Key Points:
- See how AI helps shoppers find the right car faster with smarter search and real‑time guidance.
- Get earlier, clearer signals from high‑intent buyers through conversational tools that keep shoppers moving.
- Put your inventory in front of the shoppers who are ready to act with data‑driven market expansion.
If you’re heading to NADA this year, make sure Autotrader is at the top of your show floor plan. Dealers everywhere are talking about the impact of AI on retail—and Autotrader is leading the way with tools that don’t just promise innovation but deliver measurable results. From AI‑powered search that connects shoppers to the right inventory faster to Intelligent Market Extension that puts your listings where demand is highest, Autotrader’s newest AI‑driven solutions are built to help you close more deals, reduce friction, and create a seamless experience for every shopper.
Ready to see what unified, AI‑driven retailing looks like in action? Book your demo and plan for the NADA experiences you can’t afford to miss.
1 – Smart Search aka Natural Language Search
Autotrader’s Smart Search lets shoppers use everyday phrases—like “SUV under $30K” or “AWD hybrid with third row”—to instantly surface the most relevant inventory. Instead of relying on rigid filters or dropdowns, buyers can simply type out what they want, and the AI does the heavy lifting to match intent with available vehicles. This makes discovery effortless. You could see more engaged leads and higher conversion rates, because your customers find what they want faster and with less friction.
Here’s what the data says: Natural Language Search drives 2x more VDP views and makes shoppers 52% more likely to submit a lead, turning casual browsing into real buying intent.1
See it at NADA with a pre-booked demo: Try entering your own search phrase at the demo kiosk—see how quickly the platform surfaces matching vehicles and compare the experience to standard filter-based search.
Pro question to ask: “How do intent signals from Natural Language Search help my team prioritize follow-up and personalize outreach in our CRM?”
2 – Shopping Assistant
Autotrader’s Shopping Assistant brings AI-powered guidance directly to your shoppers—right on the Search Results Page (SRP) and Vehicle Details Page (VDP). Instead of static specs and long lists, buyers get plain-language answers to their questions, instant vehicle comparisons, and personalized recommendations, all in real time. The assistant adapts to each shopper’s intent, helping them research, compare, and decide with confidence.
Here’s what the data says: Shoppers who engage with the Shopping Assistant are six times more likely to send a lead, giving your team a clearer path to high‑intent buyers.2
See it at NADA with a pre-booked demo: Open an SRP or VDP at the Autotrader kiosk and ask the assistant to compare trims, explain features, or guide you through next steps—then see how it personalizes the journey for every shopper.
Pro question to ask: “How are the assistant’s answers grounded in first-party data, and how can we customize responses to reflect our dealership’s unique value?”
3 – Roadmap: Ask Autotrader & AI Mode
Autotrader’s roadmap is all about making the shopping journey feel easier and more intuitive. Ask Autotrader gives shoppers a real‑time, chat‑based guide right on marketplace pages—so they can ask questions, compare vehicles, and get quick, helpful answers. Guided Shopping builds on that by walking shoppers through features, trims, and financing options step‑by‑step, adjusting as their preferences change.
AI Mode: A More Conversational Way to Shop
AI Mode brings these experiences to life in a simple, conversational way. New entry points on the homepage and Search Results Page—invite shoppers to ask anything from general research questions to specific shopping needs. AI Mode uses live inventory and Kelley Blue Book insights to give clear, easy‑to‑understand responses.
Shoppers can browse inventory, compare models, and narrow their options through conversation. If they want to switch back to the traditional SRP? No problem. AI Mode automatically pre‑fills the filters based on what they talked about, saving them steps and keeping the journey moving. The results are grounded in what the shopper needs to make confident buying decisions.
Why This Matters
With these results, you’re able to capture deeper intent and reduce drop-offs. And because everything is powered by Cox Automotive’s first-party data, you get clear signals about what shoppers want and where they’re at in the journey.
See What’s Coming at NADA
At NADA, you’ll get an early look at how Autotrader’s Smart Search, guided Shopping Assistant, and AI Mode work together across SRPs and VDPs. You’ll see how the experience learns from each interaction to help shoppers find the right car, faster-delivering more ready to close leads to your sales team.
Pro question to ask: “How will AI Mode pass shopper intent into our CRM, and what say do we have in how that info is used?”
4 – Intelligent Market Extension
Autotrader’s Intelligent Market Extension uses Cox Automotive’s proprietary first-party data and machine learning to automatically list your inventory in the highest-demand markets—without extra manual effort. Instead of waiting for shoppers to find your vehicles, this AI-powered tool identifies where demand is strongest and places your listings where buyers are already searching.
For dealers, this means expanded reach, faster sales, and improved visibility in competitive markets. By targeting the right shoppers in the right locations, you can create more sales opportunities and accelerate inventory turn—all while letting the data do the work.
Here’s what the data says: Dealers leveraging Intelligent Market Extension see increased visibility and engagement, connecting with buyers in high-demand areas and reducing time-to-sale.
See it at NADA with a pre-booked demo: Review a live demand map at the Autotrader kiosk, see how your inventory is automatically placed in top-performing DMAs, and compare results to traditional listing strategies.
Pro question to ask: “How often do demand signals refresh, and how can my team fine-tune market targeting to maximize results?”
Don’t Miss Your Chance. Pre-Book Your Autotrader AI Demo Now
AI isn’t a future trend—it’s already reshaping how shoppers search, compare, and move toward a deal. And at NADA, you’ll see exactly how Autotrader is putting these tools to work for your dealership. From smarter search and real‑time guidance to wider market reach and more informed handoffs to your team, every innovation is built to help you connect with shoppers earlier and convert more of them into buyers.
If you want to get the most out of your time at the show, pre‑book your demo. It’s the best way to get hands‑on with the newest experiences, ask questions specific to your goals, and walk away with clear next steps you can put in place as soon as you’re back at the dealership.
Reserve your demo at the Cox Automotive Village now—and see how Autotrader can help you turn today’s AI momentum into tomorrow’s results.
1 Source: Autotrader Core Marketplaces Analytics. November 1 – December 31, 2025.
2 Source: Autotrader Core Marketplaces Analytics. November 4 – December 15, 2025.
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