OPENLANE Launches Audio Boost AI for Faster, Easier Vehicle Evaluations

AI-Powered Tool Pinpoints Engine Sound Anomalies to Boost Dealer Confidence

CARMEL, Ind., Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- OPENLANE, Inc. (NYSE: KAR), a leading operator of digital marketplaces for wholesale used vehicles, today announced the launch of Audio Boost AI, a groundbreaking new feature on OPENLANE's US marketplace designed to give dealers deeper confidence and speed when evaluating vehicles. Embedded directly within the vehicle condition report for every dealer-consigned vehicle, Audio Boost AI pairs high-quality engine audio recordings with AI-generated highlights flagging potential issues and sample recordings of a comparable "normal" engine for quick benchmarking.

"Understanding engine health is one of the most persistent industry pain points for dealers, and Audio Boost AI is a gamechanger offering unparalleled transparency and confidence," said Justin Zane, SVP and President, US Marketplace and Services at OPENLANE. "Our exclusive audio insights empower dealers to identify issues faster and make more informed decisions with less guesswork. With greater confidence in every bid, Audio Boost AI helps dealers more quickly fill their lots with the right vehicles — so they can spend more time retailing and less time wholesaling."

The tool augments the experience and expertise of OPENLANE's seasoned inspectors with an AI model trained on OPENLANE's proprietary database spanning more than 1.2 million engine recordings. If an inspector flags a potential issue, Audio Boost AI compares the recording against its ever-growing database and visually highlights anomalies within the recording, making it fast and easy for dealers to hone in where it matters most when making bidding and buying decisions. To further enhance consistency and trust, colored alert banners indicating whether a potential issue has been detected (green if no issues, yellow if issue reported) are affixed at the top of the Engine Analysis section of the condition report. Sample recordings are also provided for over 95% of vehicles for which an upper or lower engine issue is detected, enabling dealers to quickly and efficiently compare the listed vehicle's engine audio to benchmark engines.

"With the addition of Audio Boost AI to their arsenal, dealers now have unprecedented clarity and visibility into what's going on with a vehicle cosmetically, diagnostically and under the hood," said Zane. "There's no shortage of data in the modern world; what dealers want and need are better, more actionable insights that help them sift through the chaff and make sense of it all. We're proud to be the first and only marketplace to offer this unique and powerful solution to dealers. Wherever you are — on the lot, at home or on vacation — OPENLANE makes it easier than ever for our customers to quickly and accurately assess vehicle condition and valuation."

Audio Boost AI is the newest innovation reinforcing OPENLANE's commitment to leveraging the latest, most cutting-edge technologies to help make wholesale easier and improve outcomes for both buyers and sellers. It builds on the success of Visual Boost AI and Code Boost IQ, both launched in 2024, to create one of the most powerful vehicle condition reports in the industry — packaging smart insights in a crisp, easy-to-understand format dealers can quickly navigate and digest.

For more information about Audio Boost AI and OPENLANE's other innovations transforming wholesale, watch the video and visit openlane.com.

About OPENLANE
OPENLANE, Inc. (NYSE: KAR) makes wholesale easy by connecting the leading automotive manufacturers, dealers, rental companies, fleet operators, captive finance and lending institutions as buyers and sellers to create the most advanced digital marketplace for used vehicles. Our innovative products and services deliver a fast, fair and transparent experience that helps customers make smarter decisions and achieve better outcomes. Headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, OPENLANE has employees across the United States, Canada, Europe, Uruguay and the Philippines. For more information and the latest OPENLANE news, visit corporate.openlane.com.

SOURCE OPENLANE, Inc.