Due to friction created between the various technologies used by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and franchise dealers, consumers have long experienced frustration when navigating their buying and servicing journeys from an OEM website to their local dealership. And while new entrants like Tesla and other technology companies have also sought avenues to simplify the process by selling directly to consumers, recent studies show that shoppers still desire guidance from dealership experts when making decisions on purchases or repairs. 

Thanks to a new initiative from CDK, a remedy for these pain points is now available. Introduced at the J.D. Power Auto Forum during the 2024 New York International Auto Show, the new Automotive Commerce Collab from CDK uses open and universal technology and application programming interfaces (APIs) to better connect OEM and dealer software. The initiative unifies and translates consumer information, payment calculations, real-time vehicle inventory status and sales documentation from an OEM website through to a dealership’s workflow—regardless of the software dealers use to operate their businesses. Creating a cohesive consumer journey remains top of mind for dealers, as 84% recognize the increased need to focus on the customer experience according to a recent study by CDK. 

A better retail experience also empowers OEMs to have more control of their brand as consumers move fluidly among the OEM website, dealer website and in-store experience, according to their individual journeys.  

As an open and universal initiative, the Automotive Commerce Collab is compatible with any combination of OEM and dealer software platforms but delivers additional and deeper levels of  brand integration when paired at the dealer level with the CDK Dealership Xperience.