The automotive retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. Traditional dealership models are being reimagined as digital commerce and AI-driven experiences redefine how consumers shop for, purchase, and maintain vehicles. For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), dealer networks, and retail strategists, the imperative is clear: embrace digital transformation and harness the power of artificial intelligence to deliver seamless, personalized, and efficient customer journeys—both online and offline.
Automotive retail is no longer confined to the showroom floor. Today’s consumers expect to interact with brands across multiple channels—researching vehicles online, configuring options digitally, and even completing purchases without ever stepping foot in a dealership. This omnichannel expectation is driving OEMs and dealers to integrate digital platforms, unify customer data, and deliver consistent experiences at every touchpoint.
Publicis Sapient stands at the forefront of this transformation, helping automotive clients reimagine their business models and customer engagement strategies. By leveraging its SPEED capabilities—Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI—Publicis Sapient enables organizations to move beyond transactional sales and create lasting value through connected commerce, predictive maintenance, and data-driven personalization.
The rise of connected commerce is revolutionizing how automotive brands engage with customers. Integrated digital platforms now allow consumers to seamlessly transition from online research to in-person test drives, financing, and after-sales service. Publicis Sapient’s Connected Commerce solutions empower automotive brands to:
In a data-rich industry, the ability to harness and activate customer insights is a key differentiator. Publicis Sapient’s Customer Data Platform (CDP) Quickstart approach accelerates digital transformation by breaking down data silos and enabling real-time, personalized engagement. Automotive brands can:
A notable example is the alignment of dealer inventory, customer offers, and media spend for a major automotive client, which resulted in a 60% reduction in insight delivery time and a 50% reduction in hosting costs—demonstrating the tangible impact of data modernization.
AI-powered predictive maintenance is transforming the post-purchase experience for both customers and dealers. Publicis Sapient’s Connected Car solution enables car owners and fleet managers to receive proactive service recommendations, avoid unexpected breakdowns, and enhance overall vehicle safety. These solutions:
At the heart of every successful transformation is a commitment to human-centered design. Publicis Sapient’s approach ensures that AI augments—not replaces—the human element, delivering experiences that are intuitive, emotionally resonant, and memorable. This philosophy is exemplified by award-winning initiatives such as the Renault Plug Inn platform, a peer-to-peer network connecting EV drivers to a vast network of charging stations. By combining AI and experience design, Plug Inn not only solves infrastructure challenges but also creates a new ecosystem of value for drivers, hosts, and the broader mobility community.
Publicis Sapient’s global engineering leadership, with talent drawn from technology giants and deep investments in delivery hubs, ensures that solutions are robust, scalable, and future-ready. Strategic partnerships with AWS, Google Cloud, Salesforce, and others empower automotive clients to accelerate IT modernization, automate processes, and deliver personalized experiences at scale. For example, consolidating and analyzing online car shopping data from over 100 countries led to a 900% increase in test drives and improved conversion rates for an automaker—underscoring the power of data-driven transformation.
As the automotive industry accelerates toward electrification, shared mobility, and autonomous vehicles, the need for AI-driven, digitally enabled experiences will only intensify. Publicis Sapient’s proven SPEED model, industry expertise, and commitment to innovation position it as a trusted partner for organizations seeking to:
The future of automotive retail is being shaped today by those who harness the power of AI to create value for people, businesses, and society. Publicis Sapient is proud to lead this transformation, helping clients move from imagination to realization in the age of digital mobility.
Ready to transform your automotive retail experience? Connect with Publicis Sapient’s experts to start your journey toward AI-driven excellence.
Publicis Sapient is a digital business transformation company. We partner with global organizations to help them create and sustain competitive advantage in a world that is increasingly digital. Our SPEED capabilities—Strategy, Product, Experience, Engineering, and Data & AI—enable us to deliver meaningful impact through reimagining the products and experiences customers truly value.
For more information, visit publicissapient.com.