🎙️ How do you transform used car listings into lead magnets? In this episode, we sit down with Sanjay Varnwall and David Purgason of Spyne.AI, a revolutionary company using artificial intelligence to take vehicle merchandising to the next level. Whether you’re a dealer struggling with low-quality photos or a marketplace looking to standardize your listings, Spyne’s solutions could be the edge you need.
Sanjay Varnwal is the Co-Founder and CEO of Spyne, an AI startup transforming how vehicles are sold online. An IIT Kharagpur alumnus and former Amazon leader, Sanjay has scaled Spyne to 2,000+ dealerships across 50+ countries, powering over $5B in vehicle listings annually. Backed by $16M from Vertex, Accel, and Storm Ventures, the company has grown 5× in just 15 months. Sanjay is now leading Spyne’s U.S. expansion to tap into the 80K+ auto dealers market with a GenAI-powered retail suite.
Revolutionizing Vehicle Merchandising with AI: Inside Spyne’s Game-Changing Tech
In an increasingly digital car-buying environment, a photo is no longer just a photo—it’s the handshake, the first impression, and often the deal-maker. But what if your inventory images could rival professional studios with just a smartphone? That’s the bold promise of Spyne AI, an automotive tech company turning ordinary car photos into lead-generating assets through the power of artificial intelligence.
In this episode of the “Everyone Hates Car Salesmen” podcast, host Shawn Payne dives deep with Sanjay Varnwall CEO of Spyne, and David Purgason, to explore how AI is transforming used car photography, dealer websites, and online buyer trust.
The Problem with Traditional Vehicle Photos
Shawn Payne, former dealership owner and host of the podcast, kicked things off by addressing a major pain point in the industry: bad inventory photos. “The number one thing that drives me nuts is a used car dealer posting a beautiful car with trash in the background or taken in a dark corner of the lot,” Payne noted.
According to Sanjay, “Images are the first impression a buyer has. We’ve seen that 40–50% of online buyers will drop off just because of poor-quality images.” The problem is especially acute for independent dealerships that don’t have access to high-end studios or photographers.
How Spyne AI Delivers Studio-Quality Results with a Smartphone
What sets Spyne apart is its simplicity and scalability. “We’ve made it so that any dealership staff can just walk around the car with a phone, and within minutes have studio-quality images,” explained Ritesh Nandan.
The app uses AI to automatically replace backgrounds, enhance lighting, and produce a consistent 360-degree presentation of each vehicle. “The technology removes all noise—like other cars, dirty lots, or uneven lighting—and replaces it with a clean, branded background,” added Sanjay.
A Seamless Process Built for Dealers
Dealers don’t need to invest in equipment or retrain staff. “You don’t need a DSLR, a lightbox, or Photoshop,” said Sanjay. “You just need your phone. It’s fully automated.” This is a major selling point for dealers managing high inventory turnover or limited staff.
As Shawn Payne pointed out, “This is something a porter could do. You don’t need to be a photographer.” That accessibility is what makes the platform especially attractive to independent stores trying to compete with franchise-level merchandising.
The Business Case for Better Images
The ROI of better images is clear. “We’ve seen a 30% increase in engagement and 20% higher conversion on listings with enhanced images,” noted David. This translates to more leads, faster turnarounds, and ultimately, more sales.
Shawn Payne, automotive social media expert and trainer, emphasized the importance of visual branding. “In a sea of listings, your photo has to stop the scroll. Spyne gives you that scroll-stopper without needing a photographer on staff.”
Helping Marketplaces and Platforms Standardize Listings
Spyne isn’t just for dealerships. Large marketplaces also benefit from consistent, high-quality images across listings. “We work with OEMs, used car platforms, and even auction houses to make sure the vehicles are presented in a way that builds trust with buyers,” said Sanjay.
With AI, Spyne can process thousands of listings per day, applying consistent framing, lighting, and branding. This is critical for platforms that rely on trust and uniformity to convert shoppers into buyers.
Integrations and Customization
One of Spyne’s advantages is its flexibility. “We can integrate with your DMS, CRM, or website platform,” said David. Dealers can even choose custom branding or specific backdrop styles to match their showroom identity.
This customization helps maintain brand consistency while elevating the perceived value of each vehicle. “Whether it’s a $6,000 Corolla or a $60,000 Escalade, it’ll look like it came from a studio,” added Payne.
Real Results: Before and After
Dealers who implement Spyne typically see immediate differences. “We’ve had clients tell us they started getting more calls within a week of updating their inventory photos,” Sanjay shared.
Spyne also supports analytics, so dealers can track how image quality impacts engagement and sales metrics. “It’s not just about better pictures. It’s about results,” emphasized Nandan.
Spyne’s Origin and Vision
Spyne started with e-commerce and fashion imagery but pivoted to automotive when they recognized the industry’s unique pain points. “Auto listings are complex. You need consistency, trust, and speed,” said Sanjay. “That’s where our AI found the perfect fit.”
Today, the company works with clients in over 15 countries and is quickly becoming the go-to visual solution for automotive marketplaces and independent dealers alike.
Trying Spyne at Your Dealership
Interested dealers can request a demo directly from the Spyne website. “It’s easy to get started, and we even offer trial access so you can see the difference firsthand,” said David.
Shawn Payne concluded, “If you’re serious about merchandising and ready to step up your game, this tool pays for itself.”
Final Thoughts
Spyne AI is not just a photo enhancer—it’s a business accelerator for dealerships, platforms, and marketplaces looking to stand out in a crowded digital space. By turning every phone into a studio and every porter into a merchandiser, Spyne offers a powerful way to modernize how vehicles are presented—and sold.
As Sanjay put it, “We want to help every dealership, no matter the size, present their cars like pros.” With tools that are fast, scalable, and effective, Spyne is leading the charge in AI-powered vehicle merchandising.
