In a packed venue full of dealers, investors, and industry leaders, this year’s New York Automotive Forum, hosted by NADA, J.D. Power, and the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), explored the dramatic shifts in tech and the road ahead for auto retail. CBT News was on the ground in New York to bring you exclusive insights, including a powerful conversation with David Spisak, president & CEO of Disruptive Growth Solutions, and Brodie Cobb, founder & CEO of The Presidio Group. Together, they unpacked where the industry is headed, what dealers need from technology partners, and how AI will — and won’t — shape the future of the showroom.
Key Takeaways:
- Dealers Want Solutions, Not Noise
After years of false starts and overhyped tech promises, today’s dealers are more discerning. Spisak highlights that dealers have become more sophisticated and are no longer impressed by flashy sales pitches. What they want are real solutions that work, not just products. Dealers expect technology to deliver ROI, improve customer stickiness, and streamline operations. For that to happen, vendors must move beyond offering isolated tools and instead become trusted partners who understand the operational needs of a dealership. - Clean Data Is Critical to Effective AI.
According to Cobb, the dealership environment is well-suited for AI because of the repetitive, process-driven nature of dealership operations. But AI is only as good as the data it learns from. Poor data quality creates more problems than it solves, making it crucial for dealers to clean up their systems and prioritize data integrity. Spisak warned against the current trend of overpromising what AI can do, stating that while it can enhance workflows and boost productivity, it can’t replace human relationships or ethical decision-making. - Optimism For 2025 Remains Grounded in Reality
Looking ahead, both Cobb and Spisak expressed cautious optimism for the automotive industry in 2025. While geopolitical factors like tariffs have generated uncertainty, they believe these tensions are part of broader negotiation tactics, not long-term disruptions. With supply still tight and dealers operating with greater efficiency, profitability should remain strong.
Catch all of CBT News’ coverage of the NY Automotive Forum 2025 here.
