10 Tech Tips for Automotive Retailers

The AWA awards spoke to us in January about innovation, demonstrating that a revolution is taking place in how we do business. They feel that to maintain a competitive edge in this world, it’s imperative that we utilize the newest and best technologies for our benefit and improvement.

There is no doubt that the automotive industry is continuously evolving, and technology plays a major role in influencing the course of the industry in the coming years. Today, it's essential for any dealership looking to remain competitive in the market to have a digital presence to succeed. That's why today we're bringing ten tech tips for dealerships in the automotive industry to consider:

1. Implement a CRM

A customer relationship management system is essential for dealerships looking to streamline their operations and improve customer satisfaction. A CRM enables dealerships to manage customer interactions and data in one centralized location, which can help improve communication and increase efficiency. With a CRM, dealerships can manage leads and automate tasks such as follow-ups and appointment scheduling.

2. Embrace digital retailing

With the rise of online shopping, dealerships must offer a convenient and seamless digital retailing experience. Dealerships can provide customers with the ability to shop for vehicles, apply for financing, and even complete transactions online. This helps improve experiences for more tech-savvy customers.

3. Strategize using data analytics

Data analytics are key for dealerships looking to gain insights into customer behavior and preferences. By collecting and analyzing data, dealerships can make informed decisions about sales and marketing strategies and tailor offers to meet their customers’ needs. Data analytics can also help dealerships understand which products are selling well and which aren't, allowing them to adjust as needed.

4. Invest in a good website

A dealership's website is often the first point of contact for potential customers, so it's crucial to have everything up-to-date, user-friendly, and mobile responsive. A good website can help dealerships showcase their products and services, provide information about financing options, and even allow customers to schedule a test drive.

5. Offer virtual test drives

With virtual reality technology, dealerships can now offer customers the ability to experience a test drive from the comfort of their own homes. Virtual test drives can provide customers with a unique and engaging experience and can also help dealerships reach a wider audience.

6. Utilize social media

Social media platforms are powerful tools for engaging with customers and building brand awareness. Dealerships can use social media to share news, promotions, and other important information, as well as to connect with potential customers. By leveraging social media, dealerships can reach a large and diverse audience or target a specific one, which could help build their brand and increase sales.

7. Utilize video marketing

Video marketing is a great way for dealerships to showcase their products and services and provide customers with an engaging and informative experience. Dealerships can create and share video content that highlights the features of their vehicles, provides information about financing options and even offers virtual tours of the dealership.

8. Automate excellent customer service

Providing thorough customer service is crucial for dealerships looking to build and maintain a strong reputation. By training their staff with the technical tools they need to provide exceptional customer service, dealerships can ensure that their customers are always heard, so they’re more likely to return in the future. Dealerships can use digital campaigns for customer feedback to better improve their service and provide better experiences.

9. Keep up with industry trends

The automotive industry is continuously evolving, so dealerships need to stay informed about the latest technology and trends. By keeping up with industry trends, dealerships can stay ahead of the competition, an example of these trends in 2023 would be the Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) or the rise in the uses of artificial intelligence (AI), which takes us to our next point…

10. Adopt conversational artificial intelligence

AI can provide customers with 24/7 support and handle a variety of tasks for automotive teams. For example, Konect.ai software can be integrated to start and follow SMS conversations, close appointments, and even automate the outbound phone call for a staff representative. This combined can help reduce workloads and sets them free to focus and be prepared for the call and to close the deal.

You can address and implement these changes when you’re ready. We know these aren't rules for success, but we're certain that automating your workflow can bring remarkable benefits to your business, and the best part is that you can always choose where to start.

Interested in seeing what automated SMS conversations can do for your dealership, feel free to reach out to our team here.

Sources:

Images by Jannoon028 via Freepik