In the rapidly evolving automotive industry, dealers and manufacturers are facing immense pressure to modernize and adapt to changing customer expectations. Legacy dealership management systems (DMS) often fall short in meeting today’s digital and operational demands. That’s where Tekion steps in — a cloud-native software company transforming automotive retail by delivering a unified, AI-driven platform that revolutionizes how dealerships operate and engage with customers.
Founded in 2016 by former Tesla CIO Jay Vijayan, Tekion has quickly established itself as a leader in automotive retail technology. Its flagship platform, the Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC), combines the power of cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and mobility to provide a seamless end-to-end experience for dealers, OEMs, and consumers alike.
What is Tekion?
Tekion is not just another DMS provider — it is a fundamentally different approach to automotive retail technology. Instead of relying on decades-old legacy systems, Tekion built ARC from the ground up as a cloud-native, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed specifically for the demands of modern dealerships.
Tekion’s platform unifies all aspects of dealership operations — from sales, service, parts, and CRM to accounting and digital retail — in one integrated system accessible on any device, anywhere, anytime.
By leveraging the latest in AI and cloud technologies, Tekion helps dealerships reduce inefficiencies, improve customer engagement, and accelerate growth, all while lowering costs.
The Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC): Tekion’s Game-Changing Platform
At the heart of Tekion’s innovation lies the Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC), a comprehensive platform engineered for the future of automotive retail.
Unified Operations for a Seamless Customer Experience
ARC integrates disparate dealership functions into a single system, breaking down the traditional silos between sales, service, parts, and finance. This real-time data sharing enables every department to work from a consistent set of customer and vehicle information, significantly enhancing communication and accuracy.
For example, service advisors can see sales data and financing details, while sales teams have visibility into service histories — all fostering personalized and frictionless customer interactions.
End-to-End Digital Retail Capabilities
One of Tekion’s standout features is its robust digital retail solution, enabling customers to browse inventory, configure vehicles, apply for financing, and complete much of the purchase process online. This capability, branded as Virtual-to-Visit™, bridges the gap between digital shopping and in-store experience, meeting today’s consumer expectations for convenience and transparency.
AI-Powered Automation and Intelligence
Tekion leverages artificial intelligence at multiple touchpoints to automate routine tasks and empower staff with actionable insights. AI agents automate processes such as follow-ups on sales leads, parts ordering, and service repair recommendations, enhancing efficiency and reducing human error.
Notably, Tekion’s AI Agents independently manage service workflows by identifying necessary repairs, coordinating customer approvals, and updating all stakeholders in real time — dramatically improving service department productivity.
Mobile-First Experience
Recognizing the importance of mobility, Tekion designed ARC to be fully mobile-friendly. Whether on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, dealership staff can access all critical functions on the go. This flexibility accelerates decision-making and improves responsiveness on the showroom floor and in the service bay.
Real-Time Analytics and Natural Language Reporting
With Tekion’s real-time analytics dashboards and natural language processing capabilities, managers can query the system in plain English to generate detailed reports instantly. This empowers dealers with quick, data-driven insights to optimize sales, service, and inventory management.
Open Ecosystem and Integrations
Tekion supports a broad ecosystem through its Automotive Partner Cloud (APC) APIs, allowing seamless integration with OEMs and third-party solutions. This extensibility lets dealerships customize their technology stack and access complementary tools as their needs evolve.
Industry Impact and Adoption
Tekion’s innovative approach has won the trust of many major automotive brands and dealer groups worldwide. OEMs such as Toyota, Ford, GM, Hyundai, and Porsche have partnered with Tekion to modernize retail operations and enhance the customer experience.
Dealerships adopting Tekion report substantial benefits, including:
Increased operational efficiency by reducing manual work and streamlining workflows.
Higher revenue from improved lead management, upselling, and faster vehicle turnover.
Improved customer satisfaction through transparent communications and quicker service.
Cost savings from reduced infrastructure and software maintenance expenses thanks to the cloud model.
Moreover, Tekion’s cloud platform ensures dealerships always have access to the latest features and security updates without costly, disruptive upgrades.
Challenges and Continuous Improvements
While Tekion is praised for its modern architecture and powerful AI features, users sometimes highlight challenges such as occasional system speed issues during peak times and the complexities involved in transitioning from legacy DMS platforms.
Tekion is committed to continuous improvement, investing heavily in platform stability, user experience enhancements, and robust customer support. Its close collaboration with dealer partners drives rapid resolution of any pain points.
The Future of Tekion
Tekion’s roadmap is ambitious. The company aims to expand AI-driven automation into additional dealership functions, including accounting and inventory management, further reducing manual workload. Enhanced AI Agents will increasingly handle routine tasks autonomously, allowing dealership staff to focus on customer relationships and strategic initiatives.
Globally, Tekion is expanding its footprint, partnering with more OEMs, and growing its engineering teams to deliver faster innovation and support.
As the automotive retail landscape continues shifting towards digital-first experiences, Tekion is uniquely positioned to lead the industry’s transformation by providing a platform that is scalable, intelligent, and deeply customer-centric.
Why Tekion Matters
Modern technology foundation: Tekion’s cloud-native SaaS architecture provides agility and resilience that legacy systems cannot match.
Customer-first design: By integrating sales, service, and digital retail, Tekion enables a seamless buying and ownership experience.
AI-driven insights and automation: Tekion’s AI capabilities unlock operational efficiencies and revenue growth.
Mobile accessibility: Staff can deliver superior service from anywhere, improving responsiveness.
Ecosystem flexibility: Open APIs allow dealers to tailor their technology solutions for unique needs.
For dealerships and manufacturers seeking to future-proof their business and delight customers in a digital age, Tekion offers a compelling, innovative solution.
The automotive retail industry is undergoing unprecedented change, fueled by digital transformation and evolving consumer expectations. Tekion’s cloud-native Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC) platform is a breakthrough innovation that unifies dealership operations, powers AI-driven automation, and supports seamless digital retail experiences.
With proven results across global OEMs and dealer groups, Tekion stands at the forefront of automotive retail technology, helping dealers and manufacturers operate more efficiently, engage customers more effectively, and accelerate growth.
As dealerships embrace the future of automotive retail, Tekion’s platform is a critical enabler — combining cutting-edge technology, deep industry expertise, and a customer-centric vision to redefine what’s possible in the automotive retail space.
