The automotive industry is facing a huge wave of changes that could have adverse effects on the entire supply and sales chain. Variability in production, geopolitical instability, and adjustments in legislation regarding emissions create unexpected pressures on both manufacturers and dealers.

Analysts estimate that the automotive software market will continue to grow. According to research by Data Bridge Market Research, the global automotive software market is expected to grow to 119.53 billion USD by 2031 at an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 17.70%.

This trend reflects the growing digitization and technological advancements in the automotive industry. At the same time, consumer behaviour is changing. As confirmed by the Global Automotive Consumer Study by Deloitte, customers are increasingly interested in alternative ownership models, autonomous driving, and environmental goals.

These changes require car dealers to adapt their sales models, utilize new sales channels, and consolidate. And this is where effective sales and marketing management become key. How can Automotive CRM help you face these challenges?

Get to know Automotive CRM for car dealers on the Microsoft AppSource website. Or contact us directly, and we will be happy to introduce everything to you in person.

What car dealers are dealing with today

The growing demand for quality software in the automotive sector is generally influenced by the demand for connectivity, the increasing complexity of infotainment systems, and regulatory requirements for safety, as reported in the Outlook on the automotive software and electronics market through 2030.

From the perspective of car dealerships, the demands are mainly in the areas of changes in the sales model, customer behaviour, or the introduction of new products.

Changes in the sales model due to direct sales

The traditional role of car sales is changing as some manufacturers transition to direct sales to customers. This may limit your scope in areas of sales, marketing, and customer service.

Unified CRM in the manufacturer’s distribution network can be supplemented by your own system in the form of Automotive CRM from the dealer’s position. This will enable you to maintain control over customer data, perform your segmentation and targeted marketing campaigns, and retain a competitive advantage.

Focus on monitoring key metrics in CRM – e.g., response times to inquiries, sales team success rates, and average sales cycle length. Regular analysis of these data will help you better adapt your sales and marketing strategy.

Changes in customer behaviour across generations

Customers, especially younger generations, prefer online communication and minimise physical visits to showrooms. The sales process is accelerating, cars are becoming more standardised, and the option to customise the car’s equipment is limited.

How to adapt to changes in customer preferences? Automotive CRM gives you a unified 360° view of each customer. This lets you track all interactions, transactions, and preferences in one place. Centralising data makes it easier to personalise communication and offers. The result is higher efficiency in sales processes and increased customer satisfaction.

360° view of the customer

Electromobility and readiness for new products

The share of electric vehicles in the car market is increasing. According to the European Market Monitor: Cars and vans, in January 2025, the proportion of all newly registered vehicles in the European Union was 16%, representing a year-on-year increase of 40%. In practice, car dealers face many influences in this context, such as a sudden drop in car prices, reluctance to make further purchases, or customer demands regarding use, safety, charging, and battery life.

For car dealers, it is necessary to adapt to the specifics of this segment. Automotive CRM reflects these circumstances and provides dealers with key functions for effectively managing electromobility challenges.

  • Planning and managing test drives, including vehicle reservations and time slots. The result? Customer satisfaction and the best references.
  • A comprehensive overview of each customer, including their preferences and interaction history for personalised communication and offers. The result? Customer knowledge and relationship building.
  • Segmentation and targeting, identifying and reaching potential electric vehicle customers. The result? Efficient sales campaigns.
  • Analytics and reporting using advanced tools for analysing sales data and tracking trends. The result? Better decision-making and strategic planning.

Dashboard for management decisions

Automotive CRM powered by AI can do much more

Automotive CRM will help you across all sales and marketing activities, tailored to the needs of car dealerships. Based on customer demands, trends in the automotive industry, and the world of technology, we continually innovate and adapt this solution for you.

Check out the latest news in the article New version of Automotive CRM – faster, more intuitive, and enhanced by Microsoft AI.

Key areas of business where Automotive CRM helps significantly:

Optimising sales processes

With Automotive CRM, you can easily manage the entire sales cycle – from initial inquiry to final contract closure. Tools for opportunity management or test drive planning are available, and the 360° customer view ensures you always have all the necessary data at hand.

AI tools in Automotive CRM help you with routine tasks and respond to your queries, such as: “Show me my planned activities for today,” or “Show me an overview of my business opportunities for next month.”

By streamlining sales process management, your salespeople work faster and more efficiently.

Routine task automation with AI

Thanks to integration with Microsoft 365 Office applications, you can automate recurring tasks such as tracking customer interactions, sending reminders, or scheduling meetings. The AI assistant Microsoft Copilot helps you with daily tasks across the most-used applications, such as Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, or PowerPoint.

Microsoft Copilot AI assistance in Microsoft 365 Outlook

Data analytics for personalised offers

With advanced customer segmentation tools, you can create targeted offers based on their behaviour and preferences. Automotive CRM provides all customer data in one place for personalised communication and more effective marketing campaigns.

Increasing lead conversion rates

Implementing AI and machine learning enables efficient lead and opportunity management. Features such as predictive analytics and lead scoring help you identify the most promising prospects and focus your sales activities to increase deal closing success.

There’s a lot more. Check out Automotive CRM features in detail, including user interface previews. Features – Automotive CRM from Konica Minolta IT Solutions.

A quality and timeless CRM solution is your guarantee in any situation

The market is changing, and digitisation is one of the main ways to maintain stability and prosperity. Automotive CRM evolves and adapts to changing times for your car dealership. Therefore, it will help you withstand and ensure competitiveness even in times of economic instability.

We are happy to introduce Automotive CRM to you and recommend a comprehensive solution tailored to your business needs. Join the satisfied customers among car dealers who already enjoy all its benefits.

Contact us and try Automotive CRM in practice!