| Hello Jim, At the end of July, Dealer Software Success sat down with Chris Keene, Chief Revenue Officer at Lotpop Inc, for a conversation covering three decades on the used car side of the business, how "automotive intelligence" and AI work together at Lotpop, and where software is headed over the next five years. More Systems, Less Selling
Keene started as a retail salesperson at a Ford store and worked his way up to General Manager before moving to the provider side of the industry. Asked what's changed most, he points to the sheer number of software systems a dealer now needs just to close a deal — even a simple cash deal. The tools meet buyers wherever they want to transact, but the overlap between systems has created a time burden that crowds out basic selling fundamentals.
Automotive Intelligence, Not Just Artificial
Lotpop's LotWalk platform is built around a human Performance Engineer, not just a dashboard. Keene is direct that data alone isn't worth much without someone to apply it. The phrase "automotive intelligence" — used deliberately alongside artificial intelligence — reflects that the two work together, with AI handling recaps and admin so people can stay focused on the human consulting core of the business.
Where This Goes From Here
Keene's five-year read: the tools keep consolidating, and dealers can expect real integration instead of a dozen open tabs to close one deal. New car stays part of that picture too — inventory health, margin, holding cost, and floor plan expense stay front of mind as the industry leans further into used. | 
