Stephane Ferri Breaks Down the Dealership Phone Call Problem

Stephane Ferri, CEO of Car Wars, joins Driving Solutions to discuss new data revealing how missed phone calls are costing dealerships millions in lost service opportunities—and how artificial intelligence may help close the gap. Drawing from Car Wars’ 2026 white paper, Ferri explains why the phone remains one of the most important lead sources for dealerships, particularly for service scheduling and customer inquiries.The conversation examines operational bottlenecks that occur during peak call periods, when service advisors are balancing in-store customers with high inbound call volume. Ferri outlines how AI-powered communication tools can answer calls, schedule appointments, and route inquiries more efficiently, helping dealerships capture more service business while improving customer experience. The technology can also integrate with CRM systems, track call history, and support follow-up processes, giving dealerships greater visibility into customer communication. As fixed operations remain a key profit driver, improving call management may play a critical role in strengthening dealership profitability.Key discussion points:The scale of missed service call opportunities at dealershipsWhy the phone remains a critical lead source for service schedulingHow peak call times create operational bottlenecks for service teamsUsing AI to answer calls, schedule appointments, and route inquiriesIntegrating call data with CRM systems to improve follow-up and trackingThe impact of better call management on fixed ops performanceDriving Solutions is the go-to podcast for dealership professionals who want to stay sharp, informed, and ahead of the curve. Hosted by Jim Fitzpatrick and powered by CBT News, each episode brings you real strategies, smart tools, and expert insights to help you run a more profitable operation.Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and visit CBTNews.com for more.