Digital Marketing in the Automotive Industry in 2025

Digital marketing has become essential for dealerships, lenders, repair shops, and other businesses in the automotive industry to build their brand, engage with consumers and businesses, and drive sales.  

For some, this means launching a robust website and leveraging digital ads to generate leads. For others, strategies like social media marketing, Google My Business optimization, and content marketing deliver the greatest results. 

While many of these tactics are already widespread, 2025 is set to bring meaningful shifts in the way the auto industry approaches marketing. Here’s a look at what opportunities lie ahead this year.

2025 Trends in Automotive Marketing

The automotive industry is rapidly evolving, and so are the strategies marketers must adopt to remain competitive. As we approach 2025, understanding and leveraging some of the top trends in auto marketing is crucial for staying ahead of the curve. From artificial intelligence (AI) to omnichannel marketing, these trends won’t just transform how you reach consumers—they’ll redefine expectations. For digital marketers, this is an opportunity to create smarter, more connected campaigns that deliver measurable results.

AI in the Auto Industry

One of those trends is the introduction of AI into automotive marketing efforts. AI can now be used in programmatic advertising to improve ad performance by optimizing ads. It’s no surprise that AI is reshaping industries across the board, and programmatic advertising is no exception. Together, AI and programmatic strategies elevate user engagement and fuel brand awareness, creating meaningful connections between customers and the brands they love. Tools like Power BI are making a big impact by analyzing consumer behavior and predicting demand, enabling dealerships and manufacturers to make data-driven decisions and plan smarter marketing efforts.

The Growth of Omnichannel Marketing

Omnichannel marketing began to be more necessary in 2024, and that’s something you can take advantage of in 2025. An automotive omnichannel customer experience creates a seamless and consistent journey for car buyers across multiple channels—both online and offline. From browsing vehicles online to visiting a dealership and scheduling test drives, omnichannel ensures a consistent, connected experience at every step. For auto marketers, this means crafting strategies that bridge digital and in-person interactions, creating a unified experience that drives engagement and builds trust with your audience.                                                                                                                        

Digital Marketing Tips for 2025

To drive growth for your auto brand in 2025, it’s essential to leverage strategic, results-focused marketing tactics. Here are a few key approaches to consider:

Using Online Video Marketing

More than 75% of auto shoppers report that online videos have directly influenced their shopping decisions, showcasing the power of video content in shaping consumer behavior and driving purchases. Additionally, for those looking to buy a car from a dealership, 64% said they’d buy a vehicle without a test drive if there were a 360-degree video. That’s a huge time-saver for sales staff. Investing in online videos now could help you drive growth without pushing your sales team into longer hours.

Leveraging TikTok’s Automotive Inventory Ads 

Adtaxi’s Auto & Social Survey highlights the growing influence of social media on the car-buying process, urging auto dealers to adopt strategic online marketing campaigns to stay competitive. Platforms like TikTok are revolutionizing how dealerships engage with buyers, particularly through its innovative Automotive Inventory Ads (AIA). By integrating seamlessly with a dealer’s product catalog, AIA simplifies the process of creating personalized advertisements that reach the right audience automatically. For dealerships and online retailers looking to elevate their marketing game, TikTok’s AIAs deliver a streamlined and results-driven solution.

Promoting Sustainability 

Today’s buyers are more concerned with sustainability and the health of the environment than ever before. As CO2 emissions grow and climate change becomes a greater concern, it’s no wonder that a third of consumers have said they’d prefer eco-friendly products. Promoting your brand’s environmentally friendly vehicles, such as hybrid or electric cars, and showing what you do to protect the environment can be helpful as you try to grow your digital footprint.

Taking a Customer-First Approach

Keeping a customer-first approach at the forefront is essential for 2025. Today’s customers demand frictionless interactions, high-quality support, straightforward solutions to common questions, and rapid response times. Leveraging AI for specific customer interactions can significantly streamline this process, ensuring a smoother, more efficient customer service experience. Prioritizing your customers’ needs isn’t just a best practice; it’s the foundation of sustained success in an increasingly competitive market.

Digital marketing is no longer optional for automotive brands—it’s a critical component of success. The automotive landscape is evolving rapidly, but leveraging cutting-edge technology can amplify your brand, foster deeper connections with consumers, boost sales, and position your business to excel in today’s competitive market. With meaningful advancements reshaping automotive marketing strategies, 2025 presents an opportunity for significant growth. By applying these key insights, you can make this year a standout success, whether your focus is driving sales online or enhancing the in-dealership experience.

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