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Centeca connects independent car retailers to AI-led commerce through Click Dealer

18.08.26

New Click Dealer plugin makes stock from independent automotive retailers discoverable through conversational search, directing customers from ChatGPT into dealers’ own digital retail environments.

Automotive fintech group Centeca has launched a new conversational commerce capability that connects ChatGPT users with more than 120,000 vehicles from independent automotive retailers.

Delivered through Centeca brand Click Dealer, the plugin allows consumers to describe their requirements using natural language and identify relevant vehicles based on factors including budget, intended use and preferred fuel type.

Rather than introducing another marketplace destination, the technology directs customers to the supplying retailer’s own Click Dealer website, connecting AI-led discovery with the dealer’s existing digital retail and lead conversion tools.

As consumers increasingly use generative AI to research products and services, retailers face a new visibility challenge: ensuring their inventory remains discoverable when searches begin outside conventional websites, search engines and marketplaces. Click Dealer’s approach connects its retailer network to this emerging channel while preserving a direct route into each dealer’s own digital environment.

The plugin uses Model Context Protocol, an open standard that enables AI platforms to connect with external tools and structured data. Through this connection, ChatGPT can search Click Dealer’s regularly refreshed vehicle inventory using criteria including budget, location, body type, colour and mileage, while allowing customers to refine their requirements through natural conversation.
The underlying StockStack search service and MCP server were both developed in-house by Evolution Funding, another Centeca brand. Because the connection uses an open protocol, the same technology pattern could potentially be adapted for other AI platforms and marketplaces as they emerge.

Paul Saggar, chief innovation officer at Centeca, said:

“AI is changing the point at which product discovery begins. The challenge for retailers is not only making their inventory accessible through these new interfaces, but ensuring that interest can move into an environment where they retain their brand, customer relationship and digital retail journey.

“Using an open protocol and technology developed within the group gives us a reusable foundation for connecting structured automotive inventory with conversational AI. ChatGPT is the immediate application, but the same approach has the potential to support other AI-led discovery environments in the future.

“The longer-term opportunity is to connect AI-led discovery with the wider technology and fintech capabilities across Centeca, creating a more joined-up journey from initial customer need through to vehicle suitability, affordability and purchase.”

The launch forms part of Centeca’s strategy to connect automotive retail, finance and technology more closely across the customer journey. Developed initially through Click Dealer, the plugin also creates the foundation for future integration with the automotive finance capabilities of Evolution Funding.

The plugin has been developed as part of Click Dealer AI, Click Dealer’s wider application of AI across automotive retail. It also represents the first stage of Dealer in a Box Reach, extending the existing Dealer in a Box proposition into AI-led customer acquisition.

Dealer in a Box combines Click Dealer’s website and digital retail technology with access to Evolution Funding’s automotive finance platform. Dealer in a Box Reach builds on that connected proposition by opening a new route to consumer demand and connecting customers with relevant dealer stock before they make a conventional enquiry.

The next phase of development will integrate Evolution Funding’s finance and affordability capabilities, helping consumers identify not only vehicles that suit their practical requirements, but options more closely aligned with their budget.

The Click Dealer plugin is available through the Plugin Directory within ChatGPT. Users search for Click Dealer and follow the on-screen prompt to connect it before starting their search as part of a normal ChatGPT conversation. No separate application or software download is required.

Evolution Funding Group becomes Centeca as £6.5bn platform strategy accelerates

18.06.26

Evolution Funding Group has announced its rebrand to Centeca, reflecting the transformation of the business into one of the UK’s largest automotive commerce and fintech platforms, facilitating more than £6.5 billion in annual advances across finance, digital retail, and compliance.

The new identity marks the next phase in the company’s growth and follows over 20 years of growth and diversification, during which the business has evolved beyond its finance roots through platform investment, technology development and strategic acquisitions.

Today, Centeca supports more than 5,500 transacting retailers, powers four OEM finance journeys, integrates with over 35 whole-of-market lenders and maintains over 20 integration partnerships across the automotive sector. The Group combines specialist brands, proprietary technology and extensive data capabilities built through years of platform activity and industry expertise.

The rebrand comes as automotive retail undergoes significant digital transformation, with finance, retail technology, compliance and customer experience becoming increasingly interconnected. At the same time, retailers, lenders and partners are seeking greater integration, automation and operational efficiency across increasingly complex customer journeys.

At the centre of Centeca’s strategy is the Group’s proprietary platform architecture designed to connect areas of automotive commerce that have historically operated in isolation. The platform enables organisations across the automotive ecosystem to operate through a more integrated and efficient operating model.

A key differentiator for Centeca is its data capability. Through more than 20 years of transaction history, platform activity and retailer engagement, the business has built one of the industry’s most comprehensive views of automotive commerce. This insight helps power decisioning, automation, lender connectivity and platform intelligence across the ecosystem.

Over recent years, the business has expanded through the acquisition and development of specialist brands including Click Dealer, Motion Finance, Creditas and Automotive Compliance, alongside continued investment in proprietary technology and platform capability.

The Group’s platform strategy is already delivering measurable outcomes through Dealer in a Box, its integrated retail, finance and compliance proposition. The solution recently received Credit Strategy’s Innovation Award 2026, recognising its ability to simplify and connect multiple stages of the automotive retail journey.

Lee Streets, chief executive officer at Centeca, said:

"This is more than a change of name. It marks an important milestone for the business and recognises how far we have come.

"We have built a strong group of specialist brands, developed significant technology and data capabilities, and created foundations that position us for continued growth. Centeca gives us a Group identity that better captures who we are today and where we are heading.

"The future of automotive commerce will be shaped by how well providers connect people, systems and data. Our focus is on creating the infrastructure that enables businesses to operate more effectively within an increasingly digital market."

Duncan Josey, chief strategy officer at Centeca, added:

"For many years, automotive retail has been built around disconnected systems and fragmented processes. Finance, retail technology and compliance have operated independently of one another, creating complexity for retailers and friction for consumers.

"As the market continues to evolve, those boundaries are becoming increasingly blurred. The name Evolution Funding Group has served us incredibly well, but it no longer reflects the breadth of our proposition.

Centeca better represents our role within the wider automotive ecosystem and the unique combination of technology, data and specialist expertise we are bringing together through our platform strategy.”

The launch of Centeca follows a period of sustained growth supported by investment from LDC, the private equity arm of Lloyds Banking Group, and global investment firm Carlyle.

Looking ahead, Centeca will continue investing in platform development, data capabilities and strategic growth opportunities as it seeks to address areas of fragmentation and inefficiency across the wider automotive ecosystem.

For customers, partners and lenders, the rebrand will not affect existing services, relationships or points of contact.