Solving the Inventory Puzzle with Tech and Data with Derek Hansen and Patrick Janes of vAuto

In this ASOTU CON 2025 session, Nick Askew dives into the intricate world of inventory optimization with Derek Hansen and Patrick Janes of Cox Automotive. As industry veterans and leaders at one of automotive's most data-rich organizations, they explore how AI-powered insights and digital tools are helping dealer groups solve one of their most persistent challenges: getting the right car to the right store at the right time.

The conversation reveals how Cox Auto, through solutions like vAuto, is enabling proactive—not reactive—inventory management by centralizing data across rooftops, analyzing store-specific performance trends, and using predictive models to move vehicles more strategically. From avoiding “time robbers” in vehicle transfers to eliminating internal bidding wars, Derek and Patrick explain how dealers can use technology to boost profitability, speed up turn, and better leverage group scale.

Learn about vAuto at https://www.vauto.com/

Learn about SpaceAuto at https://space.auto/

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro

1:29 AI powers smarter store-level inventory decisions

2:40 Dealers move 16,000+ cars monthly—often inefficiently

3:49 Personalizing inventory strategy to each store's customer base

5:44 Being proactive avoids aging units and lost gross

6:32 AI enables prediction over reaction in inventory management

7:17 Avoid internal bidding wars with smarter, centralized data

8:40 Use group scale to maximize turn and gross