Xtime, part of Cox Automotive, is a cloud‑based service experience platform known for redefining dealership fixed‑ops workflows. Its flagship offering, Spectrum, combines advanced modules Invite, Schedule, Engage, and Inspect to optimize service operations, boost transparency, and drive customer loyalty.
History & Market Reach
Acquired by Cox Automotive in November 2014, Xtime quickly grew to serve over 6,000 dealers globally processing millions of appointments and generating billions in service revenue. By 2016, the Spectrum platform unified disparate service capabilities into one cohesive system. Today, Xtime is trusted by nearly 7,000 franchise dealerships and over 20 OEM partners.
The Spectrum Suite: Four Core Modules
1. Invite
A marketing engine that helps dealerships recapture lost service opportunities—like declined services or overdue maintenance—through personalized email and SMS campaigns. It also identifies underutilized shop capacity by analyzing booking patterns.
2. Schedule
Enables customers to book service appointments via web, mobile, or in-vehicle systems—24/7—based on real-time capacity management. It supports recalls, warranty alerts, ride-sharing options (e.g. Lyft integration), and multimedia capture at booking.
3. Engage
A digital check-in/check-out workflow using tablets or desktops that provides service menus, pricing, history, media-based upsell offers, and integrated payment processing in-lane or remotely. It improves advisor efficiency and upsell conversion.
4. Inspect (powered by Service Pro)
A dynamic, technician-driven multipoint inspection system. Inspections include photos, videos (branded, subtitled), and written recommendations shared directly with customers. This transparency boosts ASR approvals and avg. dollars per RO.
Quantified Business Impact
According to Xtime’s 2016 data analysis:
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Dealers using the full Spectrum solution saw an average annual revenue boost of $660,000.
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Inspect contributed an additional $141 per vehicle per month, equating to ~$191,000 monthly.
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Schedule increased show rates by 8.7%, translating into ~50 more ROs per month and a 6.6% increase in retention.
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Engage supported an 8.2% retention increase, with CSI scores rising ~67 points, boosting revenue by ~$13,000/month.
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Invite recaptured—on average—24 lost customers each month.
These results demonstrate how bundling modules into a unified platform supports both customer experience and fixed‑ops growth.
2025 Enhancements: Elevating Service Automation
On January 17, 2025, Cox Automotive unveiled significant upgrades to Xtime:
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A new Messaging Center enabling streamlined texting and bulk communication with customers and prospects.
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Advanced multimedia capabilities, including high-resolution, noise‑canceled and branded MPI videos—with median ASR approval times as fast as 7 minutes.
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A real-time performance dashboard featuring performance scoring and actionable metrics.
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Deeper DMS workflow integration for smoother fixed ops processing.
These updates reflect Xtime’s evolution toward deeper automation, improved customer communication, and measurable operational efficiency.
Integration Ecosystem: Cox Automotive’s Retail360
Xtime is embedded within the broader Retail360 ecosystem, seamlessly integrating with other Cox Automotive tools:
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Dealertrack DMS: Real-time scheduling, repair order updates, billing, and parts quoting.
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VinSolutions Connect CRM: Allows BDC staff to access service history and schedule appointments using customer CRM data.
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vAuto Provision: Helps match service customers to inventory opportunities.
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Supports recall notifications, loaner car management, and OEM-specific menus.
Together, these integrations create a unified flow across sales, service, and marketing.
User Feedback: Strengths & Challenges
Strengths (from Reddit communities)
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User-friendly interface and internal communication: Many service advisors and techs highlight Xtime’s interface as intuitive, particularly for internal messaging and attaching photos or videos.
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Transparency and collaboration: Streamlined MPI and messaging functions aid collaboration and reduce service misunderstanding or friction.
Common Complaints
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Parts quoting and integration issues, especially with CDK DMS: Quoting parts can be slow or glitchy; inventory synchronization often requires manual effort. One user said, “Takes forever to populate parts lines… every time you click ‘Add’ … it shoots you all the way back up the screen.”
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Double‑entry concerns: Users report having to maintain quotes in both Xtime and their DMS, increasing workload. Some resort to screen duplications or simplified quoting methods.
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System reliability: Reports of lag, crashes, and general instability—especially during high‑volume parts/service sessions.
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Campaign costs: Invite and campaign pricing perceived as expensive—some mention quotes near $4,000/month—though ROI varies.
Overall, while many appreciate Xtime’s front-of-house experience, backend friction in parts integration and quoting is a recurring theme.
Implementation Best Practices
To maximize Xtime’s value, dealerships often follow these guidelines:
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Phase in modules: Begin with Schedule and Inspect to build familiarity before rolling out Invite or bulk marketing campaigns.
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Provide thorough onboarding and training: Dedicated performance managers and in-person support help staff adopt new workflows.
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Coordinate closely with DMS teams: Ensure integration settings are optimized to minimize duplicate entry or sync delays.
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Use performance dashboards: Monitor ASR approval rates, retention, average RO, and campaign impact to guide data-driven decisions. .
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Evaluate campaign ROI periodically: Adjust messaging strategy and frequency based on conversion data.
Future Outlook
As vehicle owners increasingly expect digital-first interactions, Xtime’s evolving feature set positions it as a core component of modern fixed operations. Robust communication tools, real-time dashboards, and enhanced DMS connectivity support scalable growth and efficiency. Its central role in Retail360 underscores Cox Automotive’s long-term vision of connected retail workflows that drive lifetime customer value.
Xtime, through its Spectrum platform, offers a powerful and proven solution for service departments aiming to modernize operations. Its integrated modules ranging from online scheduling and inspections to marketing and real-time insights deliver measurable gains in retention, sales per RO, and operational efficiency.
While backend challenges especially in parts quoting and DMS integration can impact productivity, dealerships that strategically implement and train teams often see strong ROI and improved customer satisfaction.