Shifting gears: The state of AI in automotive finance

The race to innovate is on. Artificial intelligence (AI) is the engine driving competitive advantage today. But hype doesn't equal progress. To win, you need a clear view of the road ahead.

We partnered with puls Marktforschung to get the real story. Our in-depth study draws on primary research insights from 21 executive interviews with senior leaders across Germany's major automotive finance institutions, dealer groups, and leasing companies, offering their perspectives on AI readiness, adoption, and organizational dynamics. Additionally, it incorporates insights from the Car Buyer Monitor 2025, a monthly survey of 1,000 car buyers.

The findings are clear: while the appetite for AI is strong, many organizations are stuck in the experimental phase, held back by legacy systems, regulatory uncertainty, and a lack of formal strategy.

This report cuts through the noise to give you a pragmatic roadmap for action.

What you'll discover inside:

• The current state of play: See where banks and dealers are focusing their AI efforts, from risk control and fraud detection to the untapped potential in customer-facing applications

• Barriers to adoption: Understand the key impediments slowing down AI implementation and how to navigate them

• Customer and dealer perspectives: Gain valuable insights into what customers trust and what dealers actually want from their financial partners

• The future outlook: Explore critical shifts that will define the next decade, moving the industry from AI-enabled processes to truly AI-native business models