VinSolutions API
VinSolutions publishes REST APIs across developer.vinsolutions.com and Cox Automotive portals, covering leads, customers, and CRM activity. Credentials require Partnership Program approval, a partner agreement, and per-rooftop dealer authorization; there is no self-serve signup or sandbox.
Frequently asked questions
VinSolutions scores F on the API Report Card. VinSolutions publishes REST APIs across developer.vinsolutions.com and Cox Automotive portals, covering leads, customers, and CRM activity. Credentials require Partnership Program approval, a partner agreement, and per-rooftop dealer authorization; there is no self-serve signup or sandbox.
Without a usable official API, teams fall back on manual exports, file drops, or one-off vendor integrations. The other option is an unofficial API layer like Supergood that automates the authenticated web app directly.
VinSolutions is the auto-dealer CRM business unit of Cox Automotive (a division of Cox Enterprises), acquired in 2011 and now embedded in Cox's dealer-software stack alongside Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, Dealer.com, Dealertrack DMS, vAuto, Xtime and Manheim.
Auto Dealer Management. Buyers are franchise new-car dealerships (single rooftops through enterprise dealer groups like AutoNation, Lithia, Sonic, Group 1, Penske, Ken Garff, Larry H. A car shopper submits a lead from Autotrader, KBB, Dealer.com, a third-party listings site or the dealer's own website.
Very high inside North American auto retail.
VinSolutions holds the operating customer and sales record of a franchise car dealership: every inbound lead (Autotrader, KBB, dealer site, third-party, walk-in, phone) with source attribution and Cox first-party enrichment; every customer and household record with contact history, credit-prequal flags, equity position and prior service relationship; every CRM activity (calls, texts, emails, appointments, showroom visits, test drives, BDC notes); every desked deal (vehicle, trade-in, F&I product mix, lender, payment grid, signed contract); call recordings and CTI metadata; AMP marketing campaign sends and engagement; Connect Automotive Intelligence in-market scores; and a continuous data exchange with Dealertrack DMS (or third-party DMS), Autotrader, KBB ICO, vAuto, Xtime and Manheim.
Mature. VinSolutions was founded in 2006 in Mission, Kansas and acquired by Cox Automotive in 2011.
API access is sales-gated and requires Partnership Program approval plus per-dealer authorization; there is no self-serve developer signup. API Tracker listing for VinSolutions shows largely empty fields for API styles, authentication detail, endpoint catalog, webhooks, sandbox and SDKs, publicly available technical documentation is sparse. Full sourced list under Sources below.
Common alternatives include Elead CRM (CDK Global), DealerSocket CRM (Solera), DriveCentric, Tekion ARC, ProMax, AutoRaptor. Graded alternatives appear under "More from the report card" below.
Grades measure one thing: can a customer's engineering team get their own data out programmatically? We check six things (whether a real API exists, how access is gated, data coverage, auth quality, docs and developer experience, and stability) and roll them into a letter grade. Grades get re-verified, and they only move on evidence.
Yes. Supergood maintains an unofficial VinSolutions API and MCP server so AI agents and internal tools can read and write VinSolutions data. See the VinSolutions integration docs at supergood.ai/docs/vinsolutions-api.