Turn unanswered calls into clear next steps.
Exploring a simpler way for car dealerships to respond to unanswered sales calls, understand what buyers need, and turn genuine interest into showroom appointments.
Independent business research by Maria Simon, a marketing student at San Diego State University.
Not a launched service or university-sponsored program.
Technology and pilot structure under evaluation
A straightforward path from unanswered call to appointment.
The proposed service would answer eligible incoming sales calls when dealership staff are unavailable. This first version focuses on calls forwarded while the caller is still on the line.
Answer the overflow call
With dealership-approved forwarding, receive eligible unanswered or after-hours sales calls.
Respond helpfully
An automated assistant introduces itself and asks what the caller needs.
Understand buyer intent
Ask about the vehicle, questions, and preferred visit time without guessing inventory or pricing.
Coordinate an appointment
Send an appointment request for staff confirmation. Track requests separately from confirmed appointments.
One sales line. A clear process. Measurable outcomes.
The proposed pilot would be limited in scope, with dealership approval, a clear process for handling customer inquiries, and transparent reporting on what happened. Features, dates, and pricing are not finalized.
- ✓Focus on unanswered sales calls, not all dealership operations
- ✓Optional prioritization of dealership-selected vehicles
- ✓Clear human handoff for uncertain or sensitive questions
- ✓Track requests separately from confirmed appointments
- ✓Agree on privacy, consent, and technical requirements first
First understand the dealership. Then build the solution.
I'm Maria Simon, a marketing student at San Diego State University independently researching how car dealerships manage missed calls and sales appointments. I am speaking with dealership owners and managers before committing to technology or pricing.
If you manage a dealership, your feedback can directly shape the pilot. The service described here is proposed, not operational.
Does this happen at your dealership?
I'd love to understand your current call-handling process, what you've already tried, and what would make a pilot worthwhile.
Email Maria maria.clientservices@gmail.com