Podium Partners with FordDirect to Enhance Lincoln National Dealership Communication Through AI Solutions
- Podium partners with FordDirect to enhance communication for Lincoln dealerships using AI-driven solutions.
- The AI Business Development Center aims to improve operational efficiency and customer engagement for Lincoln retailers.
- Lincoln Investment Planning appoints new leaders to strengthen service offerings and market presence in financial services.
Podium Partners with FordDirect to Transform Dealership Communication
Podium, a frontrunner in AI-driven customer engagement solutions, has officially teamed up with FordDirect to integrate its AI Business Development Center (BDC) solution into the Customer Journey Platform (CJP) for Ford and Lincoln dealerships nationwide. This partnership introduces Podium's innovative AI Employee, known as Jerry, designed to enhance communication capabilities while offering exclusive pricing to participating dealerships. The integration seeks to address the challenges faced by automotive retailers, such as staffing shortages and heightened competition, by meeting the growing consumer demand for rapid and effective responses during the customer journey.
The collaboration aims to optimize communication at dealerships, thus allowing staff to focus more on sales opportunities. According to Eric Rea, Co-Founder and CEO of Podium, the AI BDC is trained on a decade's worth of automotive industry data, enabling it to respond to leads in a personalized and timely manner. This not only enriches customer experience but also significantly improves operational efficiency. Results from over 1,800 dealers using Podium's AI indicate remarkable benefits, including an 80% increase in after-hours appointments, a 10% rise in appointment show rates, a 70% reduction in lead response times, and a 30% improvement in lead-to-sale conversion rates.
Dean Stoneley, CEO of FordDirect, expresses pride in expanding their partnership with Podium, highlighting that this AI solution will enhance customer engagement and satisfaction for both dealers and consumers. This initiative marks a significant step in Podium's commitment to empowering local businesses throughout the customer journey, from the initial inquiry to fostering long-term loyalty. As the automotive industry evolves, such technological partnerships become increasingly vital in maintaining competitive advantage and improving service delivery.
In other relevant news, Lincoln Investment Planning, LLC has appointed Jason Estes as Chief Information and Technology Officer and Dan Alexander as Chief Business Development Officer, effective July 28, 2025. Estes brings over 20 years of experience in IT and digital innovation, while Alexander will focus on driving revenue growth and expanding Lincoln’s network of financial professionals. Their expertise is anticipated to play a pivotal role in enhancing Lincoln’s offerings and market presence, aligning with the firm's broader mission to deliver exceptional service to financial professionals and their clients.
