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GardX has launched a new digital solution, called Sales AI into the UK auto sector, which it says is designed to enable an automotive retailer’s sales team to focus 100% on converting appointments and qualified leads and provide consistent lead follow up. The AI-based lead management platform was first introduced in the US, where dealers have reported a 30% rise in their conversion-to-sale level and a 23% increase in appointments being set.

Many dealer groups have introduced e-commerce functionality on their website to support the change in consumer buying habits. Sales AI enhances this proposition by linking the response back to the vehicle display page, as well as the option of booking an appointment. It will further qualify a customer asking questions about their part exchange and conduct regular follow up communications for up to 51 days after the initial lead is submitted or until engagement from a customer.

All digital leads submitted from any source is automatically responded to within two minutes, around the clock 365 days a year. Sales AI then answers any initial questions the customer may have and moves the lead forward allowing the customer to take control of their shopping experience and interact with the retailer on their terms.

Sales AI was developed after US dealers found that just 11% of digital lead enquiries led to a sale. And with 45% of retailer leads being submitted once the retailer had closed the AI technology also ensures out of hours enquiries are consistently followed up in a professional and personal manner

There were several reasons found for conversion levels to be that low such as the sales team’s capacity, busy periods leading to a backlog of enquiries, excessive time being taken to get back to prospects, and retailers lacking a consistent follow up process.

GardX’s technology partner SpinCar (now Impel) acquired the Georgia-based AI company in April 2021 after a successful 12 month’s period as a reseller. As SpinCar's (now Impel) exclusive UK technology partner, the company says this is the first time AI conversational technology has been made available to UK retailers and will provide a far better experience for consumers.

SpinCar (now Impel) has been our technology partner since 2015 and its AI technology takes lead management to the next level. With consumers spending more time than ever online researching before purchasing a vehicle it is important that a retailer’s sales team has the knowledge, systems, and processes in place to manage these leads effectively,” said GardX’s Victor (Billy) Coutin.

“89% of online enquiries not being converted into a sale is a sobering statistic. Sales AI plays an integral part in supporting the retailer’s sales team in converting digital leads firstly into appointments, whether that be face-to-face, digitally, and/or road tests, and then into actual sales,” he added.