Why AI is the Engine Driving the Next Wave of DealerTech M&A

AI is rewriting the dealertech M&A playbook — and acquirers aren’t waiting. The dealertech companies getting acquired today aren’t legacy platforms. They’re purpose-built AI companies.

Colonnade’s new DealerTech AI M&A Whitepaper breaks down what’s driving capital formation right now:

• Automotive AI is projected to grow nearly 5x by 2030
• Private equity is dominating — assembling vertical AI stacks legacy platforms can’t replicate
• Four capability categories are generating real dealer ROI: Voice AI, Agentic AI, Fixed Ops Intelligence, and Warranty & Claims AI

The transaction pace is accelerating. For founders and investors, positioning matters now.

Read the full whitepaper here.

What’s the most undervalued AI capability in automotive retail today?