Tariffs Are Here—And Your Current Inventory Just Got More Valuable

How Dealerships Can Hold Gross, Cut Waste, and Win with AI-Driven Intelligence

Tariffs Just Changed the Game

The new 25% U.S. tariff on imported vehicles and parts isn’t just a policy change; it’s a profit wake-up call. If you’ve got inventory on your lot, it’s suddenly worth a whole lot more. Remember the chip shortage? Holding inventory back then turned into pure gold. Well, here we are again. The question is, are you ready to make the most of it?

Why This Matters Right Now

Here’s what you need to know:

• Vehicle acquisition costs are climbing.
• New inventory might be scarce or delayed.
• Margins are about to feel the squeeze.
• Customers are going to change their shopping behavior. Some will hold off, some will consider used, and others might switch brands entirely.

If you’re not thinking ahead, you’re handing your margin to the dealer down the street. Let’s fix that.

Your Playbook: What to Do Now

1. Lock in Your Gross—Don't Race to the Bottom

Your current inventory just became premium. That means:

• Train your sales team to quit the habit of discounting without a second thought.
• Show buyers the facts using data to prove how replacement costs are rising.
• Segment smarter. Use AI to identify which buyers aren’t overly price-sensitive and target them with your highest-grossing vehicles.

Pro Tip: QoreAI can rank your customers by their willingness to pay. Pitch premium inventory to those who care less about the price tag.

2. Dig Up Those Lost Leads

Your CRM is a goldmine of leads that didn’t convert. AI can help you:

• Identify old leads showing renewed intent.
• Match leads to the vehicles you now have in stock.
• Automate follow-ups tailored to each lead’s previous interest.

Pro Tip: Start with leads from 90–180 days ago. Rising prices might push them to act now before it gets even pricier.

3. Get Aggressive With Your Ad Spend

Tariff chaos will shake up digital marketing. Here’s how to stay in control:

• Use AI to monitor what’s working and what’s not—in real-time.
• Ditch dead-end campaigns that waste your budget.
• Double down on retargeting shoppers who’ve shown interest.

Pro Tip: QoreAI spots overspending and low-ROI channels so you can pivot fast.

4. Manage Inventory Like a Pro

Treat every unit like it’s 2021 all over again. AI helps you:

• Avoid overstocking cars that’ll get hit hardest by tariffs.
• Predict demand for specific models in your area.
• Balance your lot with used vehicles to fill in gaps.

Pro Tip: QoreAI runs affordability scenarios to pinpoint what’s within your buyers' budgets.

5. Boost F&I with Smarter Data

F&I is your margin protector. AI makes it even stronger by:

• Predicting product preferences based on buyer data.
• Pre-filling menus with personalized offers.
• Identifying pre-qualified buyers before they reach the finance desk.

Pro Tip: QoreAI matches buyers with lenders and product bundles that make sense—no more guessing.

Final Thought: Adapt or Lose

The dealerships that win aren’t the biggest or flashiest—they’re the fastest learners. AI isn’t the future; it’s the right-now solution that keeps you one step ahead.

QoreAI gives you real-time intelligence to:

• Know your customers.
• Predict market shifts.
• Cut waste and grow gross.

Tariffs are here. Smart dealers won’t panic—they’ll pivot.

Want to know where your dealership stands?

Start with a QoreAI Data Health Check. We’ll show you what’s working, what’s missing, and where you’re leaving money on the table. Visit www.qoreai.com/implementation to learn more.