In a time where nearly every industry has embraced digital innovation, automotive retail has lagged behind—still relying on outdated, disjointed systems that limit efficiency and customer satisfaction. Enter Tekion: a forward-thinking technology company on a mission to bring the auto industry into the modern age.
Founded in 2016 by Jay Vijayan, former CIO of Tesla, Tekion is building smarter, faster, and more connected automotive retail solutions. By combining cloud computing, AI, and automation into one seamless platform, Tekion is giving dealerships and manufacturers the tools they need to thrive in a digital-first world.
The Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC)
At the heart of Tekion’s offering is the Automotive Retail Cloud (ARC)—a unified, cloud-native platform that goes far beyond the capabilities of traditional Dealer Management Systems (DMS).
Where legacy systems are complex, fragmented, and often frustrating to use, ARC simplifies every operation into a single interface that’s intuitive, real-time, and connected across departments.
Key Features of ARC:
Sales & CRM Tools: Manage leads, follow-ups, appointments, and deal flows all from one smart dashboard, powered by AI.
Digital Retail: Enable customers to shop online—from browsing inventory to finalizing a purchase, including trade-in and financing.
Service Management: Simplify scheduling, technician workflows, and repair approvals while keeping customers informed at every step.
Inventory & Parts: Monitor stock, manage procurement, and forecast demand across all store locations in real time.
Integrated Accounting: Built-in financial tools that update instantly based on sales, payments, and expenses, removing the need for third-party accounting software.
Tekion Pay: A secure, flexible payment solution that supports traditional and digital payment options, including “Buy Now, Pay Later.”
ARC is designed to be fully mobile, so dealership staff can work just as effectively on a tablet or phone as they can at a desk.
Connecting Dealerships and OEMs
Tekion doesn’t just serve dealers—it also offers a powerful solution for manufacturers. The Automotive Enterprise Cloud (AEC) helps OEMs stay closely connected with their retail networks, improving visibility, collaboration, and customer experience.
Benefits for OEMs:
Monitor and guide the customer journey from digital interest to purchase.
Access real-time retail performance data across regions.
Align pricing, marketing, and inventory strategies with dealer operations.
Deliver brand-consistent experiences at every touchpoint.
With AEC, OEMs can make smarter decisions and work more closely with dealerships to improve both retail outcomes and customer satisfaction.
Powered by AI and Automation
What sets Tekion apart is how it embeds AI and automation into every layer of its platform. Rather than simply digitizing old processes, Tekion reimagines how they should work using intelligent systems.
AI Highlights:
Smart Lead Management: Automatically scores leads and suggests follow-ups based on behavior and activity.
AI-Generated Communications: Draft emails, replies, and notifications for faster outreach.
Predictive Service: Uses vehicle history and usage data to suggest upcoming maintenance or repairs.
Natural Language Search: Ask business questions in plain English and get accurate, data-backed answers instantly.
Tekion’s AI features reduce the manual load on staff and ensure more consistent, personalized service for customers.
A Global Presence and Rapid Growth
Tekion’s impact is already being felt across the industry. The company operates in multiple countries, with strong presence in North America, Europe, and Asia, and serves both small dealers and large OEM networks.
By the Numbers:
3M+ vehicle sales processed through ARC.
24M+ service visits scheduled and completed.
$43B+ in transactions handled via Tekion Pay.
Trusted by global OEMs like GM, Hyundai, and Stellantis.
Backed by major investors and valued at over $4 billion as of 2024.
These milestones reflect the real-world results that dealerships and manufacturers are achieving with Tekion’s platform.
Standing Up for Open Systems
Tekion is also challenging long-standing industry practices that restrict dealership freedom. In 2024, the company filed a legal case against CDK Global, citing monopolistic behavior and barriers to data access. CDK responded with counterclaims, and the case is ongoing.
This legal battle has sparked a broader conversation: Who owns dealership data, and who should control how it’s used? Tekion believes dealers should have full access to their data and the freedom to choose the technology that best serves their business.
By advocating for openness and fair competition, Tekion is pushing for meaningful change in how automotive software is managed and delivered.
What Dealers Are Saying
Tekion’s platform has won over a growing number of dealerships looking to move beyond legacy systems.
Common Praise:
Modern UI/UX: Dealership teams appreciate the clean design and ease of navigation.
Faster Workflows: Real-time syncing across departments saves time and reduces errors.
Better Customer Experience: Digital tools make it easier to connect with customers in the way they prefer—online, mobile, or in person.
Strong Support: Tekion’s team is responsive and consistently releases updates based on user feedback.
Challenges:
A learning curve is expected when switching from older platforms.
Certain modules (like parts and accounting) are still maturing in complexity.
System performance during peak hours has occasionally required optimization—but ongoing improvements are being made.
Dealers appreciate that Tekion listens, adapts, and delivers new features regularly, maintaining a high pace of innovation.
What’s Next for Tekion?
Tekion continues to expand and evolve with a clear vision for the future: to be the central platform for all automotive retail and enterprise operations.
Coming Developments:
More powerful AI assistants for operations, reporting, and communication.
Enhanced tools for analytics and forecasting across all departments.
Stronger integrations with OEM systems and third-party software.
Broader global reach, especially in Europe and emerging markets.
Continued work on open APIs and developer ecosystems for custom integrations.
As Tekion grows, it stays focused on its core mission: simplifying automotive retail through intelligent, cloud-based technology.
A Platform Built for What’s Next
Tekion represents more than a new DMS—it’s a new mindset. In an industry that has resisted change for too long, Tekion is proving that automotive retail can be smart, connected, and customer-focused.
With its intelligent platform, responsive design, and commitment to progress, Tekion is helping dealers and manufacturers move faster, operate smarter, and deliver the kind of modern experiences today’s customers expect.
