Carcare and 99x partner to bring AI to automotive retail

Swedish SaaS scaleup Carcare has entered a strategic partnership with tech company 99x to develop an AI-native platform for the automotive retail industry. The collaboration aims to address inefficiencies in inventory management, where currently only 5 percent of car dealers utilize AI. Carcare, which serves clients such as Volvo Car Retail, Bilia, and Din Bil, has reported reducing customer lead times by an average of 30 percent through automation.

While dealers are increasingly prioritizing AI integration, consumer sentiment remains cautious. A survey of 2,000 Swedish consumers indicates that while 41 percent would consider letting an AI assistant handle a purchase, 25 percent are opposed. Key concerns among consumers include a desire for control over the decision-making process and clarity regarding liability if an AI makes an error. Karan Katyal of Adyen noted that the primary challenge for automated shopping is building the necessary trust and secure payment infrastructure rather than the technology itself.