As artificial intelligence continues to evolve at breakneck speeds, the most successful automotive authorities will be those that successfully integrate and leverage AI for car dealerships. This isn’t a marketing trend or platitude; it’s an insightful observation about the thrilling future of AI in automotive spaces. This year alone, AI is predicted to supersede conventional sales tools to become a primary source of automotive lead generation, customer engagement, and conversions.

Through enhanced, data-driven interactions, AI for car dealerships can offer hyper-personalized customer experiences while streamlining internal operations through predictive analytics and clever marketing campaigns. If you’re looking to level up the productivity and profitability of your car dealership, AI support from a seasoned resource like Strolid might just be your answer.

The Undeniable Impact of Auto Dealer AI: From Vehicle Production to Modern-Day UX

AI has improved the automotive world in countless ways, beginning as far back as Ford’s 1900s assembly lines and continuing with the 1982 Mercedes-Benz launch of the first AI-based anti-lock braking system in its S-Class vehicles. Since then, automotive AI has expanded to encompass the automotive production line, sales sectors, and customer service.

AI-Driven Vehicle Manufacturing

From a manufacturing standpoint, artificial intelligence is leveraged to design prototypes and simulate car performance long before production begins. Manufacturers also employ AI to weld studs onto car frames and perform vital inspections to flag cars for issues and inconsistencies. Most automakers now feature multiple AI-enhanced driver assistance systems and infotainment options to give drivers a safer and more enjoyable ride, and AI capabilities have also improved fuel efficiency and responsive handling.

Streamlined Customer Experience

Today’s shoppers crave the path of least resistance when browsing for and purchasing new items, and this is especially true of automotive customers. People searching dealerships for new or pre-owned vehicles want quick help, relevant answers, and timely follow-ups, no matter how they contact your business – and this is where AI shines. Auto dealer AI gives customers convenient access to the support they need, even when your dealership is closed or your team is unavailable. In short, AI for car dealerships earns and retains customer relationships to drive long-term profits.

Automotive AI Service vs. Automation: Which Tool Serves Dealerships Best?

As we outlined above, artificial intelligence services can be utilized to automate manufacturing processes or to foster strong customer relationships. Some automotive businesses have taken to comparing AI vs. automation to determine which produces better results, or they mistakenly but understandably believe that AI and automation are one and the same.

In reality, AI service and automation are complementary tools that, when used in conjunction with one another, provide optimal results. Incorporating both artificial intelligence and automation into automotive industry best practices isn’t just another way for businesses to maintain relevancy and keep up with trends. New technological developments in automotive AI service are vital to the continued health of your business.

Truths About Artificial Intelligence: Car Dealership Experts Weigh in

AI is rapidly transforming the operational systems of car dealerships. It’s quickly becoming an essential tool for internal efficiency, elevated customer experiences, and increased ROI – but before we dive headfirst into how AI can lead dealerships to greater profits, let’s take a moment to hear from industry leaders to see how they view the future of automotive AI service.

• The adoption of AI for car dealerships is already widespread, with recent surveys revealing that 80% of dealers are already using or plan to use AI in 2025.¹
• A 2024 survey also noted that 100% of dealerships using AI reported revenue increases within the past year.¹
• Compared to their 2024 budgets, 81% of dealerships plan to increase AI spending in 2025.¹
• Strolid anticipates that the most successful dealerships will balance automotive AI service with human experience and input.
• Experts agree that AI for car dealerships should not replace high-earning sales staff or other vital team members. Instead, this technology can offload tedious tasks, streamline daily processes, and free your dealership personnel to focus on more pressing matters.
• Balancing AI for car dealerships with customer data security and privacy is a massive challenge, but with a full-service automotive partner like Strolid, it can be done.
• Integrating new AI data management at your dealership will require a large investment of time and energy; competitive auto dealers are turning to AI car sales partners like Strolid to balance the workload.

How Many Dealerships Are Leveraging Automotive AI?

The statistics above may lead you to believe that nearly all dealerships are well-versed in automotive AI service tools and you’ve already missed the boat. Even though AI technology is not new, its adaptation and integration into the automotive industry still is. Currently, only about 31% of dealerships use artificial intelligence to manage customer relationships, with an additional 26% planning to deploy this technology in the near future.¹

Additionally, 29% report using automotive AI services for customer service and sales, though 29% plan to incorporate artificial intelligence solutions this year.¹ This trajectory is great news for dealerships across the country that are situated in close proximity to competitors, offer many of the same services and incentives, and are searching for new ways to outpace their rivals, because it means that they still have opportunities to join the automotive AI revolution before the vast majority of dealers catch on.

Addressing AI Concerns in Automotive Spaces

It would be too simplistic to outline the rise and advantages of AI for car dealerships without also discussing its distinct challenges. Today’s automotive retailers are under tremendous pressure to overperform, and adding AI tools to the mix can make daily operations nearly impossible. Many potential Strolid clients reach out with concerns, and if you’re looking to integrate artificial intelligence or partner with an AI-driven BDC, you might worry about these items as well:

• Data privacy, including cyberattacks, leaks, and data breaches
• High implementation costs from upfront investment to ongoing maintenance
• Overly complex integration with existing dealership communication systems
• Necessary employee upskilling to keep pace with changing processes
• Ethical use of AI, particularly addressing biased AI outcomes and discrimination
• Potential job displacement for customer service and finance staff

While new technology always carries inherent risk, there are proven pathways that can circumvent most if not all of the above concerns – particularly when you work alongside a BDC partner like Strolid, who understands the ethical, regulatory, and budgetary implications of AI car sales solutions. Below, you’ll find an overview of the many ways Strolid can mitigate risk factors in automotive AI service, as well as a starting point for your business to learn more about Strolid’s robust solutions.

How AI Can Lead Dealerships to Greater Profits: The Strolid Method

At their core, automotive dealerships are direct-to-consumer retail locations, which means they need reliable, efficient methods of communicating with their current and potential consumers. However, without strategic engagement systems in place, dealerships run the expensive risk of alienating patrons, damaging their reputations, and losing out on profits.

Rather than relying on sub-par technology with generic responses and inferior communication or tasking your dealership’s sales department with building and staffing an entire AI team, consider partnering with a professional business development center, or BDC, like Strolid. By handling tasks like managing inbound and outbound calls, setting appointments, and supervising active customer retention, Strolid BDC helps you save time and make more money.

Not only do our BDC partners support your business with operational tasks, but they can also identify qualified leads. If you need help deciphering when a lead is a lead, the knowledgeable team at Strolid is here to guide you. Invest in tailored car dealership AI that’s actually designed to help you grow your business, and you’ll gain a leg up on your competition.

Embrace the Future of AI in the Automotive Industry

Artificial intelligence technology has proven to be an invaluable tool for automobile innovation, production, marketing, and sales. You have the chance to take advantage of the latest evolution of automotive retail and outperform your competitors – but without proper support, we know that AI can feel daunting.

Instead of tasking your dealership’s sales department with building and staffing an entire AI team, consider partnering with a professional business development center, or BDC, like Strolid. By handling tasks like managing inbound and outbound calls and setting appointments to supervising active customer retention, an expert BDC can save you more time and make you more money.

Not only do BDC partners support your business with these operational tasks, but they can also save your sales team time identifying qualified leads. If you need help deciphering when a lead is a lead, the knowledgeable team at Strolid is here to guide you. When your business can focus its attention on qualified leads, you’ll begin to see a much higher ROI.

Contact the Strolid team today to explore your options and learn more about how our support and AI auto sales practices can help your team flourish and your profit margins soar. We can also discuss the cost of an automotive BDC for a dealership of your size and how partnering with our team can transform your business and give you a competitive edge.

Start Your Strolid AI Integration Today

Artificial intelligence technology has proven to be an invaluable tool for automobile innovation, production, marketing, and sales. You have the chance to take advantage of the latest evolution of automotive retail and outperform your competitors – but without proper support, we know that AI can feel daunting. Contact us today to learn more about our company’s history, explore our cutting-edge solutions, and learn more about how AI can lead dealerships to greater profits.

We can also discuss the cost of an automotive BDC for a dealership of your size and how partnering with our team can transform your business. Discovery calls are complimentary, so reach out now to join the future of AI for car dealerships.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is AI used in the automobile industry?

Automotive AI service gives dealerships the ability to reduce redundant tasks, create more streamlined customer buying experiences, and utilize marketing budgets more efficiently. Leveraging car dealership AI within marketing and sales departments can also unlock new levels of customer personalization, internal efficiency, and data-backed decision-making to enhance marketing efforts and deliver the right content to the right audience at the right time.

What are the benefits of AI in the automotive industry?

There are multiple benefits of AI for car dealerships, including statistics on how AI can lead dealerships to greater profits. In short, car dealership AI can automate repetitive tasks, increase efficiency, keep tabs on trade-in-ready vehicles and end-of-lease cycles, inform targeted marketing campaigns, and interpret data to predict buying trends. Harness the power of AI for car dealerships today by contacting Strolid.

How can businesses use AI to gain a competitive advantage in the automotive industry?

Not only can artificial intelligence be used by auto dealerships to generate qualified leads and improve online customer experiences, but AI-driven tools can also collect valuable data to highlight customer needs within the sales funnel and help businesses create more targeted marketing content. Successfully implementing AI car sales practices like those we offer to our Strolid clients could greatly increase profit margins.

How can AI help car dealerships earn greater profits?

Most clients ask how AI can lead dealerships to greater profits during their complimentary Strolid discovery calls, and the answer is simple: When properly implemented, AI for car dealerships can increase ROI by alleviating manual workflows, providing algorithmic data insights, informing marketing content at every point of the sales funnel, answering consumer questions with customer assistance chatbots, and monitoring online social feedback.

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¹Reference to this third-party review/claim is solely for informational purposes and not to be relied upon. For more details, please visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/edgarsten/2024/11/19/survey-reveals-dealers-are-boosting-ai-use-to-boost-revenue/