AI and the Future of Car Buying: 250 Industry Leaders Gather in Singapore for AIMCONNECT 2026

More than 250 senior executives and industry decision-makers from 11 countries gathered in Singapore for AIMCONNECT 2026 on 13 October to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the automotive industry, from vehicle purchases and financing to customer engagement and mobility services.

Held at Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa under the theme “Where Mobility Meets the Future”, the forum was organised by X Star Technology and Aimotion. It brought together representatives from more than 100 automotive organisations, including vehicle manufacturers and dealerships, over 60 financial institutions and around 20 technology companies.

Discussions focused on how AI, data analytics and connected digital platforms could improve the customer journey as consumers explore different ways to access and finance vehicles.

Shawn Yang, CEO of X Star Technology, highlighted the opportunity to improve vehicle financing in Southeast Asia. He cited estimates that between 60% and 80% of cars in the region are purchased through financing, but only around 10% of consumer prospects ultimately complete the process and secure financing.

He said disconnected systems and repeated handovers between dealers, lenders and other service providers could create friction that discourages potential buyers. AI-powered systems and better connections between industry participants could help streamline applications, improve conversion rates and provide a more seamless financing experience.

The event opened with welcome addresses by Tin Pei Ling, Member of Parliament, and Datok Tony Khor Chong Boon, president of the Federation of Motor and Credit Companies Associations of Malaysia. Yang delivered the keynote address.

Panel discussions featured representatives from companies including Uber, DRB-HICOM and EON, BYD Singapore, MK.X, Google Cloud, Deloitte, Carro and Deutsche Bank. Topics included the influence of personal AI assistants on consumer decisions, the use of data throughout the vehicle ownership journey, and ways to connect consumers, dealerships and financial institutions through a more integrated financing ecosystem.

Live audience polls offered a snapshot of delegates’ expectations for the future of mobility. When asked whether consumers would still prefer to own cars in 10 years, 54% of respondents expected flexible mobility options to become the preferred choice, while 46% believed car ownership would remain the preferred option.

Connectivity between institutions was identified as the leading priority for improving auto financing, selected by 38% of respondents. Better infrastructure for capturing and analysing data came next at 28%, followed by greater customer centricity at 18% and stronger consumer protection without restricting innovation at 16%.

The event also featured demonstrations of AI applications designed for commercial use. X Star Technology presented its Xport platform, which demonstrated lead-to-loan matching and real-time approvals. Aimotion showcased AI-assisted marketing workflows, including automated video production and tools for engaging and qualifying prospective customers.

Other demonstrations included MStar’s AI-based automotive finance platform, ai Wingman’s conversational customer support software and MK.X’s AI-driven electric vehicle transportation network.

The showcases illustrated how AI could be applied to different stages of automotive commerce, from generating marketing content and responding to enquiries to qualifying sales leads and supporting financing decisions.

Industry speakers also stressed the importance of maintaining customer trust as automation becomes more widespread. Bryan Tan, chief scientist of Carro Group and CEO of Carro Indonesia, said AI could help connect different stages of the automotive journey, allowing businesses to respond more effectively to customer needs.

Dr Harold Teng, director and chief project coordinator at MKX Technology, said the practical value of AI should be measured by its ability to improve everyday experiences, enhance safety and make mobility more intuitive.

Matthew Duncan, director and CEO of JWT Bespoke, highlighted the need to balance regulation with innovation. Drawing on Australia’s experience with automotive finance, he said there were lessons for Southeast Asia as the region develops its own financing ecosystem.

AIMCONNECT 2026 also brought attention to the role of data privacy, pricing transparency and responsible lending as businesses adopt more advanced AI systems. Participants discussed how automation could handle tasks such as financing calculations, pricing and fraud detection, while human expertise would remain important for complex decisions and customer relationships.

The organisers said the forum aimed to encourage greater collaboration among automotive manufacturers, dealerships, lenders, technology providers and mobility platforms as the industry moves towards more connected services.