Carsales adds AI voice search to simplify car hunting

Carsales has launched an AI Voice Search feature in its iOS app, allowing shoppers to search by speaking natural-language queries instead of using filters and keywords.

The feature is live on iOS, with an Android release expected in the coming weeks. Carsales is positioning it as a response to changing consumer behaviour and the growing use of AI tools during vehicle research.

Research commissioned by carsales found more than a third of Australians use AI to help with vehicle searches. Usage was higher among younger cohorts, with 45% of Gen Z respondents and 53% of Millennials reporting they use AI this way.

How it works

AI Voice Search lets users describe what they want in everyday terms, such as "a small city car with low kilometres" or "a family-friendly SUV for weekend trips". It then returns listings that match the request.

The feature is built into the carsales app as an alternative way to start a search. It is intended to reduce the need for shoppers to know vehicle specifications or automotive terminology early in the process.

Carsales said it built the feature using its own data and real-time inventory matching. It did not disclose which third-party AI technologies or cloud platforms it uses, or whether the feature relies on large language models.

Product context

Voice search has been available for years in consumer services, but uptake in online vehicle marketplaces has been uneven. Car listings typically rely on structured fields such as make, model, price, fuel type, body style and mileage, and translating conversational requests into those fields remains a practical challenge for search and recommendation systems.

Carsales is positioning the voice interface as a way to capture intent from buyers who may not know which models fit their needs. It is also aimed at users who find filter-based search time-consuming, particularly early in the buying journey.

The launch comes as marketplaces and retail platforms invest in AI-driven discovery tools, including conversational assistants, AI-generated summaries and recommendation features designed to reduce time spent browsing and refining queries.

Impact on sellers

Carsales said it expects the feature to improve the quality of buyer enquiries by narrowing results based on stated preferences. It linked this to clearer buyer intent for private sellers, dealers and automotive brands advertising on the platform.

Carsales operates one of Australia's largest online automotive marketplaces, with a mix of dealer and private listings, as well as advertising products for vehicle manufacturers and other industry participants.

Ryan Svaghi, Executive General Manager, Consumer Product & Design at carsales, said the company is seeing a shift in how people want to search for vehicles.

"We're seeing a real shift in how people want to search. Most buyers know what they need from a car, but they're not always sure what make/model meets their needs or what the technical terms are. AI Voice Search helps take that pressure away. You just speak in your own words, and we show you the cars that match your request. It's for anyone who's ever felt overwhelmed by car jargon or who wants to start a complex search quickly, without navigating multiple filters. AI Voice Search builds on our commitment to creating experiences that feel natural, helpful and help boost confidence for buyers."

Technology focus

Michelle Low, Executive General Manager, Technology & Data at carsales, said the work focuses on turning conversational input into results that align with shopper intent.

"We get really excited about innovation that simplifies the whole experience for customers. AI Voice Search is another step toward reducing the complexity that often comes with the car buying journey and replacing it with something that just feels like it makes sense. Behind the scenes, our team has built a suite of models that distil (implicit) intent and turn unstructured conversational input into useful results. The outcome matters most: people spend less time fiddling with tech and more time discovering the right car. That's a goal we set ourselves with every feature - practical innovation that earns trust without the customer really needing to think about it."

Carsales said AI Voice Search is part of a broader set of consumer-facing AI features, including an AI Assistant and an AI-powered search and summarisation tool.

The iOS release is available now, with the Android rollout expected within weeks, as carsales expands AI-driven search and discovery tools across its consumer apps.