#USA #Dearborn #FordDirect #Podium #AI-BDC

FordDirect and Podium Revolutionize Customer Engagement

In an exciting development for the automotive industry, FordDirect has entered into a partnership with Podium, a leader in AI-based customer engagement solutions. This collaboration aims to empower Ford and Lincoln retailers by integrating Podium's innovative AI BDC solution directly into FordDirect's Customer Journey Platform (CJP). The primary goal is to transform how dealerships communicate with customers, making interactions faster, more consistent, and remarkably human-like.

Addressing Industry Challenges

The automotive sector has faced numerous challenges lately, including staffing shortages and heightened competition. Consumers are increasingly demanding immediate responses from dealerships, which puts added pressure on sales teams. Eric Rea, Co-Founder and CEO of Podium, emphasized the importance of adapting to these challenges: “With dealerships navigating staffing shortages, rising competition, and growing consumer demand for immediate responses, it’s critical to respond first, maximize every opportunity, and give employees the coverage they need to focus on closing on the floor.”

This partnership provides a comprehensive communication platform that not only speaks to today’s needs but also drives measurable results. It allows dealerships to engage with customers promptly, ensuring that no lead goes unanswered, which is crucial in a competitive market.

AI-Powered Solutions

Podium's AI BDC, affectionately known by many in the industry as “Jerry,” is designed to deliver an exceptional customer experience without losing that personal touch. By leveraging over ten years of automotive industry data, the AI solution responds to inquiries instantly while maintaining the dealership's unique voice.

Some impressive results from over 1,800 dealerships that currently use Podium’s AI capabilities include:

• - 80% increase in after-hours appointments
• - 10% boost in appointment show rates
• - 70% reduction in lead response times
• - 30% improvement in lead-to-sale conversions

These statistics validate Podium’s commitment to customer engagement and reveal the significant benefits of implementing AI technology in automotive retail.

Expanding Opportunities for Dealers

Dean Stoneley, CEO of FordDirect, expressed excitement about the partnership:
“FordDirect is proud to expand our partnership with Podium to bring their AI-powered BDC solution into our nationwide network of Ford dealerships and Lincoln retailers. This partnership gives our dealers and retailers the ability to execute superior customer engagement, helping to deliver improved customer and dealer satisfaction.”

The collaboration is expected to streamline communication across various platforms, including texts, web chats, and social media. This comprehensive approach allows dealerships to automate follow-ups, respond instantly to leads, and actively engage customers at every stage of their journey— from initial contact to post-sale support.

A New Era of Customer Engagement

As Podium continues to redefine local customer engagement, Ford and Lincoln dealerships can look forward to leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences. Automating routine communications not only frees up staff to focus on closing deals but also leads to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. Many high-performing dealerships across the country are already utilizing Podium's services, and with Ford's extensive network of dealerships, the potential impact is substantial.

For more information about this transformative collaboration and to see how it can benefit your dealership, interested parties can visit Podium's dedicated site for FordDirect

As podcasters and industry experts await the results from participating dealerships, it is clear that this partnership is set to revolutionize customer engagement in the automotive sector, paving the way for more innovative solutions in the future.