The monthly Techwatch feature by Automotive Management outlines a few of the last month’s highlights in motor retail technological developments.
By Alex Wright
Keyloop and Marketing Delivery have integrated the enquiryMAX lead management system (LMS) and VoiceBox systems to assist dealers capture a greater volume of leads from untapped sources.
The event enables enquiryMAX to gather customer details from a wider range of sources including social media, email campaigns and website forms.
It also reduces manual re-keying by mechanically uploading information from channels that previously didn’t feed into the LMS.
A key application is the handling of lost leads. When a sales team marks a customer as lost, VoiceBox triggers a tailored email with a “Yes I’m still looking” button. If clicked, the shopper record is updated in enquiryMAX, the lead is reactivated and the retailer is notified to schedule a follow-up. Once re-engaged, the shopper receives communications akin to stock alerts, while the retailer’s customer relationship management system is updated with personalised notes on which VoiceBox emails were sent and whether or not they were opened.
Marketing Delivery found that 35% of lost enquirers responded to say they were still available in the market, with lost sales emails achieving a 56% open rate and 17% click rate in Q2 2025.
Keyloop has also partnered with AI specialist Kortical to assist dealers retain customers that reach the top of their vehicle finance agreements, or that need or need to renew early. As a part of the exclusive recent five-year agreement, Kortical will embed recent artificial intelligence (AI) tools into Keyloop’s existing customer retention software. The primary motor retailers to make use of the Kortical tools have achieved a median 7.1% improvement in overall finance renewal rates.
Real-time performance tracking will allow managers to simply monitor the effectiveness of their renewal campaigns through user-friendly Keyloop digital dashboards that access the Kortical evaluation. Users can use these insights to make their sales campaigns simpler, for instance by mechanically choosing groups of consumers in defined locations and with chosen demographic characteristics which are known by the Kortical evaluation to make them more more likely to purchase an electrical vehicle.
Adrian Nash, chief product officer at Keyloop, said: “Collaborating with Kortical means we are able to offer something recent and modern to finance providers and their retail partners, boosting the efficiency of the sales process and helping staff spend more time on customers with the very best levels of purchase intent. Retailers can even use the info to discover those more than likely to convert to an EV, helping them meet recent targets for uptake of plug-in vehicles.”
Andy Gray, co-founder and CEO at Kortical, said: “We consider AI should deliver real, measurable results and that’s exactly what this partnership with Keyloop is all about. By embedding our machine learning into Keyloop’s retention tools, we’re helping dealerships connect with the fitting customers at the fitting time with the fitting vehicle. It’s transforming how finance retention works within the UK and it’ll be exciting to see how we are able to deliver the identical impact globally.”
iVendi has launched recent technology that gives dealers with their very own online motor finance price comparison tool for automobile buyers. Finance Navigator for Consumers produces results from across all participating lenders in each dealer’s panel in under 10 seconds, showing monthly payments, indicative and actual finance rate, likelihood of approval and more.
iVendi chief executive James Tew said: “Essentially, it means each dealer has a person online price comparison tool covering their lender panel that the buyer can use to evaluate the finance selections on offer exactly as they’d when buying home or travel insurance.”
iVendi’s data shows that, to this point, the dealer version of Finance Navigator is driving finance acceptance rates for automobile buyers up from a median of fifty% to between 90-100% depending on lender. Tew said that the brand new technology matches consumer risk profiles and lenders’ risk appetite closer than ever before. As a substitute of the dealer or the client having to acquire a series of finance quotes, they will now get a comprehensive picture with the likelihood of an approval in seconds.
Pinewood.AI has launched a collection of interactive reporting tools inside its Automotive Intelligence Platform, aimed toward helping retailers and OEMs optimise day by day operations and improve profitability.
The brand new business intelligence (BI) application provides multiple dashboards that deliver advanced insights across all areas of the business. Key performance indicators might be viewed from enterprise level through to individual departments, giving dealers an image of performance and opportunities for improvement.
BI is being offered in two packages. Essential Insights is a suite of reports covering day-to-day operations, while a second bespoke option provides tailored metrics, visuals and custom reports embedded into the Pinewood Automotive Intelligence Platform.
The BI application went live in aftersales last month, with dashboards for work in progress, bookings, parts, technician performance and vehicle health checks. Accounting and sales dashboards might be rolled out in the approaching months.
Mad Devs has launched an AI-powered upgrade to its iTrackLEADS platform to assist motor retailers improve their handling of sales leads. It integrates intelligent automation directly into the lead management process, providing substantial gains in efficiency, accuracy and sales performance.
Designed to assist dealers work smarter, iTrackLEADS-AI eliminates most of the manual, repetitive tasks that always bathroom down sales teams. Tasks akin to lead capture, scoring and follow-up at the moment are automated, freeing up staff to deal with higher-value interactions with in-market buyers.
By drawing on data from multiple touchpoints, including website activity, email engagement and demographics, the AI engine scores and prioritises leads based on their likelihood to convert. The advanced targeting ensures sales teams spend time on the fitting prospects, improving each lead quality and conversion rates. The combination also enables personalisation at scale. From tailored email content to AI-driven chat interactions, dealers can now deliver a more relevant and fascinating customer experience.
The iTrackLEADS-AI module is being trialled with a select group of dealers, with early feedback used to tell its development. With predictive analytics and enhanced reporting, sales managers gain deeper insights into customer behaviour and might forecast performance with greater confidence.
Mad Devs has also launched a brand new technology platform that protects buyers and dealers in a stricter compliance environment. iConvert adds more tools to its Connect modular technology platform, enabling buyers to make informed decisions independently, with access to product videos, compliance safeguards and personalised deal stacking.
Transactions are accomplished through a customer portal to make sure compliance and transparency. Every element of the sale is stored and accessible to the client and dealership staff. The simple-to-use portal has proven popular with customers, with greater than 75% usage in trials. Data from an initial pilot shows that the less interference a buyer has through the sales process, the upper the sales penetration.
The platform integrates with Mad Devs’ lead management technology, iTrackLEADS and a customer portal that permits buyers to review and sign documents online. The software has been developed to integrate easily into leading dealer management systems and Connect, Mad Devs’ customer journey management system. Addressing dealers’ concerns regarding GDPR, FCA compliance, and disclosure requirements, Connect uses cloud-based technology to offer a comprehensive audit trail that confirms consumers have independently reviewed all information and made informed decisions.
PistonHeads has launched its recent mobile app, enhancing the platform’s functionality, personalisation and real-time engagement. The app marks a significant step forward within the platform’s evolution, bringing live auctions, smart classified features, and an all-new user experience to enthusiasts and automobile buyers alike. The app makes it more convenient for users to go looking for used cars, bid on live auctions, make offers, save favourite cars and searches, and sell vehicles directly on their phone. The app features easy saved search notifications that alert users of their next automobile as soon as recent listings go live, alongside app-exclusive competitions and a personalised content feed.
Live auctions are one other key feature within the app experience, offering real-time bidding on a wide selection of cars — from modern classics to high-performance icons. Alongside auctions, the make a proposal functionality provides a versatile alternative to traditional listings, giving buyers and sellers more control and convenience.
Autoguard Group has launched a brand new customer app designed to simplify vehicle repairs, warranty plan management and dealer services. It provides drivers with an all-in-one platform to administer their vehicle protection plans, book repairs and track progress in real-time. It also connects users to trusted repairers inside the Autoguard repairer network, filtered by location, while offering account management tools and secure storage for vehicle documents.
The app has been built with transparency and accessibility in mind, offering features akin to a repair tracker, the flexibility to administer multiple protection plans, secure self-service account functions, reminders for MOTs and insurance renewals, and push notifications to maintain customers informed. It also delivers curated news and guides to assist users make higher decisions about their vehicle care.
Novaco AI has launched Nova Messaging, a system that lets customers book workshop visits, showroom appointments and test drives directly through WhatsApp. The tool integrates with dealer management systems in order that bookings made within the app are mechanically registered. It may well also handle routine queries akin to opening hours, service updates and vehicle stock availability, reducing call volumes for employees.
The system can even connect with dealer databases to automate outbound contact that may normally require phone calls, enabling retailers to extend booking efficiency and make higher use of accessible workshop capability. Maarten Bekkers, founder and chief executive of Novaco AI, said: “With Nova Messaging, you could have the channel that customers are already using day by day and the chance to proactively reach them before they pick up the phone.”
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
