# Data-Driven Automotive Retailer Tools Cars.com Debuts AI Video Tools, Hub Reporting & More By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-01-29 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automotive-retailer References: [streetinsider](https://www.streetinsider.com/Corporate+News/Cars.com+launches+AI+video+tools+and+dealer+solutions/25912230.html) & [investorrs](https://investor.cars.com/2025-11-06-Meet-Carson-TM-Cars-coms-New-AI-Engine-for-Car-Shopping)  Cars.com is introducing a suite of updated technological and advertising tools for automotive retailers. The aim of this venture is to enhance operational efficiency and profitability through data-driven methods. Cars.com portfolio of solutions for automotive retailers includes an artificial intelligence system capable of generating unique video advertisements for individual vehicle identification numbers (VINs), a platform extension that allows dealers to market their inventory to geographically distant customers by advertising shipping services, integrated software for appraising and wholesaling aged stock through affiliated networks, and a [unified dashboard for analyzing performance metrics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amazon-canvas) across all these services. The AI video tool, in particular, addresses the significant time and resource cost of manually creating marketing content for each car on a lot, promising to automate this at scale while using the platform's proprietary shopping data to target the videos to consumers actively searching for similar vehicles. These announcements follow Cars.com's "strong marketplace traffic growth in 2025" and its AI search assistant, named Carson™. Image Credit: Cars.com ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 37% | Activity: 37% | Freshness: 63% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **AI-powered Video Advertising:** Artificial intelligence generates customized video advertisements at scale, reducing manual effort and targeting consumers based on proprietary shopping data. - **Remote Inventory Marketing:** Dealers can now market their inventory to customers located far from their geographical area, expanding potential buyer reach through innovative shipping service advertising. - **Unified Performance Analytics:** A comprehensive dashboard integrates multiple services, allowing automotive retailers to analyze performance metrics efficiently to identify growth and optimization opportunities. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Automotive Retail Technology:** The introduction of AI-driven tools and unified platforms is revolutionizing the way automotive retailers manage marketing and inventory. - **Advertising Technology:** Innovative AI solutions are transforming traditional advertising methods by enabling automated, targeted marketing content for vehicles. - **Logistics and Distribution:** By offering shipping services within their marketing framework, automotive retailers are pioneering new approaches in reaching distant markets. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Powered Advertiser Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/universal-campaigns.md) - [Auto-Focused AI Marketing Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dealer-creative-ai.md) - [Ai-Powered Sales Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-sales-platform.md) - [Automotive AI Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/automotive-ai-certification-program.md) - [Computer Vision Car Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/audi-reader.md) - [AI-Powered Vehicle Appraisal Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/turnvision.md) - [Business Automation Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cartai.md) - [Car Recognition Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/carsnap.md) - [AI Video Engagement](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/videco.md)