displays itemized fee breakdowns on your VDPs. Configure fees once in Dealer Dash with no feed changes.
Dealer Inspire websites are built for AI search
Get an inside look at the upgrades making your DI website and inventory more visible to AI search assistants.
Display itemized fee breakdowns on your VDPs
Price stacking displays itemized fee breakdowns on your VDPs. Configure fees once in Dealer Dash with no feed changes.
Meet the 2026 Cars.com Dealer of the Year award winners
See which dealerships across the country earned top honors in the 2026 Cars.com Dealer of the Year Awards.
Promote every VIN on your lot with AI hype videos
Our AI syncs with your vehicle data and photos to automatically generate video ads for every VIN on your lot.
Reach car shoppers beyond your dealership’s PMA
Give your inventory a bigger audience. See how Market Area Expansion drives more views and leads.
Smart Response transforms how dealers respond to reviews
Discover how Smart Response helps you respond to positive reviews at scale using AI—without adding work for your team
Introducing AccuTrade IMS
AccuTrade IMS empowers dealers to appraise, price, and manage the most profitable path for every VIN on Day 1.
AccuTrade Intelligence Score | Manage Inventory By Risk
Is your inventory as healthy as you think? The Intelligence Score reveals the risk profile of every vehicle on your lot.
Welcome to your new command center
Cars.com now gives shoppers valuable insights into battery performance on used EVs to make more confident decisions with your inventory.
How to automatically set up service drive acquisition opportunities
See how AccuTrade automatically texts trade-in offers to service customers, turning appointments into a quality acquisition opportunities.
How Carson™ AI connects more shoppers with local dealers
Watch how Cars.com’s new AI makes searching for a car more human and connects more shoppers with local dealers.
How to see the profit impact of appraising with AccuTrade
The Profit Funnel Report proves AccuTrade’s value by comparing front-end gross profit per vehicle appraised. See it in action.
Why Cars.com is the place to be in 2026
See Cars.com’s epic plans to top a record-breaking 2025 for bringing in-market shoppers to local inventory on the best marketplace for dealers.
Full-Funnel Marketing Playbook: Chapter 3
Learn how BOFU converts high-intent shoppers with personalized experiences, validated audiences, and protected first-party data.
The Car Dealer’s Website Playbook: Chapter 6
Your website data tells you what’s working and what’s not. Learn to measure, interpret, and optimize performance to drive real results.
Using inventory management to maximize front-end gross
Learn how to shift from age-based to risk-based inventory management to protect front-end gross and maximize profitability.
November 2025 Industry Insights
Automakers are focused on pushing out 2026 model-year vehicles and selling down older inventory while balancing softer new-car demand.
Carson™ AI open-text search recommends your inventory
Discover how Carson™ open-text search on Cars.com transforms car shopping and delivers higher-intent leads for your dealership.
Full-Funnel Marketing Playbook: Chapter 2
Learn how mid-funnel marketing keeps dealerships visible, engages undecided shoppers, and drives consideration that leads to sales.
How third-party widgets impact your site’s speed
Discover how Dealer Inspire analyzed 5,000+ dealer websites to reveal the hidden performance cost of third-party tools, and what it means for your conversions.
The Car Dealer’s Website Playbook: Chapter 5
Turn your service pages into loyalty and profit drivers with smart offers, trade-in tools, and personalization that keeps customers coming back.
October 2025 Industry Insights
Automakers are focused on pushing out 2026 model-year vehicles and selling down older inventory while balancing softer new-car demand.
Analyzing 1 billion impressions to find the most effective CTAs
Dealer Inspire analyzed over 1 billion impressions to identify which call-to-action language drives the most engagement across dealership websites.
Unlocking profitability with precise vehicle appraisals
AccuTrade’s Joe Oliveri breaks down complete car appraisals and how they deliver steady profits for your dealership.
How to move aged inventory faster
Learn how to turn aged vehicles into profits. Activate DealerClub, sync your Cars.com inventory, and move inventory faster today.
Q3 2025 Industry Insights
EV incentives, tariff impacts and model-year transitions defined a steady auto market in Q3 2025, with stable pricing, lean inventories and balanced wholesale activity.
Dealers see 89% higher conversion rates from Cars.com referral traffic
See how Cars.com referral traffic converts 89% higher than Google Ads, with predictable costs and in-market buyers.
How Serra Honda O’Fallon wins more VINs with AccuTrade
The top-rated team at Serra Honda O’Fallon is earning more happy customers and valuable inventory by appraising cars with AccuTrade.
Dealers see 89% higher conversion rates from Cars.com referral traffic
See how Cars.com referral traffic converts 89% higher than Google Ads, with predictable costs and in-market buyers.
Full-Funnel Marketing Playbook: Chapter 1
Learn how top-funnel marketing builds trust, primes buyers, and drives long-term sales for dealerships with data-backed strategies and proven tactics.
See how shopper details and alerts help you close more leads
Most leads leave you guessing. See how Cars.com leads come loaded with the shopper insights your team needs to close faster.
How AI is reshaping the car shopping funnel
Show the right message at the right moment. Inline banners now match offers directly to shopper searches for higher engagement.
New integration speeds up wholesale listing workflow
Maximize every appraisal with a wholesale workflow designed to protect margin, reduce risk, and improve profitability from the start.
The Car Dealer’s Website Playbook: Chapter 4
Discover proven UX strategies that turn browsers into buyers through transparent pricing and seamless CTAs.
The Car Dealer’s Website Playbook: Chapter 3
Create content that ranks in search and AI answers with strategies that build lasting authority and visibility for your website.
Cars.com is driving millions of shoppers to dealerships this fall
Our Q4 media strategies are reaching millions of car shoppers where they watch. See how we’re connecting with football fans, streaming viewers, Uber riders, and more.
How Automotive Avenues converts undecided shoppers into loyal customers
See how this New Jersey dealer used Cars.com reputation tools to get consistent 5-star reviews and 24% higher conversion rates.
August 2025 Industry Insights
The U.S. auto market saw strong first-quarter 2025 sales — driven by pre-tariff buying and healthy EV demand — but affordability challenges and rising loan rates signal turbulence ahead.
The Car Dealer’s Website Playbook: Chapter 2
Guide every visitor toward the right next step with targeted messaging and friction-free paths to keep them shopping with you.
The appraisal rule that’s transforming dealer profits
Brian Kramer reveals the proven appraisal rule that lets you dominate the trade-in game to acquire more cars, more profitably.
Dynamic inline banners respond to every shopper search
Show the right message at the right moment. Inline banners now match offers directly to shopper searches for higher engagement.
Profit Funnel & Trade Capture measure real appraisal value
New AccuTrade reports prove data-driven appraisals deliver up to $2,700 more profit per vehicle. See your real appraisal impact now.
How to check your website diagnostics
Peek under the hood of your website to spot performance issues and uncover ways to drive more speed, leads, and sales.
The Car Dealer’s Website Playbook: Chapter 1
Learn how to turn more clicks into customers with a faster, clearer, personalized website experience built for how people shop today.
Clarivoy CEO reveals the shopping shift that’s reshaping automotive sales
The Google-first era is over. Dealers who adapt to marketplace-first shopping win more customers and profitable sales.
July 2025 Car Sales Rise 6.6% as Shoppers Move Ahead of Expected Tariff Costs
Car Prices Creep Up as Tariffs Hit, and EV Incentives Could Change the Market
Your Dealer Inspire site is AI-ready
Dealer Inspire allows verified AI crawlers like ChatGPT & Gemini while blocking malicious bots, so your site stays visible in AI search.
Save & Compare keeps high-intent shoppers engaged – Update
See how we’re helping shoppers stay longer and convert more often on your Dealer Inspire website.
How Germain Toyota acquires 100+ cars a month from service with AccuTrade
Discover the tech and process that help Germain Toyota turn routine service visits into a reliable source of inventory.
Navigating tariff turbulence
Get the strategy for responding to tariffs with smarter inventory management, stronger customer experiences, and clear action plans.
Cars.com is influencing buyers everywhere and bringing them to you
Our summer campaign spans streaming, social, rideshare, and more — reaching millions of in-market car shoppers every month.
Navigating tariff turbulence-updated
Get the strategy for responding to tariffs with smarter inventory management, stronger customer experiences, and clear action plans.
Get alerts for new activity on your Cars.com leads
Get alerts when past Cars.com leads show new activity, helping your team follow up faster and close more sales.
The AI revolution in search (and why it matters to car dealers)
Go beyond traditional SEO with Ask Engine Optimization (AEO). Optimize your site to get your dealership featured in AI-driven search.
Save & Compare keeps high-intent shoppers engaged
See how we’re helping shoppers stay longer and convert more often on your Dealer Inspire website.
Make your dealership’s online reputation your MVP
Take your dealership’s online reputation to the next level with these six best practices that build trust and loyalty for your brand.
New shopper details in your CRM with every lead-test
Cars.com leads now include detailed context for each shopper’s journey, empowering your team to more effectively engage and close leads.
Make your dealership’s online reputation your MVP
Take your dealership’s online reputation to the next level with these six best practices that build trust and loyalty for your brand.
Car Prices Creep Up as Tariffs Hit, and EV Incentives Could Change the Market
Car Prices Creep Up as Tariffs Hit, and EV Incentives Could Change the Market
How to become a 5-star team
Maximize your dealership’s reputation with proven strategies to increase reviews by 8x and win the 88% of undecided shoppers.
Car buyers are skipping Google. Here’s where they’re going instead.
Consumer behavior has shifted. Clarivoy finds buyers now start on marketplaces like Cars.com—not Google. See what it means for dealers.
Managing inventory by risk, not age
Still managing inventory by age? See why two automotive leaders say risk is the new standard for smarter, more profitable decisions.
Car Sales Stay Strong in April, But Tariffs and Affordability Shake Consumer Confidence
April 2025 auto sales remained elevated thanks to pre-tariff demand, but rising prices, shaky brand loyalty and tighter inventory point to a more cautious summer.
Watch how to influence real shoppers at scale with In-Market Video
Cars Commerce Media Network has turnkey solutions designed to accelerate turn time and maximize marketing performance across the board
AccuTrade Profit Calculator-updated
Find out how many cars you could be acquiring from your service drive — and the profit you’re missing without a strategy.
New shopper details in your CRM with every lead
Cars.com leads now include detailed context for each shopper’s journey, empowering your team to more effectively engage and close leads.
AccuTrade Profit Calculator
Find out how many cars you could be acquiring from your service drive — and the profit you’re missing without a strategy.
Auto Sales Surge in First Quarter of 2025, But Tariffs and Affordability Raise Concerns
The U.S. auto market saw strong first-quarter 2025 sales — driven by pre-tariff buying and healthy EV demand — but affordability challenges and rising loan rates signal turbulence ahead.
Tariffs, Affordability & Shopper Trends | A LIVE Conversation with Industry Leaders
Cars Commerce Media Network has turnkey solutions designed to accelerate turn time and maximize marketing performance across the board
Meet the first reputation based wholesale marketplace
Transparent, reputation-based wholesale auctions — DealerClub is now part of Cars Commerce, where dealers get paid to sell.
How to crunch holding costs and save profit with our turn-rate calculator
Want to cut costs and turn inventory faster? Learn how to calculate holding costs and maximize your profits.
Turn Cars.com into your dealership’s “Why Buys”
Discover how to leverage Cars.com’s annual accolades to create your dealership’s “why buys” backed by trusted, independent endorsements.
Turn affordability concerns into conversions
Discover how to launch an affordability-focused marketing campaign that drives sales and builds trust with local in-market shoppers.
AccuTrade integration automatically generates service appraisals
Each time a vehicle rolls over Hunter’s Quick Check Drive® technology…
Tariffs & Trade: A LIVE Conversation with Industry Leaders
Cars Commerce Media Network has turnkey solutions designed to accelerate turn time and maximize marketing performance across the board
Brian Kramer’s tariff playbook for car dealers
Brian Kramer shows you how smart pricing and inventory management can help your dealership reduce holding costs and increase profitability.
More EVs and a Buyer-Friendly New Car Market — But Tariff Jitters Loom
February’s auto industry saw EVs expanding, used-car prices stabilizing and tariffs looming over the market. Get the latest trends on new- and used-car inventory, pricing and what shoppers should watch for in the coming months.
Website Health Report diagnoses site speed drag
Real-time insights to optimize your dealership’s website performance.
The 2025 Cars.com Dealer of the Year Awards
Cars Commerce Media Network has turnkey solutions designed to accelerate turn time and maximize marketing performance across the board
Speed wins: how to optimize Core Web Vitals
Shoppers expect speed. See how Dealer Inspire optimizes website performance to keep them engaged and drive more conversions.
Advertise to actual car shoppers with first-party data
Cars Commerce Media Network has turnkey solutions designed to accelerate turn time and maximize marketing performance across the board
How to appraise and acquire cars over the phone
Watch how easy it is to turn trade-in phone calls into effortless acquisition opportunities with AccuTrade.
How to stand out and win on reputation in 2025
Cars.com can help you earn stars that sell cars with original editorial content, unique assets that show off your “Why Buys,” and rich digital storefront with OEM-backed tools and content.
Cookie Consent Management
Privacy compliance with ease. Provide your dealership with the ability to meet regulatory requirements with our automated Cookie Consent Manager.
Tariffs, EV Deals and the Hunt for Affordable Rides
New-car prices stabilize with more inventory and discounts, while used-car demand shifts to affordable, higher-mileage options. Explore the latest trends in automotive.
Gain your trading edge with Inventory Intelligence
Your trading edge is here — watch how AccuTrade’s Inventory Intelligence helps you forecast VINs, optimize pricing, and maximize profits.
It’s about time: simplified dealer websites
Are too many CTAs driving shoppers away? See how Dealer Inspire simplifies websites to improve engagement, conversions, and results.
Create tailored website experiences with DI’s personalization tech
Geofencing lets you deliver location-based, personalized messages to engage shoppers right when it matters most, driving conversions.
2024 Auto Market Year-In-Review
New-car prices stabilize with more inventory and discounts, while used-car demand shifts to affordable, higher-mileage options. Explore the latest trends in automotive.
Simplify and scale vehicle appraisals with AccuTrade
Watch how to scale your used car acquisitions with AccuTrade’s instant appraisals and diagnostics.
Sneak peek demo of AccuTrade’s Inventory Intelligence
Watch Brian Kramer’s sneak peek demo of AccuTrade’s Inventory Intelligence. This is our vision for the future of inventory management.
Sneak peek of DI’s new personalized shopping UX
Watch a sneak peek demo of Dealer Inspire’s new personalized shopping experience, which Dan Schroeder and team are debuting at NADA 2025.
Define your dealership’s digital road to the sale
Get our latest tips and technology to revitalize your average inventory age with AI-powered ads, rejuvenated messaging, and a merchandising makeover.
VRP Image Carousel simplifies the search for the perfect car
The new VRP Image Carousel enhances engagement, letting shoppers preview multiple vehicle images right from the search results.
October Auto Market Update: What’s Happening in New, Used and EV Markets
New-car prices stabilize with more inventory and discounts, while used-car demand shifts to affordable, higher-mileage options. Explore the latest trends in automotive.
Are inventory holding costs draining your profits?
Brian Kramer shows you how smart pricing and inventory management can help your dealership reduce holding costs and increase profitability.
Website infrastructure upgrade significantly accelerates site speed
Our team recently rolled out a major update to our platform infrastructure that optimizes how fast Dealer Inspire websites load.
New-Car Prices Dip Amid Supply Challenges, While Used Market Stabilizes
With the market stabilizing, new-car prices hold steady while used-car supply improves. Buyers now have more choices, including the latest 2025 models.
Ford dealers double daily website leads
Ford dealers with our website and media solutions get 97% more website leads per day.
The Marketplace Shows Balance and Signs of Stability Coming into Fall
With the market stabilizing, new-car prices hold steady while used-car supply improves. Buyers now have more choices, including the latest 2025 models.
Translation AI instantly updates website to preferred language
Our new AI website translation solution instantly and automatically translates your dealership website to the user’s preferred language.
How to edit and upload your Cars.com inventory (Updated)
With the Cars Commerce Hub you can add, edit, and remove listings to Cars.com marketplace without having to wait for your feed to refresh overnight. Here’s how to do it.
Tips and technology to prevent aging (inventory)
Get our latest tips and technology to revitalize your average inventory age with AI-powered ads, rejuvenated messaging, and a merchandising makeover.
Ed Martin Toyota turns service into sales profit
How Ed Martin Toyota started appraising and acquiring more profitable used cars from their service drive with AccuTrade.
How to staff your digital showroom with GenAI
Our GenAI Virtual Assistant is always on to provide your customers with instant assistance and a seamless buying experience. Check it out!
The AccuTrade effect at Mercedes-Benz of Paramus
Watch how Mercedes-Benz of Paramus uses AccuTrade in the service lane to acquire more cars, more efficiently.
A Tale of Two Types: New Cars Abound; Used Cars A Challenge
July paints a picture of a high-priced auto market: used car scarcity, new car abundance, and EVs stockpiles that continue to rise.
Staying ahead of search with technical SEO
How we stay ahead of Google’s algorithm updates with quality content and essential technical SEO maintenance.
Service drive acquisition deep dive with Brian Kramer
The 3rd annual Used Carspalooza wrapped on August 13th, 2024, but you catch Brian Kramer’s presentation on how to turn up your service drive acquisition on-demand.
New diagnostic scan report reveals deeper appraisal insights
Learn how AccuTrade’s upgraded OBD Scan Reporting helps your team make better informed appraisal decisions, and accurate valuations, with more detailed reports.
Simplified website trade-in experience increases leads +50%
Our simplified website trade-in experience pre-populates details to convert 50% more leads.
How to text transparent vehicle appraisals
See how to text transparent vehicle appraisals to instantly establish consumer trust with your dealership.
Industry Insights Report
Rising EV interest, easing new car supply pressures, and significant price shifts in new and used cars highlight crucial trends in the automotive industry.
Appraisal Activity Log simplifies vehicle acquisition teamwork
See how AccuTrade’s Appraisal Activity Log enhances transparency and efficiency by streamlining appraisals, improving communication, and boosting accountability.
Mullinax builds and syncs brand story across group
How the automotive group is broadcasting unique, on-brand content pages across websites.
5 Google Analytics (GA4) tips every dealer should know
Unlock strategies to grow your first-party audience by tapping into the rising EV demand, preparing your dealership for success in the cookieless era.
How to create campaign based personalizers
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to unlock the power of personalized marketing with your Dealer Inspire website.
VIN Performance Media expands to reach the right shoppers in more places
Early results from our new automotive inventory ads were very promising — so we added our AI to more key placements across Cars.com.
May deals unlocked demand; how inventory can stave off June gloom
Rising new-car sales, improving inventory, and pent-up demand suggest this just might be the summer of a sustained and stable recovery.
Cars Commerce Media Network explained
Watch how you can maximize every ad dollar on people you know are in-market — because they were just on Cars.com.
GenAI Virtual Assistant helps website visitors buy 24/7
The virtual assistant in Conversations is now powered by generative AI. This upgrade elevates small talk (basic lead capture) to more immediately helpful interactions that guide visitors to transact with your team.
#1 Ford dealer supercharges website SEO
Bill Brown Ford has been able to amplify their content to attract a significant increase in organic traffic.
Inline banners within inventory search results inspire action
Dealer Inspire customers now can add custom in-line banner messages directly into their Lightning VRPs as a no-cost feature upgrade.
It’s been a wild ride: are we finally off the roller coaster?
It’s tax return season, and with new car prices dropping as more inventory lands on dealer lots, consumer confidence and buying power grows.
Cox Chevy inspires visitors with personalization
How one dealership took their website engagement to the next level by personalizing greetings for every visitor.
How to charge your first-party audience using EVs
Unlock strategies to grow your first-party audience by tapping into the rising EV demand, preparing your dealership for success in the cookieless era.
‘Your Garage’ tracks and trades cars
The new Your Garage feature on Cars.com empowers consumers to track, forecast, and then cash-in their vehicle’s value with local dealers.
One-click prequalification reveals personalized payment offers
Shoppers can now pre-qualify for financing, shop by payment, and reveal offers on each VDP with one click at Cars.com.
Tax season turbocharges car market
It’s tax return season, and with new car prices dropping as more inventory lands on dealer lots, consumer confidence and buying power grows.
How to start online deals with trade-in offers
Discover how Dealer Inspire connects the Trade-In experience to the same road to the sale to guide customers end-to-end no matter where they start.
How to send Driveway Appraisals to scale your vehicle acquisitions
Learn how to scale your vehicle acquisitions using Driveway Appraisals, including strategic use cases for maximizing appraisal opportunities.
Cars Commerce Hub simplifies access to your solutions
Cars Commerce Hub centralizes your essential solutions and reports from Cars.com, Dealer Inspire, and AccuTrade behind a single, secure login.
Grant property level access in Google Analytics 4 to Cars.com
See how to text transparent vehicle appraisals to instantly establish consumer trust with your dealership.
VIN Performance Media puts right VINs in front of right shoppers with AI
Our new AI website translation solution instantly and automatically translates your dealership website to the user’s preferred language.
How to save your Universal Analytics data
On July 1, 2024, Google will begin the process of deleting Universal Analytics data. Here’s how you can save it before it’s gone forever.
How to inspire your next event
Watch how you can promote your dealership events with your Dealer Inspire website and 100% in-market advertising.
How to use QR codes to scale vehicle acquisitions
Learn how to scale your dealership’s acquisitions using QR codes, including strategic placement tips for maximizing appraisal opportunities.
Auto market in transition
This spring affordability is on the rise with falling new car prices, but shoppers continue to hunt for high-quality used models, while OEMs recalibrate their EV strategy.
How to make your website action-packed
Discover how Dealer Inspire connects the Trade-In experience to the same road to the sale to guide customers end-to-end no matter where they start.
Battery Insights give used EV shoppers confidence
Cars.com now gives shoppers valuable insights into battery performance on used EVs to make more confident decisions with your inventory.
Appraise your vehicle acquisition strategy
Discover how to scale your acquisitions, more profitably, to gain a competitive edge in today’s dynamic used car market.
Auto market begins to shift
The market may become more buyer-friendly with affordable new cars and increased inventory. Meanwhile, used EVs are becoming more relevant to the maturing electric market.
How to save your GA4 data beyond 14 months
Learn how to safeguard your GA4 data beyond the 14-month limit with effective strategies to export, store, and retain valuable dealership insights.
AccuTrade rescues exotic deal
Discover how the AccuTrade TradeDesk expertly helped a dealer turn an uncertain exotic appraisal into a win-win acquisition.
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