The auto industry has been slow to go all-in on technology in the past, but the posting big financial growth numbers of some booming automotive technology companies could be a signal that’s changing.

Deloitte’s 2025 Technology Fast 500, a ranking of North America’s fastest-growing tech companies, includes a number of entries from the automotive sector, led by Toronto-based AutoLeap, an auto repair shop management software company at No. 40, thanks to a remarkable 2,845% revenue growth over the past three years.

That’s one of three Canadian auto-related firms on the list, with Matador AI, a Montreal-based conversational artificial intelligence platform built for dealerships, ranked 238th (339% growth) and Canadian online used-vehicle retailer Clutch, headquartered in Mississauga, Ont., at 290 (266%).

U.S. automotive companies on the list include vehicle transport logistics technology provider Autosled at No. 114 (790%), DMS and dealership software provider Tekion at No. 234 (348%), dealership customer data platform Fullpath — one of Cherokee Media Group’s Emerging 8 companies in 2024 — at No. 256 (310%), F&I product management platform F&I Sentinel at No. 330 (226%) and Champ Titles, a provider of digital vehicle title, registration and lien systems, at No. 379 (189%).

To be eligible for the ranking companies must own proprietary technology and generate more than $5 million in annual revenues.

“This achievement reaffirms what we have seen throughout our work in the industry,” Matador AI co-founder and CEO Nick Cossette said. “Dealerships are shifting from viewing AI as an experiment to relying on it as core infrastructure.

“Our growth is the result of a deliberate long-term focus — building AI that reflects how dealerships work, solving mission-critical problems such as missed calls, under-followed leads, staffing gaps and delivering measurable impacts on appointments, repair orders and revenue.”

In a news release, Matador AI said its ranking illustrates the accelerating adoption of its AI technology.

The company said its platform is designed to solve operational challenges automating sales and service conversations in the phone, web, text, social and email channels with sales and service agents that book and confirm appointments, follow up with leads, answer customer questions and keep shoppers engaged throughout the ownership lifecycle, while integrating seamlessly with dealer systems.

Matador AI said momentum for technology is accelerating as dealers seek more automation and efficiency, and consistent customer engagement in sales and service.

“What we are seeing across dealerships is that AI delivers real impact when it’s implemented through partnership,” head of after-sales Joshua Bagley said. “Our after-sales team works directly with stores to align the technology with their sales and service processes and support staff, and ensure the AI reflects how each dealership operates day to day.

“They aren’t just adopting a tool — they’re gaining a partner that is committed to helping their teams perform at a higher level and creating a more consistent customer experience across every rooftop.”