CDK Renews and Expands Strategic Partnership with Jim Ellis Automotive Group to Drive Dealership Innovation Across Georgia
CDK Global, a leading provider of automotive retail software solutions, has announced the renewal and expansion of its multi-year strategic partnership with Jim Ellis Automotive Group, a prominent, family-owned dealership group with a strong presence across Georgia. As part of the renewed agreement, CDK will continue to support the operations of Jim Ellis’ 21 dealership locations, delivering advanced technologies designed to elevate customer experience and streamline internal processes.
At the heart of the renewed partnership is CDK’s Dealership Xperience platform, which will be implemented across all Jim Ellis dealerships. This platform includes the Fixed Operations Suite and the Intelligence Suite, both of which are critical to driving operational efficiency and enhancing the customer journey from sales to service.
In addition to the core technology platform, Jim Ellis Automotive Group will also leverage CDK Professional Services, a consulting arm that provides dealership-specific strategies and solutions tailored to today’s evolving automotive landscape. These consulting services will support customer relationship management (CRM), fixed operations, and accounting, allowing Jim Ellis to respond more effectively to changing customer expectations and market dynamics.
“CDK has been instrumental in helping us elevate both our sales and service operations. Their expert consulting and tailored approach were key factors in our decision to renew our partnership,” said Stacey Ellis Hodges, Vice President of Jim Ellis Automotive Group. “With CDK solutions, we’re enhancing every step of the customer journey—making it more intuitive, connected, and efficient. The comprehensive support provided by CDK across our dealership, from the back office to the showroom, continues to drive our long-term growth and success.”
Enhancing the Modern Dealership Experience
With this renewed agreement, Jim Ellis Automotive Group continues to double down on its commitment to provide a seamless, digitally enabled customer experience across its dealership network. CDK’s Dealership Xperience platform is specifically designed to unify fragmented dealership systems, providing a more integrated and data-driven approach to managing vehicle sales, service, parts, and customer communications.
The Fixed Operations Suite enables more efficient scheduling, technician workflows, and service lane operations, while the Intelligence Suite provides real-time insights and analytics to drive smarter decision-making across departments. Together, these tools allow Jim Ellis to offer faster service times, more transparent communication with customers, and improved retention.
Meanwhile, CDK Professional Services plays a key role in ensuring that dealership personnel are trained and empowered to make the most of the tools at their disposal. From customized workflow enhancements to change management and training, the professional services team works closely with the dealership to align technology implementation with real-world operational goals.
A Trusted Software Provider in Automotive Retail
As of 2025, CDK Global supports the operations of the majority of franchised dealerships across North America, including five out of six publicly traded dealership groups in the U.S. and the only publicly listed dealership group in Canada. The company’s technology footprint spans thousands of rooftops, making it a cornerstone of the modern automotive retail ecosystem.
CDK’s software portfolio supports a full spectrum of dealership operations—from digital retailing and desking tools, to service department optimization, inventory management, and financial reporting. By continuing to partner with innovative dealer groups like Jim Ellis, CDK reinforces its reputation as a trusted enabler of growth and transformation in the auto retail sector.
Jim Ellis Automotive Group: A Legacy of Excellence
Founded over 50 years ago, Jim Ellis Automotive Group has grown into one of the most respected dealer groups in the southeastern United States. The company operates dealerships representing a broad portfolio of premium and mainstream automotive brands, including:
- Luxury and performance brands: Alfa Romeo, Audi, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Genesis, and Volvo
- Mainstream consumer brands: Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Toyota, and Volkswagen
- Domestic brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, and GMC
Jim Ellis offers new and pre-owned vehicles, commercial fleet solutions, as well as parts and service departments staffed by factory-certified technicians. The company’s locations serve communities throughout Georgia, including Atlanta, Buford, Kennesaw, Marietta, McDonough, Sandy Springs, South Fulton, and Union City.
With a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction, community engagement, and continuous improvement, Jim Ellis Automotive Group has earned numerous industry accolades and is known for its transparent, family-oriented approach to business.
The extension of the partnership between CDK and Jim Ellis Automotive Group signals a shared vision of what the future of automotive retail should look like—customer-first, technology-driven, and operationally agile. By investing in scalable, next-generation platforms and high-impact consulting services, Jim Ellis is preparing its dealerships to thrive in a marketplace where digital experiences, service efficiency, and personalized communication are more important than ever.
As both companies continue to innovate, this renewed relationship sets the stage for continued digital transformation and strategic growth across Georgia’s dealership landscape.
CDK Global is a leading provider of cloud-based software to dealerships and Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”) across automotive and related industries. The Company’s cloud-based, software as a service (“SaaS”) platform enables dealerships to manage their end-to-end business operations including the acquisition, sale, financing, insuring, repair, and maintenance of vehicles. By automating and streamlining critical workflows, the integrated platform of modern solutions enables dealers to sell and service more vehicles by creating simple and convenient experiences for customers and improves their financial and operational performance.
