Redefining the car dealership game

Redefining the Car Dealership Game: CEO Nick’s Candid Take on AI and Customer Experience

Space Auto CEO Nick Askew recently took the hot seat on the AutoSuccess Executive Spotlight podcast to unpack how AI and a fresh mindset can reshape car sales. It’s worth a watch, but if you have the attention span of a goldfish, we went ahead and summarized his take on where the industry is headed and why everyone at every level within the dealership—from owners to sales staff—should see it as a good thing.

AI Gives Your Team Superpowers, Not Pink Slips

Forget the sci-fi fears—Nick explains why AI is actually a dealership’s secret weapon, not a job-killer. Tools like AI-driven desking help analyze credit, website activity, and lending data at warp speed, cutting hours off car deals. The real magic? Freeing up sales managers to do what they’re best at—connecting with people, not spreadsheets.

🚗 Industry Insight: The NADA highlights that streamlining sales processes with tech can reduce operational costs by 15%. Efficiency isn’t just about speed; it’s about maximizing human potential.

Customers Are Not “Leads” (Stop Treating Them Like It)

Nick’s message is crystal clear: treating buyers as mere email addresses is a dead-end strategy. Today’s shoppers are data-savvy and impatient. They’ve done their research; now they want streamlined, tailored experiences. The win? Creating a seamless handoff from online shopping to in-person buying.

🔥 Reality Check: We know that customer satisfaction plummets when the online-to-dealership handoff is clunky. The takeaway? People aren’t walking, talking dollar signs and don’t want to be communicated to as such. Lay off the pushy, sales-y gimmicks and just…sell them a car.

Play the Long Game: Profits Through Relationships

“Lifetime customer value” isn’t just buzz—it’s a wake-up call. Nick pushes dealers to think beyond the quick buck. The strategy: make slightly less on one deal if it means earning loyalty that spans multiple purchases, service visits, and referrals.

💡 Stat Attack: A great dealership experience makes customers 80% more likely to return for service and 90% more likely to buy again. Retention isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s your golden goose.

Innovate or Get Left Behind

Nick calls on dealers to stop waiting for OEMs to dictate their tech strategies. Competing with giants like Carvana means stepping up your digital game now, not later. The goal? Empower customers to dive as deep as they want into the buying process without sacrificing control.

🚀 Future-Proof Tip: 61% of buyers aged 35-44 say they would be interested in purchasing digitally. And sure, only a small percentage actually end up doing that…right now. But as we’ve covered before, that makes it so much more important to have a killer omnichannel experience. Otherwise you’re leaving money—and customers—on the table.

The Space Auto Edge

Nick’s advice aligns perfectly with Space Auto’s mission: making car shopping smoother, faster, and downright better for everyone. By leveraging AI and human-centric strategies (ahem like Space Auto ahem), dealerships can turn every customer interaction into a win-win.

Introducing Space Auto's Biggest Release Yet!
05/29/2025
From Leads to Loyalty: How Space Auto’s Latest Innovations Are Transforming the Car Buying Experience The Problem With Traditional Dealer Websites For decades, the primary goal of car dealer websites was simple: generate leads. Flashy homepage sliders, endless form fields, and limited functionality — these were the tools dealers relied on to coax a phone…
5 Smart Ways to Acquire More Used Cars Directly from Consumers
05/27/2025
Why Sourcing Quality Used Cars Is Harder Than Ever—And 5 Proven Ways Dealers Can Win Welcome to the Inventory Crisis If you’re in the business of selling used cars, you’ve likely asked yourself: Why is it so hard to find good inventory right now? You’re not alone. Dealers everywhere are feeling the squeeze. Auction prices…
Why Traffic, Conversion, and Sales Optimization Are the Holy Trinity of Dealership Growth in 2025
05/23/2025
The Hidden Leak in Your Dealership’s Sales Funnel You’re spending thousands—maybe tens of thousands—each month on digital advertising. Your ads are sharp, targeted, and driving clicks like clockwork. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: if you’re not optimizing what happens after the click, you’re leaking money. Traffic, conversion, and sales are not just buzzwords—they’re the lifeblood…
What Car Buyers Expect from Dealership Websites in 2025
05/13/2025
In 2025, car buyers expect dealership websites to function like a trustworthy, well-informed salesperson online. Modern shoppers do most of their car research digitally – spending upwards of 11 hours gathering information on models, prices, and deals before ever setting foot in a showroom. By the time they reach a dealership, they are largely prepared…
Google vs AI: Here’s What’s Actually Happening (and Why It Matters)
04/21/2025
“Google is dead!” “AI just replaced search engines!” Sound familiar? If you’ve spent any time online lately, you’ve probably heard bold statements declaring Google’s demise. But here’s a reality check: Google isn’t going anywhere. With an astounding 88% share of the search market, Google is still very much king. What’s happening isn’t a takeover—it’s an…