The Death of Automotive SaaS: How AI is Taking Over

Qore Conversations

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a concept to prepare for — it’s here, and it’s actively transforming every layer of automotive retail. In this episode, Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI, breaks down how AI is rapidly replacing traditional SaaS systems by automating entire workflows that used to require human oversight.

From outdated CRMs to fragmented marketing tools, the legacy tech stack inside dealerships is being rendered obsolete by intelligent agents that can interpret data, make decisions, and execute tasks in real time. Todd explains how most dealers are still in the early stages of AI adoption — stuck at level zero — while the technology has already moved into stages where agents handle lead responses, prioritize workflows, and eliminate inefficiencies with precision.

He outlines why marketing and lead management are the first areas being disrupted, how AI can outperform BDCs with 24/7 consistency, and why clean, structured data is the foundational asset for any dealership aiming to stay competitive. He also speaks directly to vendors, urging them to confront the hard truth: adapt quickly, or risk becoming irrelevant.

Key Highlights:

• Why traditional SaaS tools in automotive are being hollowed out by AI
• The role of AI agents in replacing repetitive dealership workflows
• How lead response and BDC processes are the first to be disrupted
• Why most dealerships are still at “level zero” in AI adoption
• The crucial importance of clean, structured, and owned data
• How AI enables real-time decision-making without dashboards or reports
• The financial advantage of AI agents vs. high-turnover human roles
• Why marketing tools are the first SaaS category being overtaken by AI
• What vendors must do to survive in this rapidly evolving landscape
• Why dealerships must stop evaluating AI like traditional software
• How to begin building an AI-first operation today — and why timing matters
• What dealers can do now to prepare their infrastructure for the next 24 months

This is not just a tech upgrade — it’s a complete re-architecture of how automotive retail operates. Whether you're a dealer or a vendor, this episode delivers essential insights on what’s next, what’s working, and what needs to change immediately.

For more information about QoreAI, visit our website: www.qoreai.com.

Follow Us:

www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/

www.Facebook.com/Qoreai

www.x.com/qoreai
Podcast Directed and Produced by Hired Guns Agency: https://www.hiredgunsagency.com

Chapters

1. Introducing AI's Impact on Automotive SaaS (00:00:00)

2. SaaS Vulnerability: UI Erosion by AI (00:04:20)

3. Transforming Dealership Operations with AI (00:10:44)

4. AI Agents: Automating Monotonous Workflows (00:14:27)

5. The Bundling Revolution in Software (00:23:20)

6. Preparing Dealerships for the AI Future (00:27:45)