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experience for the consumer and the dealer.
When layered with CDPs, dealers are
able to utilize AI to be their most effective
communication follow-up tool.

A dealership can truly take things to the
next level when they integrate AI with
their CRM. It’s the separation of consumer
activity/action and sales team active/action
versus automation and AI. Every dealership
would greatly benefit from a deep level of
integration with all CRMs. Some people in JUST SAY NO
the industry are apprehensive about this,
whether it’s a fear of a competitive product
or just of the general unknown, but that is TO AUTO THEFT
only going to hinder dealers from being able
to really develop their strategies and keep
up with the OEMs who are already taking BY TODD SHEPARD, FOUNDER OF
action with AI tools. SHEPARD & SHEPARD INSURANCE SOLUTIONS

ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
The automotive industry will continue to Auto theft remains one of the primary CAR PLACEMENT AND BLOCKERS
see a lot of dealerships come to the market risks in the auto business. With thieves Positioning your vehicles to block exits
with some kind of AI component. But there becoming more sophisticated and and aisles. Block your higher value vehicles
are so many variations of what that means. technologically advanced, now is a good with other vehicles. Set emergency brakes,
Is it a communication style AI? A Voice AI? time to review your theft prevention crank the wheels one way or the other to
What function is it specifically performing? plan and having open conversations with the lock position making it difficult to
Is it writing vehicle comment descriptions? employees regarding loss prevention. remove wheels or tow the auto. Consider
Enhancing photos and videos? The bottom steering wheel locks.
line for a dealer is asking these kinds of KEY SECURITY
questions to ultimately figure out which AI It is best to keep all keys secured during LIGHTING
solution will help their store in operation. and after hours. Some insurance carriers Most thieves will probably tell you they

are now requiring a locking key box or prefer to bring their own light when stealing
Another thing dealers should keep in mind requiring keys be stored in a safe or even off your stuff. Spotlights, stadium lights, and
when looking at AI is to ask the prospective premises. If you are still using a standard motion sensors make it hard to sneak
company about their models and how they keyboard, maybe it’s time for an upgrade. around. If hardwiring is too expensive or
are training their data. Is it simply creating Encourage employees to report missing difficult in areas look into solar lighting.
an interface and doing an API to ChatGPT keys and never leave keys unattended or Search online. A 1000 watt solar street lamp
and calling it AI? Sometimes companies in a vehicle, over the visor, or otherwise. is affordable, reliable, and easy to install.
outsource machine learning to another
company and the data that the AI is trained LOT PROTECTION GPS TRACKING
in is not always exclusively automotive. It’s Have you fenced your lot? Many insurance GPS tracking is a popular solution to
about really understanding what AI is and carriers refuse to provide, or reduce limits locating stolen autos. Check the WSIADA
how it will be implemented at the store. on theft coverage for unfenced lots. No sponsor list for vendors in your area.
fence? Consider post and chain, large
AI IS NOT THE ENEMY rock or concrete barriers, curbing, or even PROPER INSURANCE
AI in automotive is not a replacement for shrubbery. COVERAGE AND LIMITS
anything, it is an enhancement for the entire If all fails and you become the victim
industry. It will help streamline the overall CAMERAS AND SURVEILLANCE of theft, look toward your insurance
ecosystem by applying integrations and A quality camera system is costly. A for financial recovery. Check with your
strategies that will increase employee loyalty cheaper one produces inferior video. Both insurance agent and make sure you have
and retention and significantly strengthen can act as a deterrent to would be thieves. the proper limits. n
the overall guest experience. n A system that can be monitored is most
effective. Many include an alarm or two- Todd Shepard is a regular contributor to
Jarrod Kilway is the COO of Konect.ai, way communication. It is always better to IADA publications. For a policy review
the automotive artificial intelligence (AI) frighten off a thief than to rely on video and competitive insurance quote for your
platform specially designed to increase footage after a theft occurs. dealership call 855-396-0488 or visit
customer engagement in automotive. shepquote.com.

MSIADA MISSISSIPPI DEALER Q3 2023 | 3