3 Min ReadApril 9, 2024

Leverage AI for a More Efficient Front Office

Leverage A I for a More Efficient Front Office.

Today, dealers echo one refrain in terms of their top strategy: Deliver a terrific customer experience. It’s become one of the key findings of CDK’s Friction Points Study, and this year, 84% of dealers say they’ll increase their focus on customer experience as they believe it’s essential to stay competitive and grow their business.

As their lots are finally filling with inventory and sales volume is increasing, it’s more important than ever to reestablish processes and examine areas that need improvement.

The Data and Analytics team at CDK looked at Customer Relationship Management system traffic and found that dealerships actually receive their highest number of leads from the phone and internet while their teams are actively selling to other customers.

Then, when they’re not actively selling, 87% of their sales staff is turning around to follow up on leads.

With that data in mind, it begs the question: What’s the best use of time for your dealership agents to generate the most efficient process, the happiest customers, and the most sales?

Increase Staff Efficiency and Simplify Lead Management

Knowing a sales staff is engaged so heavily in the lead process it makes sense to maintain a workload that’s as efficient as possible. Artificial intelligence is the fastest way to accurately respond to specific questions that come from leads in a timely manner.

In a recent study, it was estimated that 29% of labor time can be automated using AI. In dealerships, this is exceptionally valuable as Sales associates spend much of their time working through hundreds of leads per month. Free up associates to focus on higher priority tasks and you’ll improve employee retention and deliver better customer service.

Create a Personalized Customer Experience With AI

Poor customer service can occur at any time throughout the shopping process, but how often do dealerships miss the opportunity to sell a car when the misstep occurs within minutes of their first interaction? When consumers are shopping for their next vehicle, it’s likely they’ll reach out with questions. Does the car come with side airbags? Which trim level comes with leather? And, of course, is this car still available?

If the first impression of the dealership is an automated response with no acknowledgement of the customer’s questions, you can lose an opportunity quickly. To increase consumer satisfaction and loyalty, dealers must provide a more proactive and customized level of engagement. Dealers can give customers the experience they want by combining the right AI technology with customer-focused approaches. Stores that use AI to enhance their current processes will have a competitive advantage.

Ensure Dealership Success With AI

CDK leverages AI sensibly, to tackle the real challenges dealers face today, and we do it seamlessly to enhance existing workflows. There’s no need to learn entirely new and separate tools. In the front office, CDK unlocks AI to assist in equity mining, deliver useful insights into your customers’ journey, and deliver predictive suggestions to your teams to assist their customers. AI is an incredible technology with game-changing implications, and a trusted partner can help dealers realize its benefits.

Share This

Amber Good
By Amber Good
Lead Product Marketer, CRM

Amber is responsible for the implementation and go-to-market strategies for current and new CRM offerings for CDK Global. With over 17 years of experience in the automotive industry, she’s excited to highlight dealership needs and support them with innovative solutions.  

Recent Insights

How Generations Like to Buy Electric Vehicles. Online versus In Person.

How Generations Like To Buy EVs: Online vs. In Person

Today, the automotive retail landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with vehicle technology, consumer preference and politics playing crucial...
3 Min ReadJul 17CDK Global
Dealerships Should Always Approach Electric Vehicle Sales Differently.

Dealerships Should Always Approach EV Sales Differently

Today, there may be an elevated interest in electric vehicles as incentives are set to expire on Oct. 1. But...
4 Min ReadJul 14CDK Global
The Race Is On for Used electric vehicles.

The Race Is On for Used EVs

New federal tax guidelines in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminate both the new and used electric vehicle tax...
3 Min ReadJul 10CDK Global
Car Shoppers’ Aversion to Sharing Their Info Online.

Car Shoppers’ Aversion to Sharing Their Info Online

While it’s no surprise car buyers want to test-drive a vehicle in person, it’s surprising how few are willing to...
3 Min ReadJul 8CDK Global
C D K Foundations Suite. The Core of a Connected Dealership.

CDK Foundations Suite: The Core of a Connected Dealership

In This ArticleWhat’s the CDK Foundations Suite?Core CapabilitiesWho’s the Right Fit for the Foundations Suite? What’s New in the Foundations Suite?How...
4 Min ReadJul 2CDK Global
Dig Deeper Into Your Fixed Ops Digital Toolbox.

Dig Deeper Into Your Fixed Ops Digital Toolbox

Vehicle technology has evolved from mechanical systems to software-driven machines. Today’s vehicles run on sensors, diagnostics and over-the-air updates. Maintenance...
3 Min ReadJul 1Lindsey D. Bona
Car Buyer Satisfaction Tanks in June

Car Buyer Satisfaction Tanks in June

CDK’s three years of tracking car shoppers’ opinions on the purchase process has never seen a monthly drop as large...
3 Min ReadJun 26David Thomas
How Car Dealership Photography Can Maximize Vehicle Sales.

How Car Dealership Photography Can Maximize Vehicle Sales

Gone are the days of grainy newspaper classifieds. CDK data shows that nearly 90% of shoppers are enticed to start...
3 Min ReadJun 18CDK Global
Road Tripping and Overcoming EV Range Anxiety.

Road Tripping and Overcoming EV Range Anxiety

With electric vehicles inching closer and closer to price parity with gas-powered and hybrid vehicles, interest in EVs has skyrocketed....
4 Min ReadJun 13CDK Global
Don’t Flub the Dealership Test Drive.

Why Dealerships Can't Afford To Flub the Test Drive

Nearly everyone who buys a car takes it for a test drive before they close the deal, 91% of all car...
2 Min ReadJun 11CDK Global