AI agent
Software that can hold a conversation and take the next step on its own, rather than just displaying information. In a dealership, an AI agent replies to an enquiry, asks the right questions, checks stock or eligibility and books the next step, then hands the conversation to a person when it reaches a decision only a human should make.
AI receptionist
An AI agent that answers incoming enquiries, most often calls, chats or messages, in place of or alongside a human receptionist. It covers the first response so an enquiry is acknowledged immediately, then routes the conversation to the right person.
See also: Switchboard, Overflow
Database reactivation
Contacting past enquiries and previous customers already in a dealership's CRM to find the ones ready to buy again. It uses records the dealership already owns, so it needs no new media spend to work.
See also: Prospect, car dealership lead generation
Speed to lead
How quickly a business responds to a new enquiry. The average UK car retailer takes 50 minutes to reply (iTrackLeads, via AM Online), and the first useful response usually has the advantage over competitors.
See also: Switchboard
Missed-call recovery
Catching sales or service calls that ring out unanswered and creating a route back to the right team, instead of losing the enquiry when nobody picks up.
See also: Overflow
Stock-triggered reactivation
Contacting past enquiries and customers again when a vehicle matching their earlier preferences becomes available, rather than waiting for them to check back.
See also: Stock Match
Dealer management system (DMS)
The core software a dealership runs its stock, sales and accounts through, such as Keyloop, Pinewood, CDK, Gemini, Dragon2000 or Dealerweb. An AI layer such as Dealership AI is designed to work alongside a DMS, not replace it.
BDC (Business Development Centre)
The team or function inside a dealership or dealer group responsible for handling internet leads and booking appointments, separate from the showroom sales team.
Car dealership lead generation
Usually sold as new traffic from ads or listings. Dealership AI uses the term more narrowly: working the enquiries and customers a dealership already has, through database reactivation and fast, consistent follow-up.
See also: the full breakdown
AI for car dealerships
Software that holds enquiry conversations automatically on a dealership's behalf: re-engaging old leads, answering new enquiries across channels, and booking ready buyers for the sales team to close.
See also: the Dealership AI homepage