LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb 5, 2026--
DAS Technology, the automotive industry’s AI-native Customer Data and Experience Platform provider, today announced it has been named Best New Product at the 2026 National Automobile Dealers Association Convention following a live pitch competition held during NADA 2026 in Las Vegas.
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Selected from more than 600 exhibitors, DAS Technology emerged as the top solution among ten finalists in the NADA Exhibitor Best New Product Pitch Competition. The award was determined by a panel of dealer judges evaluating solutions based on real world dealer impact, innovation, and measurable outcomes.
DAS Technology extends its sincere appreciation to the dealer judges who evaluated this year’s competition, including Scott Dube, Dealer Principal of McGovern Hyundai Route 93; Bobby Sight, Vice President of Rob Sight Ford; and Savannah Simms, Director of Business Development at Ford Lincoln Fairfield. The company also thanks Anthony Rinaldi, Senior Manager of Digital Communications at National Automobile Dealers Association, for moderating the session.
The winning presentation was delivered by Alexi Venneri, Co-founder and CEO of DAS Technology, alongside SVP of Marketing Krys VanSlyke, showcasing the company’s newest solution, Power AI Search. The solution is designed to help dealers win visibility in AI-driven and generative search experiences while strengthening reputation performance and consumer trust.
Power AI Search combines AI-driven review generation, sentiment analysis, and one-to-one AI video to expand consumer generated content and elevate dealer visibility across emerging AI-shaped search platforms. While existing DAS solutions already deliver more positive reviews than competing platforms, Power AI Search pushes that performance to beyond seven times, lifting overall star ratings and driving higher AI search rankings that convert into increased lead volume.
“Dealers are no longer competing only on traditional search results,” said Venneri. “AI platforms are deciding which retailers are visible to consumers. Power AI Search was built to ensure dealers are found, trusted, and chosen in this new environment. We are honored that the dealer judges recognized the real-world impact of this solution.”
As part of NADA 2026, DAS Technology will host a live presentation of the award-winning solution today:
Winning Visibility in AI-Driven and Generative Search
(Full Presentation by Winner of the NADA Exhibitor Pitch Competition)
Thursday, February 5th at 2:20 PM PST
NADA Live Stage, West Lobby - Las Vegas Convention Center
This marks the second time DAS Technology has won the NADA Best New Product Pitch competition, making the company the first two-time winner in the history of the event. The recognition reinforces DAS Technology’s continued leadership in delivering AI-native innovation built for measurable dealer outcomes.
During NADA 2026, DAS Technology unveiled four new AI-native capabilities, including Power AI Search, AI Video Inventory Mover, Smart Quote AI, and expanded AI-driven use of more than 270 data integrations. Together, these innovations form what the company calls the DAS X Factor, a measurable unfair advantage for dealers navigating an AI-first automotive marketplace.
Dealers, partners, and media attending NADA 2026 are invited to visit DAS Technology Booth 1311W to see live demos of the award-winning solution, meet the team, and learn how DAS Technology is helping dealers win visibility, engagement, and revenue in an AI-shaped future.
For more information or to schedule a demo, visit dastechnology.com/get-demo.
About DAS Technology
DAS Technology is an AI-native customer data and experience platform built to drive results for dealers, groups and OEMs. For more than sixteen years, the company has enabled retailers to turn data and technology into better consumer experiences with measurable ROI. Its platform connects AI-driven search, engagement, lead response, social and reputation management, and customer intelligence into a single integrated one-to-one solution. DAS Technology is trusted by thousands of retailers and partners, integrates with more than 270 automotive and marketing platforms, and supports approximately 37% of U.S. automotive retail transactions. More information at dastechnology.com/nada.
DAS Technology SVP of Marketing Krys VanSlyke and Co-founder and CEO Alexi Venneri present Power AI Search ver. X during the NADA 2026 Exhibitor Best New Product Pitch Competition in Las Vegas.
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — Investigators believe the missing mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie is “still out there,” but they have not identified any suspects, a sheriff in Arizona said Thursday.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos also said DNA tests showed blood found on Nancy Guthrie ’s porch came back a match to her. Authorities think she was taken from her home in Tucson against her will over the weekend.
“Right now, we believe Nancy is still out there. We want her home,” Nanos said at a news conference five days after she was reported missing. The sheriff, however, acknowledged that authorities have no proof she is still alive.
A day earlier, Savannah Guthrie and her siblings released a message to her mother’s kidnapper, saying they are ready to talk but want proof their mom is still alive. However, there has been no public sign of a response.
In the heart-wrenching video posted on social media, Savannah Guthrie acknowledged hearing media reports about a ransom letter sent to multiple news outlets.
Investigators are taking the ransom note seriously, said Heith Janke, the FBI chief in Phoenix, who noted it included a demand for money with a deadline along with details about a flood light at the home and an Apple watch.
“To anyone who may be involved, do the right thing. This is an 84-year-old grandma,” Janke said.
Authorities say that any decision on ransom demands ultimately is up to the family.
Guthrie was last seen Saturday night when she was dropped off at her Tucson home by family after having dinner with them, the sheriff’s department said. She was reported missing about 14 hours later on Sunday after she didn’t show up at a church.
Guthrie has limited mobility, and officials don’t believe she left on her own. A sheriff’s dispatcher said during the search Sunday that Guthrie has high blood pressure, a pacemaker and heart issues, according to audio from broadcastify.com.
The neighborhood’s desert terrain can make looking for people difficult, said Jim Mason, longtime commander of a search-and-rescue team in Maricopa County that isn’t involved in the search. He said it can be hard to see into areas dense with mesquite trees, cholla cactus and desert brush.
“Some of it is so thick you can’t drive through it,” Mason said. His team was not involved in the search.
At least three media organizations have reported receiving purported ransom notes that they handed over to investigators.
A note emailed Monday to the KOLD-TV newsroom in Tucson included information that only the abductor would know, anchor Mary Coleman told CNN. It also included a dollar amount and a deadline, she said.
“When we saw some of those details, it was clear after a couple of sentences that this might not be a hoax,” she said in an interview aired Wednesday.
In her family's video message, Savannah Guthrie said they were “ready to talk."
“However, we live in a world where voices and images are easily manipulated,” she said. “We need to know without a doubt that she is alive and that you have her. We want to hear from you and we are ready to listen. Please reach out to us.”
The family posted their plea after police searched in and around Nancy Guthrie’s home for several hours Wednesday.
Investigators returned for the follow-up investigation after being at the home earlier in the week for a couple of days, said Kevin Adger, a spokesperson for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department. He said the sheriff’s department was not commenting on the family's video message.
Savannah Guthrie was emotional during the recording, with her voice cracking. She addressed her mother directly, saying the family was praying for her and that people were looking for her.
“Mommy, if you are hearing this, you are a strong woman. You are God’s precious daughter,” she said.
Savannah Guthrie described her mother as a “kind, faithful, loyal, fiercely loving woman of goodness and light” and said she was funny, spunky and clever.
“Talk to her and you’ll see,” she said.
Guthrie was flanked by her sister Annie and her brother Camron.
“Mamma, If you’re listening, we need you to come home. We miss you,” Annie Guthrie said.
President Donald Trump posted on social media that he was directing federal authorities to help where they can, after the White House said he spoke with Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday.
A couple hundred people prayed and placed lit candles on an altar during a vigil at a Tucson church.
Jeremy Thacker had tears in his eyes as he described the heartbreak and helplessness. He worked with Savannah Guthrie at an Arizona news station. They shared losing their fathers at a young age, and his own sister was kidnapped when he was young.
Thacker said he knew Nancy Guthrie to be sharp, grounded and earnest.
“We’re all holding our breath,” Thacker said.
Billeaud reported from Phoenix. Associated Press writers Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu, Hallie Golden in Seattle, Michael Hill in Albany, New York, Darlene Superville in Washington and Julie Walker in New York contributed.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos speaks at a news conference, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026, in Tucson, Ariz., to provide updates in the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie. (AP Photo/Sejal Govindarao)
Law enforcement officers are present outside the home of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of "Today" host Savannah Guthrie, near Tucson, Ariz., Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Sejal Govindarao)
FILE - Savannah Guthrie arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
This image provided by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, shows a missing person alert for Nancy Guthrie. (Pima County Sheriff’s Department via AP)
