Dealer Studio

What Dealer Studio does

Dealer Studio (legal entity Total Dealer Pty Ltd) is an Australian vertical SaaS company that provides an end-to-end eCommerce platform purpose-built for automotive dealerships, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Queensland. Its core offering centers on React/Next.js-powered automotive websites and a Lead Management System (LMS), sold alongside modular add-ons including test drive management, inventory aggregation, CMS, an AI chatbot (Autobot), reputation management, trade-in valuations, dealer analytics, an email editor, and vehicle PDFs. The platform integrates with Australian automotive data providers (Redbook, Carsales, Autogate, Drive, Autotrader) and major marketing platforms (Google Analytics 4, Google Ads, Meta, Facebook Pixel), and runs cloud media delivery via Cloudinary with native iOS and Android apps.

The company generates revenue primarily through recurring SaaS subscriptions for its core suite, with annual price reviews indexed to Australian CPI, supplemented by digital marketing services (Meta and Google Ads management, creative design) and modular per-plugin add-ons such as the $10/month Number Plate Blur tool. Its go-to-market is sales-led and enterprise-oriented, targeting major Australian dealership groups (Cricks, Bartons, Frizelle Sunshine, Motorama, John Hughes) via direct consultative selling, with a documented footprint of 650+ dealer websites and 2,000+ digital marketing campaigns managed. Operationally, Dealer Studio runs a 44+ person team split across software development, digital and project delivery, sales and account management, and support, suggesting an established but still-scaling vertical SaaS with no disclosed external funding.

Name

Dealer Studio

Legal name

Total Dealer Pty Ltd

Website

https://dealerstudio.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Dealer Studio is an Australian vertical SaaS company that provides automotive dealerships with React/Next.js websites, a lead management system, and modular add-ons including AI chatbot, test drive management, inventory aggregation, and digital marketing services, serving 650+ dealers across Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Dealership Software

NAICS

Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers (4251), Other Motor Vehicle Dealers (4412)

SIC

Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013)

akta.pro primary industry

Vendor & Contract Management (Software/Cloud) (BPAEAOAD)

Keywords

• Automotive dealer software
• Dealership website platforms
• Automotive lead management
• Vehicle inventory aggregation
• Automotive digital marketing

Headquarters

HQ city

Gold Coast

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Subscription (SaaS): Dealer Studio operates as a SaaS platform providing automotive dealership eCommerce solutions. Based on terms and conditions, customers pay recurring charges for access to the Software and Services during the Term. Pricing appears subscription-based with annual price reviews aligned to CPI.
2. Digital Marketing Services: Dealer Studio offers comprehensive digital marketing services including targeted advertising campaigns across Meta and Google Ads platforms, creative design services (display ads, social media, billboards), and full-service marketing support as an add-on to core software subscriptions.
3. Plugin Add-ons: Additional plugins and add-on features are available for purchase. Example: Number Plate Blur plugin priced at $10 per month, demonstrating a modular pricing approach where dealers pay extra for specific enhanced features.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Dealer Studio provides an end-to-end SaaS platform purpose-built for automotive dealerships in Australia. The suite combines high-performance React/Next.js websites, a Lead Management System (LMS), test drive workflow, inventory aggregation across third-party automotive platforms (Carsales, Drive, Autotrader, Autogate), an AI chatbot (Autobot), CMS, reputation management, trade-in valuation, dealer analytics, email editor, vehicle PDFs, and optional digital marketing services. The platform is operated by Total Dealer Pty Ltd and manages 650+ Australian dealership websites.

Product overview

Dealer Studio is an end-to-end automotive eCommerce platform provided as a unified suite of integrated modules. The core platform consists of Automotive Websites (built on React/Next.js for market-leading performance) and the Lead Management System (LMS) for tracking leads across channels. Additional add-on modules include: Test Drives (booking and tracking), Aggregation (inventory feed management with AI Dealer Comments and AI Background Remover), CMS (content management), Autobot (AI chatbot), Reputation Management, Trade-In Offers, Dealer Analytics, Email Editor, and Vehicle PDFs. The suite also includes Digital Marketing services. All modules integrate with Google services (Analytics, Ads, My Business), Meta platforms, and third-party automotive platforms (Carsales, Autogate, Drive, Autotrader). Recent additions include AI-powered features such as Automatic Number Plate Blur, Background Blur, AI-generated phone call summaries, and AI SMS Bots.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Automotive Websites Core website platform providing the automotive industry's fastest front-end websites built on React and Next.js, with eCommerce-inspired layout, mobile-first responsive design, and high conversion rates. Sold to automotive dealerships across Australia.
• Lead Management System (LMS)

Quantifiable outcome

• 109% increase in Website Leads, 125% increase in Website Sessions, 197% increase in Website Service Bookings
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration14 records

AI capability14 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Google (Analytics 4, My Business, Ads)coreTechnology or IntegrationDealer Studio integrates with Google services including Google Analytics 4 for website metrics and reporting, Google My Business for review management and business insights, and Google Ads for advertising performance analytics. These integrations enable dealers to view analytics data, manage reviews, and track advertising performance within the Dealer Studio dashboard.
• Meta (Facebook)coreTechnology or IntegrationDealer Studio integrates with Meta platforms (Facebook) for functionalities including login, analytics, and Facebook Pixel tracking. Autobot specifically integrates with Facebook Pixel for clearer campaign performance tracking. The platform complies with Meta Platform Terms for data handling.
• OpenAIcoreTechnology or IntegrationDealer Studio's AI Dealer Comments feature integrates with OpenAI to generate detailed, consistent, and informative vehicle descriptions. The integration leverages AI technology combined with automotive-specific data and best practices.
• Redbook DatacoreTechnology or IntegrationRedbook Data integration is used in conjunction with OpenAI and Carsales best practices for generating AI-powered dealer comments. Redbook provides automotive valuation and specification data.
• CarsalescoreTechnology or IntegrationCarsales is integrated for inventory aggregation and synchronization. When a lead is marked as converted in the LMS, the vehicle is automatically withdrawn from Carsales. Dealer Studio leverages Carsales best practices for AI-generated dealer comments and maintains real-time data feeds with the platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Dealer.com: Cox Automotive-owned provider of dealer websites, digital marketing, and CRM platforms for automotive retailers in North America. Largest incumbent globally in dealer website technology; comparable product surface area but at vastly greater scale and outside Australia.

Direct peers

• DealerSocket: Dealer CRM and digital retailing platform (now part of Cox Automotive) serving franchised auto dealers. Directly comparable to Dealer Studio's LMS + website offering for the US dealer market.
• VinSolutions: Cox Automotive's dealer CRM, desking, and lead management platform. Closest functional analogue to Dealer Studio's LMS for automotive dealerships.
• PureCars: Digital advertising and marketing platform purpose-built for automotive dealerships. Comparable in the digital marketing services + analytics layer that Dealer Studio offers as add-ons.
• LotVantage: Automotive inventory marketing and reputation management platform for dealers. Overlaps with Dealer Studio's Aggregation, Smart Publisher, and Reputation Management modules.
• ActivEngage: Messaging and engagement platform (chat, SMS, video) built specifically for automotive dealerships. Direct comparator to Dealer Studio's Autobot chatbot and AI SMS Bot capabilities.
• Higher Ring: Automotive digital marketing and lead response platform serving dealer groups. Comparable to Dealer Studio's Digital Marketing services and lead conversion focus.
• eLead: Dealer CRM and digital retailing platform for automotive retailers. Comparable product footprint to Dealer Studio's LMS, websites, and lead routing capabilities.

Others

• Carsales: Australia's dominant automotive marketplace and data platform; both a critical integration partner and a potential ecosystem competitor. Highly relevant given the Carsales integration is foundational to Dealer Studio's aggregation and AI features.

Emerging players

• AutoGrab: Australian automotive pricing and trade-in valuation platform. Adjacent to Dealer Studio's Trade-In Offers module and signals competitive dynamics in the dealer data/valuation layer in Australia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dealer-studio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dealer Studio