The monthly Techwatch feature by Automotive Management outlines some of the last month's highlights in motor retail technological developments.
By Alex Wright
AutoChat has started rolling out its Nova AI tool designed to improve online appointment booking across workshop, showroom and test drive scheduling.
It will replace the traditional chatbot-style appointment flows with a more flexible and intuitive experience.
The introduction of Nova AI marks the next step by AutoChat, which has specialised in AI in automotive retail since 2019, to help dealerships reduce inbound calls and improve digital engagement.
AutoChat is introducing large language model technology into appointment scheduling to create a more natural, back-and-forth interaction.
Nova AI can guide customers dynamically through the booking process, adapting based on responses; answer questions in real-time, including those about service differences, pricing, and availability; and handle all types of dealership appointments, including workshop visits, showroom consultations, and test drives.
It can also be integrated within dealership systems, ensuring real-time scheduling availability.
By reducing these friction points that cause customers to drop off, AutoChat said that Nova AI enables more completed online bookings and fewer phone calls to the dealership.
Nova AI will be introduced step by step across AutoChat’s existing customer base, ensuring that each dealership benefits from a smooth transition and optimal performance.
“We’ve built Nova AI to enhance - not replace - what already works,” said Maarten Bekkers, founder and CEO of AutoChat. “We’ve learned a lot from real-world dealership data and user behaviour. With Nova AI, we’re making appointment scheduling even more intuitive, helping customers complete their bookings without unnecessary friction.”
Initially, Nova AI will enable website-based appointment booking, with AutoChat already working on expanding its functionality to WhatsApp and, eventually, voice-based interactions in order to deliver a fully integrated digital assistant for dealerships, thus reducing operational workload while improving customer experience.
UK Vehicle Data has officially rebranded as Vehicle Data Global.
As part of the rebrand, Vehicle Data Global is preparing to launch a range of new services aimed specifically at meeting growing UK demand for accurate and reliable residual value forecasts.
The company will now offer cross-border vehicle data access through a single unified platform, enabling customers to make informed decisions based on the latest data - wherever the vehicles are located.
“Our move to Vehicle Data Global reflects both our expanded international coverage and enhanced capabilities,” said chief technology officer Ben Hermer. “While our UK operations continue to thrive, we’re also seeing significant growth in new territories. Clients are demanding vehicle data that works seamlessly across borders, and we’re delivering just that.”
Hermer added that the company has launched the latest version of its API and control panel suite, enabling it to scale rapidly and meet the demands of high-volume customers.
The company’s offerings include high-capacity APIs and rich datasets spanning vehicle specifications, curated model data, ABI insurance codes, vehicle imagery and other specialist automotive datasets now accessible across multiple regions.
Several new services are in live testing with UK clients, with full rollout expected soon.
Intelligent Motoring’s flagship brand MotorEasy has partnered with This is Money, the Daily Mail Group’s personal finance website to launch a fully white-labelled Motoring Club for its 3.5 million monthly users.
The This is Money Motoring Club will provide members with access to MotorEasy’s suite of 11 vehicle protection, service, maintenance and repair (SMR) products, supported by a network of more than 10,000 vetted workshops nationwide.
Drivers can access various digital garage tools, offering reminders for MOTs, services and insurance renewals. A secure digital logbook also lets users store essential documents such as insurance certificates, service history and receipts, all in one place.
Exclusive partner offers include curated lease deals from Select Car Leasing and full access to MotorEasy’s range of products - from warranties and SMR solutions to breakdown cover and GAP insurance. MotorEasy’s rewards programme, which has already awarded over £2 million in vouchers to members since its launch, will also feature.
To mark the launch, Select Car Leasing is offering a six-month free lease of a Nissan Qashqai via a prize draw for club members. Select is also providing a live feed of lease deals directly into the platform.
Duncan McClure Fisher, CEO of Intelligent Motoring, said: “We’re proud to extend our long-standing partnership with This is Money by powering their new Motoring Club. This launch not only broadens MotorEasy’s reach but also validates our position as a market leader in digital vehicle ownership.”
Simon Lambert, publisher of This is Money, said: “This platform offers a new level of convenience for our readers. By integrating with MotorEasy, we’re helping users manage car ownership more effectively while delivering real savings.”
Mark Tongue, CEO of Select Car Leasing, said: “This collaboration with MotorEasy now allows us to extend our lease deals to millions of additional readers. We’re excited to be part of this launch.”
Auto Trader has added a new functionality designed to drive lead conversions by enabling retailers to display clear, FCA-compliant finance offers on new car listings, directly within its platform.
The ‘new car offers’ functionality allows dealers to present monthly payment details on new car adverts, targeted at high-intent buyers. The update is intended to make the buying process easier and to reduce the time it takes to close sales.
The feature supports Auto Trader’s push to deliver a more transparent digital retail journey, with 84% of consumers stating that comparing cars and finance options easily is critical to the purchasing decision.
The technical integration makes it easy for retailers to attach finance examples to their listings, ensuring transparent, compliant pricing at a time when demand for new cars is rising. Auto Trader has reported an 11% year-on-year increase in new car platform visits, supported by a six percent uptick in new car sales year to date.
Bex Kennett, new car performance director at Auto Trader, said: “We’re delighted to announce new car offers, which will be a powerful and seamless addition to our new car package. It’s become more important than ever that consumers are given both transparency and confidence when purchasing a brand new vehicle and this aims to do exactly that.”
Mark Busby, director of commercial operations at Hendy Group, said: “We're excited to start displaying new car finance offers on our new vehicle adverts on Auto Trader. We want to convert browsers to buyers and showing them upfront exactly what deposit contributions they'll receive from the OEM means they'll know the monthly costs of how much deposit is required - providing greater price transparency from the start of their journey and helping us to stand out in a competitive marketplace.”
Keyloop has launched a new global automotive tech podcast to help automotive industry workers keep abreast of the new technologies shaping the sector and better understand how the latest innovations can be used to their advantage.
Hosted by Jacqui Barker, Keyloop’s global OEM strategy director, Drivetime will feature a special guest on each episode to help provide clarity on how technology can be applied to industry challenges, discuss marketplace trends and address how listeners can feel more confident about transformation.
The podcast – covering everything from fuel to finance, AI to aftersales and e-commerce to EVs – will be relevant for staff at all levels in modern auto retail businesses, with topics tackled in an informative, accessible and jargon-free way.
Available to stream on all major platforms (including Apple, Spotify and Acast), and with a new episode each month, the podcast will welcome a diverse range of guests. The launch episode kicks off with Keyloop’s chief executive officer Tom Kilroy and chief revenue officer Megan Harvey discussing the challenges of connecting a global ecosystem and how to ensure technology providers support a cost-out and efficiency-in methodology, working cohesively to extract the most from it.
In subsequent episodes, RightCharge CEO Charlie Cook will explore how the industry can stay ahead of EV adoption and charging, Google’s automotive specialist Mohammed Lone will share the latest insight from Google and Sophus 3 managing director Scott Gairns will discuss how AI is transforming the car buying journey.
Barker said: “Technology can help the industry overcome its biggest challenges with a better understanding of how to deploy the right technology at the right time. The purpose of Drivetime is simple – to demystify the latest innovations and help businesses use them to unleash their full potential.”
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