US tech firm Salesforce and electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ather Energy have jointly launched an AI-powered automotive dealer management system, marking a significant advancement in the electric vehicle (EV) market. The mobile app-based platform is engineered to empower dealers with real-time decision-making capabilities and aims to substantially enhance customer satisfaction.

The newly introduced solution directly tackles two critical pain points in the automotive retail sector: protracted customer turnaround times and a shortage of skilled workforce. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the system aspires to compress the conventional four-week customer interaction cycle, thereby streamlining operations and improving overall efficiency.

Ather Energy, which currently operates a network of 350 dealerships across the nation, intends to leverage this AI-driven platform as it continues its expansion efforts. The system is designed to meticulously track operational efficiency across a spectrum of functions, providing valuable insights for optimization and strategic planning. Moreover, Ather anticipates that the platform will play a pivotal role in accelerating lead conversion, a crucial advantage in the increasingly competitive EV market.

The core of this innovative system is built on the Salesforce platform, seamlessly integrating lead management, customer relationship management (CRM), and dealership management into a unified, scalable platform. This consolidation addresses the challenges Ather Energy faced with its previous technology stack, which, according to Chief Business Officer Ravneet S Phokela, had become fragmented, hindering scalability and adaptability to emerging technologies.

Mankiran Chowhan, a Salesforce India executive, underscored the growing importance of AI innovations in refining customer interactions, particularly as the EV market matures and customer expectations evolve. The integration of AI is seen as a pivotal step in delivering personalized and efficient service experiences.

In parallel, Ather Energy is preparing to file an updated draft red herring prospectus this week, signaling its progress toward an initial public offering (IPO). The IPO, anticipated in the first half of April, is expected to proceed at a lower valuation than initially projected, reflecting market conditions and investor sentiment.

This strategic collaboration between Salesforce and Ather Energy underscores the transformative potential of AI in the automotive industry, promising enhanced operational efficiency, improved customer experiences, and a competitive edge in the rapidly expanding EV market.