AI Auto BDC combines two integral components that can elevate any dealership to new heights: artificial intelligence and human insights. A 2024 study revealed that 80% of dealerships across the U.S. and Canada are already using or plan to deploy AI in automotive BDC,1 but unfortunately, many don’t pair their tech-driven systems with human input – a must-have to gain the best results.
Thanks to countless hours of research and in-the-field analysis, the BDC professionals at Strolid recognize that AI can be a transformative force, but only if we aren’t focused on replacing people with machines. Instead, best practices demand that we commit to empowering dealerships with AI-driven yet human-centric solutions.
If you manage a car dealership and your mindset has recently shifted from “Does my store need AI?” to “How can I find an AI Auto BDC that’s an all-in-one solution?” you’re in the right place. Today, we’re exploring how Strolid is leading the charge toward improved BDC communication, how our approach is rooted in AI + human empathy in BDC, and the astounding results that follow.
The Human Side of AI: Automotive Best Practices
AI Auto BDC is a fairly new term – after all, artificial intelligence has only recently taken center stage in the realm of customer communications – but some people have the mistaken belief that an automated “set it and forget it” AI program can replace human input. At Strolid, we make AI work with our team, not instead of our team, to give our customers the best of both worlds.
Within our company, we practice human-centric AI Auto BDC to give our dealership customers the best possible gains. In short, our AI Auto BDC is an artificial-intelligence-powered Business Development Center specifically designed for car dealerships that matches tech-driven abilities with human intellect. Its primary benefits include:
- Instant, 24/7 responses to customer inquiries
- AI-automated task management, from lead engagement to customer communication and appointment setting
- Data-driven insights that improve sales conversions and customer satisfaction
- Cross-channel follow-ups to SMS messages, emails, and chat sessions
- CRM integration to streamline workflows and reduce burdens on human staff
Why AI Auto BDC Works: A Dealership Case Study
Strolid is an AI Auto BDC, so naturally, we’re fans of this combination human + AI strategy as a way to boost your dealership’s sales – but rather than expect you, a discerning business owner or marketing manager, to take our word at face value, we’d rather illustrate these BDC best practices with a real-life example.
Picture a mid-sized automotive dealership in the U.S. city of your choice. This particular store struggles month after month with lead conversions and follow-up efficiency. The dealership team relies on monthly email campaigns to reach out to customers and an internal CMS to track leads. They can pinpoint their problems, as you’ll see below, but aren’t sure how to solve them.
The Problems
- High volume of online leads
- An overwhelmed internal BDC team
- Inconsistent follow-ups and missed opportunities
- Difficulty identifying the highest-potential leads
The AI-Driven Solutions
- Intelligent Lead Scoring: An AI Auto BDC will analyze customer interactions and historical data to predict which leads are most likely to convert.
- Automated, Personalized Outreach: Automated systems can send customized emails and messages to engage prospects and maintain consistent communication.
- Optimal Timing: An AI-driven model can suggest the best times for follow-ups, ensuring timely engagement with potential buyers.
Balancing AI and Human BDC: Teamwork at Its Finest
Clearly, a combination of artificial and human intelligence delivers the strongest results, but what methods should an AI Auto BDC employ to get started? Strolid believes in AI that supports – not replaces – BDC agents. Sounds fantastic in theory, but let’s take a closer look at how Strolid representatives actually accomplish these feats with AI by their sides.
AI Transcription in Automotive BDC
In automotive customer service, you’re constantly listening to and empathizing with concerns, but it would also be helpful to take detailed notes that could inform future communications. Strolid makes it easy to keep accurate records of customer interactions by leveraging AI to transcribe notes. Our AI transcription logs and tracks all your dealership calls, emails, texts, and replies, then analyzes them for sentiment and important data to help us generate more personalized campaigns and responses in the future.
AI + Human Empathy in BDC
Another critical aspect of Strolid’s AI Auto BDC is human empathy. While artificial technology itself cannot commiserate with a customer, it can identify points of frustration during conversations, highlight moments of disconnect, and repurpose those moments for targeted training and process improvement. This ensures our team is better equipped to handle challenging situations and ultimately gives your dealership customers higher satisfaction.
How AI Supports BDC Agents
Artificial intelligence was never designed to replace human interaction or input entirely, especially not in our current era. If real people are completely hands-off, AI has no one to steer its ship. A prime example of how AI supports BDC agents is through customer response times. Rather than task your team with immediately answering every inbound call, email, text, or chat question, an AI Auto BDC could handle the majority of these tasks – even when you’re closed – and free up your staff to close in-person sales.
Strolid VCON Technology: The Foundation of Our AI Auto BDC
Our AI Auto BDC company is able to seamlessly balance AI and human input largely because of our VCON, or Virtual Conversation, technology. VCON is the cornerstone of the Strolid difference. It serves as a bridge between human interactions and AI analysis, securely stores all data within our Conserver, and improves the overall customer experience. Our VCON system also equips Strolid representatives to achieve these key objectives:
- Enhanced Customer Engagement: By comprehensively capturing and analyzing customer interactions, Strolid ensures our team can provide more personalized and efficient customer service.
- Continuous Improvement: The insights derived from AI analysis empower Strolid to continuously improve customer service, training programs, and operational efficiency.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: Data from VCON supports data-driven decision-making, enabling Strolid to adapt to changing customer needs and market dynamics.
- Future-Proofing: By working toward internet standardization, Strolid positions itself for long-term relevance and adaptability in the digital landscape.
Get Human + AI in BDC With Strolid
Automotive AI BDC companies like Strolid are carving new pathways within the automotive industry. We have the unique ability to tap into every conversation channel and provide incredibly valuable insights that no other business offers at this time. Strolid analyzes the stored interactions in VCONs and our Conserver to define sentiment, inventory demand, lead data, phone data, conversion rates, engagement rates, and more.
If you also believe that AI should be harnessed to reduce menial, time-consuming tasks, your dealership might be a perfect fit for Strolid AI Auto BDC. Our technology and strategic approach allow our team to focus on what truly matters: building meaningful relationships with your customers, delivering exceptional service, and boosting your reputation and profits.
Reach out to Strolid today with any questions – schedule a call with Strolid for a complimentary demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can a dealership ensure compliance when using AI for customer communications in the automotive space?
To ensure compliance with AI in automotive customer communication, dealerships must prioritize data security, implement robust opt-in and opt-out management, and stay updated on relevant regulations. Strolid more than abides by these best practices through the use of our secure VCON system and Conserver data management. Our AI Auto BDC team also trains regularly to maintain compliance as it evolves.
How accurate are AI transcriptions in real-time calls?
Strolid VCON transcriptions are extremely accurate, not only in noting exact words and phrases used by our team and your customers but also in recognizing trends, patterns, sentiments, and potential areas for improvement. Our VCON AI technology then takes this accuracy a step further by analyzing moments of difficulty, assessing customer feelings, and using this data to enhance training and processes.
Is this approach better than full automation?
We wholeheartedly believe that a dual AI and human approach to BDC delivers superior results: You can review our BDC AI vs. automation findings here. Full automation cannot “learn” from human input and therefore often fails. Our dealership clients, however, consistently experience increased customer satisfaction, reduced internal workloads, and overall higher sales when they choose to integrate our AI Auto BDC program into their existing CRMs.
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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/