AI for Car Dealerships: Insights from the ‘Furniss Fast Lane’ Podcast
- Marette Flora
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
STELLA Automotive AI CTO Stephen Brown recently joined Brooke C. Furniss on the Furniss Fast Lane podcast to discuss AI for car dealerships. They shared a candid conversation about how Stella AI is not just changing processes, but enhancing the human connections at the heart of every dealership.
Brown, who's been with STELLA AI since its inception as an AI research lab, reflected on the shifting perceptions of AI in the automotive world. Just a few years ago, dealerships questioned the need for AI. Now, the question isn't if but when and how.
"This is the next wave and everybody [is] getting together and understanding how to put these systems in place and how to work with them," Brown said.
AI: Empowering people, not replacing them
A key theme throughout the podcast was the idea of "AI super people." Stephen emphasized that AI isn't about replacing humans; it's about empowering them to be more efficient and effective. Think of Stella AI as a tireless assistant, handling mundane tasks, like answering every phone call, scheduling appointments, and managing communications, so teams can focus on building relationships and providing exceptional customer service.
"We always look at Stella as trying to give time back...time back to the advisors to work with people that are in front of them, time back to the callers [so they] don't have to wait in queue," Brown said.
Hyper-personalization
What sets STELLA AI apart is its ability to deliver hyper-personalization at scale. The AI solution doesn't just answer calls; it recognizes each customer, understands their history with the dealership, and tailors every interaction accordingly. This level of personalization creates a seamless, intuitive experience for customers, eliminating the frustration of repetitive questions and long wait times.
Seamless integration
The conversation also underscored the importance of seamless integration. STELLA AI isn't designed to operate in a silo; it's built to integrate with your existing systems, processes, and people. This collaborative approach ensures that AI enhances, rather than hinders, the human element of your dealership.
Automotive-specific expertise
Another crucial point is choosing an AI solution specifically designed for the automotive industry. STELLA AI understands the unique language, acronyms, and nuances of the automotive world, ensuring that every interaction is relevant and effective. This specialized knowledge allows AI to understand customers' needs and provide tailored solutions.
The future of AI for car dealerships
Looking ahead, Stephen emphasized Stella AI's commitment to continuous improvement and a customer-centric approach. STELLA’s goal is to empower dealerships to create a frictionless, personalized experience that benefits customers and employees.
"Properly deployed AI systems can help people get the quick response and quick answers they need without waiting," Brown said.
As Furniss pointed out in the podcast, a recent CDK study found a growing preference for AI-powered service booking, with 31% of customers already embracing this technology.
Ready to experience the Stella AI difference? Contact us today to learn how our AI-powered solutions can transform your dealership.
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