Cars.com Unveils Innovative Solutions for Dealers to Enhance Profitability and Growth

In a recent announcement, Cars.com, a leading automotive marketplace, has revealed a suite of new technological and advertising solutions designed specifically to assist car dealers in maximizing their potential for profitability and efficient growth. This strategic launch comes just ahead of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Conference scheduled for February 4-6 in Las Vegas, where Cars.com will present its offerings at booth #3723W.

The company has reported strong marketplace traffic growth in 2025, bolstered by innovative features such as the launch of its AI search assistant, Carson™. These advancements leverage proprietary data related to consumer demand and inventory to power various new solutions tailored to the automotive market.

Innovative Solutions for Dealers
Cars.com is dedicated to enhancing the dealer experience by enabling them to utilize the latest in technology to connect with their audiences. This new platform includes:

AI-Powered Inventory Video

The introduction of an AI-powered creative suite allows dealers to expand their video advertising reach beyond standard incentive and brand promotions. With capabilities to create VIN-specific video ads that promote whole inventories, this feature is based on audience targeting informed by Cars.com’s unique data about car shoppers. As a result, dealers using this new service are seeing a twofold increase in lead conversion compared to traditional video content. Moreover, the new attribution capabilities allow dealers to track the effectiveness of their campaigns from initial ad exposure through to the sale, enabling a comprehensive view of advertising impact.

Market Area Expansion

A recent survey by Cars.com highlighted that over 80% of recent car buyers are open to purchasing vehicles outside their local market, with 53% having already done so. In response, Cars.com has unveiled a Market Area Expansion feature that helps dealers showcase their inventory beyond their immediate geographical area. This functionality enables promotions related to vehicle shipping and delivery, allowing dealers to connect with a broader customer base. Initial pilot results indicated that this feature significantly increased exposure, with 34% of dealer search results and 25% of total vehicle views coming from Market Area Expansion placements.

Integrated Wholesale Tools

To combat the challenge of used car shortages, Cars.com is enhancing its appraisal and wholesale capabilities through deeper integrations with its Cars Commerce solutions, namely AccuTrade and DealerClub. These integrations help dealers source appealing, late-model vehicles and implement effective exit strategies for their inventory. For instance, over half of the cars acquired via AccuTrade are between one and five years old, tapping into a desirable pool of late-model vehicles. The streamlined connection between DealerClub and Cars.com’s inventory ensures that dealers can promptly transfer older units to an extensive network of approved wholesale buyers, benefiting both parties involved in the transaction.

Cars Commerce Hub Reporting

Complementing these new features is the Cars Commerce Hub, which serves as a single sign-on reporting platform offering dealers vital insights into product performance across various Cars Commerce solutions. By providing enhanced reporting capabilities and additional market signals, the Hub equips dealers with crucial data necessary for informed decision-making in their operations.

Looking Ahead
The automotive industry is rapidly evolving, and Cars.com is at the forefront, equipping dealers with the tools they need to navigate these changes effectively. The company invites attendees at the NADA Conference to visit booth #3723W to explore these innovative solutions and learn more about how they can enhance their dealership's operations.

As the future of car sales becomes increasingly intertwined with technology, Cars.com continues to lead the charge, enhancing connections between dealers and consumers to drive growth and profitability. For further details on these transformative solutions, check Cars.com’s official website and stay updated on their many offerings that cater to the modern automotive market.