Darwin to Power F&I for CDK Connected Store
CDK Global’s Connected Store 2.0 now offers F&I products through a new partnership with Darwin Automotive.
ISELIN, N.J. — Fintech solutions provider Darwin Automotive announced its patented F&I system has been selected by CDK Global to power the F&I offering of the CDK Connected Store solution.
“We are excited to bring our innovative offering to the CDK Connected Store solution,” said Phil Battista, CEO of Darwin Automotive. “Using our patented technology, CDK Connected Store will be able to offer personalized F&I protection in real time direct to the consumer.”
Darwin personalizes F&I products by using a patented set of algorithms. The information surrounding how that specific consumer will benefit from the product or service is critical to the education of the online consumer, Battista said.
“Dealers can’t afford to lose yet another profit center and some of these providers are asking them to do just that. Darwin has ported the technology that it has created and deployed in more than 2,500 dealers, making it available for direct consumption and removing the barriers that have previously restricted the presentation of F&I products online.”
Darwin is now providing CDK access to its F&I Collateral Library, which consists of more than 500 pieces of video and electronic collateral from 140 providers. It is billed as the largest such library in the industry.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Darwin to offer F&I products in Connected Store 2.0 in such an innovative way,” said Max Steckler, vice president of product management for CDK Global. “To be successful, we know that we have to provide a protection-products experience that is much more consultative than it is coercive. Darwin provides the smart, shopper-driven experience that fits perfectly with our Connected Store vision.”
More F&I

Modern Technology Objection Handling
In this video, Trent White shares how to confidently handle technology-based objections by helping customers understand the value of protection, even with modern vehicle technology.
Read More →
Consistency at Scale: Driving F&I Performance
With 75 rooftops across the Sunshine State, Morgan Auto Group has proven to Floridians that it knows a thing or two about driving performance in a competitive market. But it didn’t start at the top.
Read More →
Gitty Up on GAP
The foundational finance-and-insurance product hasn’t kept up with the latest conditions for auto dealers. Is the time ripe?
Read More →
How AI-Powered Coaching Is Transforming F&I Performance
See how AI-powered coaching can turn F&I customer conversations into actionable insights that support compliance, performance and profitability
Read More →
Sell Value, Build Trust
In this video, Trent White explains why selling on value, not fear, builds lasting customer trust, reduces cancellations, and drives long-term success.
Read More →
F&I Sales Give Dealers First-Half Lift
Product business shored up total profits to avoid an overall revenue tanking as product penetrations held steady, StoneEagle reported.
Read More →
Targeted Training Drives Results
Today’s technology, instead of threatening F&I managers, can actually make them better, according to an industry veteran who’s watched market setbacks roil the unprepared.
Read More →
Double the Change, Double the Chance
When an F&I manager gets a customer refusal, it’s a wise move to tweak more than one thing in the product offering.
Read More →
Just Do It
F&I managers need training, but instead of resisting application or expecting perfection, they should improve by simply acting on what they learn.
Read More →
Dealer Lender Preferences Revealed
When lenders provide consistent, fast service, their overall satisfaction scores with dealers greatly improve, according to JD Power research.
Read More →