Two renowned automotive retail platforms have integrated ChatGPT into their arsenal of tools

CarGurus and Edmunds recently unveiled new plugins that enable users to leverage the artificial intelligence capabilities of OpenAI’s popular chatbot. These additions aim to enhance the user experience by simplifying the process of finding relevant information and locating vehicles that align with their specific requirements.

CarGurus’ chief technology officer, Matt Quinn, expressed in a news release:

“The experience of shopping for a car can evoke both excitement and uncertainty, particularly for those who are undecided about the make or model they desire to purchase. With the CarGurus ChatGPT plugin, users are presented with an alternative approach to navigate our extensive vehicle information, empowering shoppers to customize their search journey beyond predefined criteria. This allows them to uncover an ideal match that may not have initially caught their attention.”

CarGurus announced that its plugin empowers shoppers to navigate vehicle options according to their preferences, free from the constraints of predefined search fields. Users can engage in broad and conversational prompts such as “Find me a fuel-efficient car under $25,000” or more specific requests like “Show me SUVs near Boston with less than 20,000 miles.” The plugin will then retrieve the most relevant car listings available on CarGurus, tailored to the user’s specified criteria.

Once the top recommendations are presented, shoppers have the option to assess the vehicle specifics by clicking through to the CarGurus platform.

Through the Edmunds plugin, users can access the latest vehicle reviews, ratings, and a vast selection of local new and used vehicle listings directly within the ChatGPT conversations. This integration provides convenient access to Edmunds’ extensive database, enhancing the user experience by offering comprehensive information and options within the chat interface.

During a conversation, if a user poses a question that could benefit from information available through Edmunds, ChatGPT will seamlessly utilize the plugin. By leveraging real-time data from Edmunds, the chatbot can provide more comprehensive and precise answers, ensuring a more informed and satisfactory response for the user.

Edmunds highlighted that its reviews for the present model year serve as a valuable addition to ChatGPT’s knowledge base, which is currently limited to data up until 2021. By incorporating Edmunds’ expertise, the chatbot can bridge this information gap and provide users with up-to-date insights. Nick Gorton, the Chief Innovation Officer at Edmunds, expressed enthusiasm about the development of this advanced technology, stating in a separate release:

“As an industry leader in prioritizing the needs of car shoppers, Edmunds is excited to introduce yet another cutting-edge technology that offers guidance and valuable insights to shoppers, regardless of where they choose to embark on their car buying journey.”

“With Edmunds’ plugin for ChatGPT, shoppers now have unprecedented access to our reliable vehicle reviews and local inventory listings from our trusted dealer partners. This integration offers a unique opportunity for car shoppers, allowing them to explore our comprehensive resources in a manner that was previously unavailable. This is especially advantageous given the current circumstances, as vehicle inventory is gradually rebounding after a prolonged period of shortages.”

According to Stephen Felisan, the Chief Technology Officer of Edmunds, the ChatGPT plugin is just the beginning of a series of innovative features that Edmunds is actively developing, utilizing generative AI technology. These forthcoming additions aim to streamline the car shopping experience, offering enhanced convenience and efficiency to users.

CarGurus emphasized that it has been leveraging machine learning algorithms for an extended period, highlighting that artificial intelligence forms the foundation of various features on the platform. These include the vehicle recommendation engine, the Instant Market Value tool, and on-site merchandising, all of which work cohesively to deliver a personalized and tailored experience for users.

Both companies expressed their commitment to continuously assessing and enhancing the functionality of their respective plugins, with the goal of further improving and refining the overall user experience. They will remain dedicated to incorporating user feedback and implementing advancements to ensure that the plugins evolve to meet the evolving needs of their users.