The complexity of managing dealership operations has prompted technology provider Keyloop to introduce its fully Fusion Automotive Retail Platform (ARP), which optimises the entire vehicle sales process—from consumer enquiry through to ownership and retention.

On September 23 in Montreal, Keyloop, a global leader in automotive technology, announced the launch of its new ARP at the Fusion Live event, inviting Canadian dealers to see first-hand how these new solutions can directly improve efficiency and profitability.

This new ARP is designed to help Canadian dealers manage and optimize their entire business process, from the first online inquiry to customer retention after the sale. The integrated platform is built around four domains: Demand, Supply, Ownership and Operate, covering all essential functions within a dealership.

Notably, the Keyloop Serti dealer management system (DMS), long recognized as an industry benchmark, now sits at the core of the Operate domain. All Fusion domains are powered by the Active Data Core (ADC), a database that consolidates every customer interaction and transaction into a single, comprehensive record accessible across all departments.

Harnessing artificial Intelligence

Fusion has been designed to  collate all the data generated from customer interactions, combine it with dynamic inventory and service department management, and build tailored business relationships that foster loyalty.
The platform offers a complete picture for dealership managers, enabling fast, strategic decision-making supported by artificial intelligence.

Cloud-based, Fusion can be implemented quickly and securely across organizations of all sizes, including large dealer groups operating multi-brand networks. For smaller retailers, the benefits of removing barriers between departments are even greater.

With its “Experience-First” technology, Fusion places the customer at the centre of every activity. It helps retailers deliver personalized, positive experiences while increasing revenue throughout the purchase and ownership cycle. It also automates key processes to reduce costs and improve responsiveness.

Dealers can select modules from Fusion’s four domains that best meet their needs or choose to implement the full platform.

In-depth demonstrations

During the event, alongside presentations on Fusion’s overall objectives and capabilities, participating dealers had the opportunity to dive deeper into each of the four domains through dedicated demonstrations led by product experts.

• Demand: Helps dealers boost transaction profitability with communication and e-commerce tools, an omnichannel sales platform and smart loyalty initiatives. Key components include Acquisition Hub (a solution enabling a seamless omnichannel journey) and Sales Hub (a new AI-powered CRM and sales management system).
• Supply: Enables dealers, OEMs and fleet providers to maximize margins on each vehicle through proactive inventory management. Supply products are currently used by more than 1,200 dealers worldwide and by 90% of the top 10 vehicle leasing companies in the UK.
• Ownership: A set of tools focused on after-sales and service department management, boosting efficiency and customer satisfaction. Helps dealers make the most of their shop capacity and increase revenue per visit.
• Operate: With the advanced Keyloop Serti DMS at its core, this module supports maximum operational efficiency and faster, better-informed business decisions.

A gradual rollout

In an interview with Autosphere, Tim Smith, Keyloop’s Chief Strategy Officer, explained that the four domains of Fusion will be phased in gradually starting this quarter. The Demand module is already available, since it addresses an urgent dealer need for a smooth online sales tool that combines personalized digital engagement with dynamic inventory management.

“Consumers want a simplified shopping and buying experience,” Smith explained. “On the dealer side, the goal is to turn as many inquiries as possible into confirmed sales. On top of that, the retailer wants to understand and anticipate customer needs in order to maximize every transaction. With the launch of the Ownership domain early next year, Fusion’s integrated approach will also provide complete, intelligent customer support after the sale.”

This focus on simplicity, transparency and open information sharing was echoed by a Keyloop panel that included dealers, OEMs, service providers and a market analysis firm. They highlighted the current volatility of the market, the explosion of data, and the need for tools that enable effective management. They also emphasized that the Canadian automotive sector is a complex ecosystem, where communication channels between OEMs, dealers, partners and the end customer must be streamlined and strengthened.

A simplified approach

Sebastiaan Roovers, Vice President of Sales for the Americas, stressed the same message during his presentation. “Today’s automotive ecosystem demands a more flexible, scalable and integrated approach. Fusion represents a clear and compelling proposition, designed to deliver value to our customers. It is built on a connected, data-driven approach that builds trust, drives revenue growth and fosters long-term loyalty.”

For Keyloop representatives, there is no doubt that Fusion’s four domains will meet the practical needs of Canadian dealers and their customers. Implementation of the platform and its four domains will first take place among dealers already working with Keyloop solutions.

“We are currently working with a select group of early adopters to ensure a seamless integration of the Fusion suite across the Canadian market,” explained Tim Smith. “Our go-to-market strategy is focused on success. We want dealers to see the tangible benefits of our integrated approach. Our top priority remains simplifying the vehicle purchase and ownership journey while staying true to our Experience-First principles. Fusion is more than just a technology solution. It is an approach that redefines our industry and creates value for all stakeholders.”

The event ended with an open Q&A session, where the leadership team engaged with participants in a candid and approachable format. What became clear from the Fusion Live event in Montreal is that significant parts of the integrated Fusion platform are already being successfully used by Canadian dealers. The deployment of complementary domains will extend naturally into their operations. Keyloop’s leadership also made it clear that their solutions are tailored to dealer needs, and that their global development resources will allow them to continuously enhance their products, particularly with the integration of automation and AI-powered analytics.