How AI is revolutionizing auto dealership financing in 2025

Artificial intelligence is changing how we shop for everything, and that now includes auto loans. In 2023, Bankrate covered how AI helps car buyers compare prices and prequalify for financing online. But in 2025, the biggest AI breakthroughs are happening at the dealership level. Lenders and dealers are using AI to speed up approvals, prevent fraud and close deals faster — all while improving the buyer experience. 

That ‘friction’ — from information overload to lengthy paperwork — is where AI is stepping in. From smarter loan matching tools to AI-powered chatbots, the car financing process is becoming faster, easier and more personalized. Here’s how AI is reshaping dealership financing in 2025 and what it means for borrowers.

AI is helping dealers close more deals

AI is transforming the behind-the-scenes process of auto financing. In 2025, tools like Upstart’s Showroom platform are modernizing how dealers structure loans, which is often referred to as “desking” deals. 

These innovations cut the time it takes to secure financing from hours to minutes — reducing customer drop-off and increasing deal volumes for dealers. As a buyer, this means you’ll be spending less time in the financing office. If you start shopping with preapproval from a lender, you may be able to quickly compare your options and drive off with a loan that fits your needs and budget without waiting for a lengthy underwriting process. 

The AI vs. traditional auto loan process

AI reduces friction between lenders and dealers

AI isn’t just making life easier for dealerships. It’s also helping lenders improve underwriting efficiency and reduce risk. When a borrower’s data is verified and preprocessed by an AI system, lenders receive cleaner applications with fewer errors or missing fields. 

This can result in faster underwriting decisions, higher loan approval rates and more accurate pricing based on nuanced risk profiles. As a result, both dealers and lenders benefit from fewer delays, better-qualified customers and faster funding. 

What this means for car buyers

AI is reshaping how dealerships and lenders work behind the scenes — but it also affects you as a buyer. With faster approvals, smarter matching and fewer manual steps, you can expect a more efficient and transparent financing process as the technology continues to develop.

Here’s how AI-driven financing might benefit you.

• Quicker loan decisions: Some systems offer near-instant approvals. This level of speed isn’t uncommon — many lenders already automate their underwriting process — but it can make loan comparison that much more seamless.
• Better loan matches: AI tools analyze more variables to connect you with the best lender for your finances and budget.
• Improved accuracy: Income, identity and employment checks are done automatically, which may increase accuracy and reduce clerical errors.
• Smarter comparisons: Some platforms allow you to view customized offers from multiple lenders without filling out applications.
• Seamless process: Start online, finish at the dealership — or vice versa. The gap between the online and in-person experience is closing, allowing you to finance your vehicle in the way that best fits your needs.

Bridging the online and in-person experience

AI is also closing the loop between online car browsing and in-person visits. Consumers can start their journey at home — browsing inventory, chatting with an AI agent or even getting prequalified — and then transition to the dealership already prepared.

This “clicks-to-bricks” approach helps:

• Buyers enjoy shorter visits, fewer surprises and more transparency.
• Dealers benefit from prequalified leads and better customer satisfaction.

Still, Yajnik cautions that even as AI becomes more advanced, some parts of the car-buying experience can’t be digitized. “I don’t believe customers are ever going to buy their home or their car online… even if you tell them, ‘you can buy a home and if you don’t like it in seven days, you can return it.’ I don’t think anyone is going there.”

That’s because buying a car is more than a transaction — it’s an emotional milestone. As Yajnik explains: “It’s an emotional purchase. When you have an emotional purchase, you need an emoting person at the other end, not just a person who’s answering every one of your questions.”

AI-powered chatbots are changing the customer experience

On the customer-facing side, AI tools are making dealership websites more interactive and informative. With average car loan interest rates remaining high and lenders continuing to have low risk tolerance, these tools may help you feel more informed and empowered before you walk into a dealership. 

Capital One’s Chat Concierge, launched in early 2025, is one example of how generative AI is being embedded directly into the buying experience. This intelligent assistant can answer questions about specific vehicles in inventory, including recommending models based on buyer preferences and comparing trims, features and financing offers.

An all-in-one experience offered by some AI tools makes the complex task of buying a car that much simpler, but Yajnik emphasizes that AI should enhance — not replace — the human element. 

Which dealerships are using AI?

According to one Portland-based car sales agent, AI at his location is currently limited to answering customer inquiries, not powering financing or operations. Although the technology exists, widespread implementation may take some time.

Status of AI implementation for 2025

A growing number of dealerships plan to invest in AI to boost efficiency, streamline operations and increase revenue. According to the Fullpath AI Sentiment Report, which surveyed 200 senior decision makers at dealerships in 2024:

• 95 percent of dealers believe AI technology will be crucial to success moving forward.
• 80 percent of dealers respond that they are either already using AI, currently deploying AI or planning to deploy AI in 2025.
• Over eight in 10 dealerships (81%) expect an increase in their AI budgets in 2025 compared to 2024.

Dealerships that have already implemented AI initiatives are beginning to see clear benefits. 100 percent of the dealerships using AI experienced an increase in revenue, while no dealership using AI reported a decrease in revenue.

Bottom line

AI is no longer just a digital shopping assistant — it’s the engine behind a more modern, efficient and customer-first financing experience at dealerships. As platforms like Upstart Showroom and Chat Concierge continue to evolve, expect more speed, personalization and ease when it comes to securing your next auto loan.