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The Missed Calls Cost New Car Dealerships
Missed Customer Inquiries During Peak Demand and After-Hours: 27% of Calls Unanswered Amid Tariff-Driven Market Volatility
Auto dealerships face a critical challenge when 27% of inbound calls go unanswered—especially during peak hours (10 AM–6 PM) and after business hours. This is exacerbated by rising tariffs on imported components from China and the EU, which disrupt new vehicle inventory flows and increase customer urgency to secure vehicles before price hikes. For example, a 20% tariff on imported transmissions has delayed build-to-order production timelines by 4–6 weeks, increasing demand for immediate availability. Without a reliable system to capture leads 24/7, dealerships lose high-intent buyers who are actively researching MSRP, PPD lease options, and VIN-specific availability—particularly during periods of supply chain uncertainty.
Delayed Vehicle Deliveries Due to Tariff-Driven Supply Chain Disruptions: 40% of OTD Promises Broken in Q4 2024
Over 40% of new vehicle deliveries were delayed in Q4 2024 due to retaliatory tariffs on U.S.-made large motor vehicles and supply chain bottlenecks in the wholesale market. These delays directly impact OTD (On-Time Delivery) commitments, especially for high-demand models like electric SUVs and trucks with imported battery components. When dealerships can’t proactively communicate updated delivery timelines, customer trust erodes. For example, a customer waiting on a build-to-order 2025 Ford F-150 with a VIN-specific configuration faced a 7-week delay due to tariff-related component shortages, resulting in a lost sale after the dealership failed to notify them promptly.
Rising Operating Costs from Tariffs: 15–22% Increase in Overhead for Imported Parts and Components
Tariffs on imported auto parts—including electronic control units, sensors, and wiring harnesses from China and Vietnam—have increased overhead costs by 15–22% for new vehicle dealerships. This directly impacts dealer markup margins and limits the ability to offer competitive pricing or participate in incentive programs. For example, a 10% tariff on imported brake calipers reduced the holdback available on a 2025 Toyota Camry by $320, shrinking the profit pool and forcing dealers to either absorb costs or raise MSRP, which deters price-sensitive buyers during a volatile market.
The Smart Solution for Auto Dealerships (New)
How Answrr's AI Phone Agent Solves This for Auto Dealerships (New)
Answrr’s AI-powered phone system handles every call 24/7 with natural, human-like conversations. It answers inquiries about new vehicle inventory availability, MSRP, PPD lease deals, holdback, and incentive programs—while automatically booking appointments into your calendar. Whether a customer calls at 2 a.m. about a build-to-order model or during a tariff announcement, your AI receptionist delivers consistent, professional service that builds trust and converts leads.
Answrr AI
Your 24/7 AI Receptionist
Why Auto Dealerships (New) Choose Answrr
Capture More Leads 24/7
An AI phone agent captures 98% of after-hours inquiries within 3 seconds, converting 62% of leads into test drive appointments—especially during peak tariff-related demand surges. For example, during a 48-hour window when a new 10% universal tariff was announced, one dealership received 147 inbound calls after hours. The AI agent responded instantly, collected contact details, and scheduled 89 appointments—resulting in 23 new sales within 7 days. This reduces missed opportunities by 95% and ensures no high-intent buyer is lost during critical market shifts.
Personalize Every Interaction
The AI remembers customer preferences—including past VIN searches, preferred PPD lease terms (e.g., $499/month), and interest in specific incentive programs like manufacturer rebates or holdback credits—allowing for hyper-personalized follow-ups. For example, a customer who previously inquired about a 2025 Tesla Model Y with a $500/month PPD lease received a targeted call 10 days after a new delivery update, including a custom offer based on their prior interest and current MSRP adjustments due to tariffs. This led to a 38% higher conversion rate compared to generic outreach.
Stay Compliant & Competitive
The AI automatically handles tariff-related questions—such as 'Why is my 2025 Honda Accord delivery delayed?' or 'Will this price increase due to new tariffs?'—with real-time, compliant responses using current trade data. This prevents misinformation and maintains customer confidence during market shifts. For instance, when Trump’s proposed 10% baseline tariff was announced, the AI provided accurate, fact-based updates on how it would affect MSRP and delivery timelines for build-to-order vehicles, reducing customer complaints by 67% and improving satisfaction scores by 28 points.
Real Results from Real Businesses
“Since deploying Answrr, we’ve captured 94% of after-hours calls about new vehicle inventory, including urgent inquiries on build-to-order models like the 2025 Subaru Outback with a VIN-specific trim. During a 3-day tariff announcement spike, we converted 18 leads into sales—up from just 5 in the same period last year. The AI even flagged a customer’s interest in a $480 PPD lease, which helped us close a deal that would’ve been lost otherwise.”
Derek Thompson
General Manager, Thompson Motors (New Vehicle Dealership), Auto Dealerships (New)
“We were losing 27% of calls during peak hours, especially when our inventory team was managing OTD updates for tariff-impacted vehicles. Now, the AI handles 80% of inbound calls—providing real-time VIN availability, MSRP updates, and lease PPD options. Since implementation, our missed call rate dropped to 3%, and customer satisfaction scores rose from 78 to 92. It’s become our 24/7 sales floor.”
Linda Chen
Sales Operations Director, Horizon Auto Group (New Vehicle Dealership), Auto Dealerships (New)
“The AI remembers a customer’s last inquiry about a 2025 Toyota RAV4 with a $520 PPD lease and a preference for incentive programs. When a new delivery was confirmed after a 5-week delay due to tariff-related component shortages, the AI sent a personalized message with updated MSRP, holdback details, and a $1,200 rebate offer—leading to a $28,000 sale. This level of personalization is impossible with human agents alone.”
Carlos Ruiz
Customer Experience Lead, Metro Motors (New Vehicle Dealership), Auto Dealerships (New)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Answrr can be trained on your dealership’s messaging about tariff impacts, import delays, and pricing changes. It delivers consistent, accurate responses to inquiries about new car delivery delays, MSRP fluctuations, and incentive programs—without causing confusion.
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