In an industry historically rooted in legacy systems and siloed workflows, Tekion stands out as a transformative force—reshaping automotive retail with intelligent, scalable, and modern technology. Founded in 2016 by former Tesla CIO Jay Vijayan, Tekion has emerged as a pioneering SaaS powerhouse built to empower dealerships, OEMs, and partners through comprehensive cloud-native solutions.
From Legacy to Agility: The Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC)
At the heart of Tekion’s innovation lies its flagship offering—Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC). Designed from the ground up for the digital age, ARC consolidates dealership operations—sales, F&I, service, parts, CRM, accounting, analytics, and digital retail—into one seamless, device-agnostic platform.
Powered by AI, ARC enhances everyday workflows:
Sales & F&I: Real-time recommendations, remote deal-closing, e-signatures, and digital menus—all accessible across desktop, tablet, or phone.
Service Department: Consumers enjoy contactless options from scheduling to payment, enriched with AI-driven service suggestions.
Payments: Tekion Pay offers PCI-compliant payment processing, BNPL via Affirm, card surcharges, and seamless transactions.
Parts & Accounting: Cloud-based parts ordering and management, along with modern accounting tools, streamline operations across all departments.
Security & Insights: Real-time dashboards, seamless integrations, audit-ready infrastructure, and robust compliance deliver both trust and transparency.
CRM Reinvented: AI Meets Engagement
Tekion’s integrated CRM, fully part of ARC, transforms how dealerships engage leads and customers:
Lead Snapshot & Smart Communication: AI technology drafts personalized messages, automates follow-ups, and improves engagement rates—boosting contact efficiency by up to 23%.
Mobile-First Features: Scan driver licenses or VINs via mobile devices to auto-populate details—no manual entry required.
Workflow Automation & Real-Time Reporting: A drag-and-drop rules engine governs lead processing, while customizable dashboards deliver instant insights.
Data Integrity & Conversion: Automated deduplication and smart lead qualification ensure cleaner data, faster response, and higher conversions.
Autonomous Operations with Tekion AI Agents
Beyond suggestions, Tekion introduces AI Agents—automation that truly acts. The first, AI Agent for Service, orchestrates entire service workflows:
Detects repairs, generates approvals, coordinates next steps—all autonomously.
Enhances customer communication, reduces advisor workload, unlocks upsell revenue, and accelerates operations.
Streamlines workflow and trust: one service manager noted the AI “clearly explains why a repair matters in terms customers can understand.”
Interconnected Ecosystem: OEMs, Dealers, and Partners
Tekion’s innovation stretches beyond dealerships—spanning OEMs and tech partners:
Automotive Enterprise Cloud (AEC) bridges brand websites and distributors, enabling seamless consumer experiences—from vehicle customization to checkout and delivery.
Automotive Partner Cloud (APC) fosters fast integrations—letting partners like Lyft and CallRevu plug into dealer workflows effortlessly via an intuitive hub.
Leadership, Culture & Global Expansion
Tekion is driven by a culture of innovation and integrity, with leadership aligned around core values:
Core Values: “Outpace Possibility,” authenticity, accountability, customer-centricity, and One Team collaboration define the Tekion ethos.
Leadership Team: Beyond CEO Jay Vijayan, the executive team includes COO Guru Sankararaman, CTO Binu Mathew, CFO Jacob Shulman, and others building a robust global operation.
Global Footprint: Headquartered in Pleasanton, California, with tech hubs in Bengaluru and Chennai, Tekion also operates in Europe, Canada, and the UK.
Growth & Investment: Tekion achieved unicorn status in 2020 ($150M Series C) and saw valuation soar above $4B after a $200M round in mid-2024—demonstrating investor confidence and market appeal.
Market Disruption & Competitive Challenges
As Tekion challenges entrenched competitors, tensions have risen:
In December 2024, Tekion filed an antitrust lawsuit against CDK Global, alleging anti-competitive behavior and data withholding that stifles dealer freedom.
CDK struck back in early 2025 with a lawsuit accusing Tekion of orchestrating a cyber “hacking campaign” to retrieve dealer data.
These high-stakes legal battles underline Tekion’s rapid disruption and the broader struggle between legacy systems and next-gen platforms.
Why Tekion Matters
| What Tekion Does | Why It’s Game-Changing |
|---|---|
| Cloud-Native DMS (ARC) | Flexible, scalable, device-agnostic platform |
| AI-Integrated Operations | Automates workflows, upselling, and engagement |
| Autonomous AI Agents | Acts on tasks end-to-end with minimal effort |
| Unified CRM + Intelligent Lead Tools | Drives response, conversion, and data quality |
| Ecosystem Connectivity (AEC & APC) | Links OEMs, dealers, and partners in one experience |
| Values-Driven Culture & Leadership | Fueled by innovation, integrity, and customer success |
| Strong Financial Backing & Global Reach | Validates momentum and scalability |
| Strategic Challenge to Legacy | Forces industry-wide modernization |
In transforming automotive retail, Tekion is far more than a technology vendor—it’s a reinvention of how the industry operates. By unifying functions across sales, service, payments, CRM, analytics, and OEM collaboration within a secure, cloud-native platform, Tekion empowers dealerships to modernize, compete, and delight customers. Coupled with powerful AI-driven capabilities and strategic global expansion, Tekion is shaping the future of automotive retail—driving efficiency, transparency, and growth at every turn.
