auto dealer in black and red logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

AutoFerret.com’s Automated Virtual Assistant (AVA) Sends 5 Millionth Message to Auto Dealer Customers

AutoFerret.com announced today that its Automated Virtual Assistant (AVA) has sent her five millionth message to auto dealership customers.

by Staff
February 21, 2012
2 min to read


 

Bellingham, WA — AutoFerret.com announced today that its Automated Virtual Assistant (AVA) has sent her five millionth message to auto dealership customers. Considering that it takes an average of two minutes to compose an e-mail, that means AVA has added 10 million minutes of productivity to dealerships’ Internet sales departments nationwide. For each dealer using AVA, that breaks down to more than 16,000 e-mails that the sales team did not have to write. AVA sent her landmark 5 millionth message right after NADA 2012, one year after her official launch.

“AVA has effectively engaged tens of thousands of customers in conversations on behalf of dealerships,” said Ben Brigham, President & CEO of AutoFerret.com. “Because she works 24/7 she is able to work thousands of new and old leads every month, compared to the industry standard of 80-100 leads per month for the average salesperson.”

Mike Cagey is general manager of Mark Christopher Chevrolet Buick GMC, and has been using AVA for about a year. “My Internet department has not missed one lead since starting with AVA,” he said. “What dealer can afford to miss or not have good contact with a lead?”

AVA is an artificial, “military grade” intelligence technology that responds to every lead, engages them, validates their intent to purchase, sets appointments for the sales staff, then follows up to make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Potential customers believe they are exchanging emails with a customer service representative and don’t know that AVA is a virtual assistant.

Jeff Proctor, general manager of Metro Honda and Acura has also been using AVA for nearly a year. “I will say my Internet sales reps spend a lot more time now actually with the customer and working car deals because of AVA,” he said.

AVA composes e-mails virtually instantly, never takes a break, is always cheerful and polite, and never complains. Her “smart” intelligence can interpret customers’ varied requests, complaints, or inquiries, and always respond appropriately. To learn more about AVA, contact AutoFerret.com.

About AutoFerret
AutoFerret.com is a fast-growing Internet technology company, founded in 2007 and based in Bellingham WA. AutoFerret develops cutting-edge web technologies, including inventory syndication tools, Facebook Apps and AVA. There are currently more than 3,000 automobile dealers across the United States, Canada, England, and Australia using one or more AutoFerret technologies. AutoFerret strives to maintain a highly successful and satisfied customer base by being agile, hyper-responsive, and creative in all aspects of their business. AutoFerret’s philosophy is to move quickly and decisively in response to customer feedback. For more information about AutoFerret.com, visit www.AutoFerret.com or call Ben Brigham at (888) 633-7738.

02/21/12

More Dealer Ops

red, black, and yellow car in a car dealership showroom, Growth Beyond Sales text box, Auto Dealer Today logo
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 31, 2026

Dealership Profits Decline

While new and used retail sales stagnated, dealerships have been particularly supported by fixed operations and finance-and-insurance profits, according to a new report.

Read More →
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 07/15/2026, with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 15, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Defection Data & EV Updates

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses how to use defection data to your advantage and the latest on EV sales and charging infrastructure.

Read More →
Two professionals shake hands while exchanging a car key fob beside a vehicle, symbolizing a vehicle sale, lease agreement, or dealership transaction.
SponsoredJuly 8, 2026

How Defection Data is Bridging the Dealership Conversion Gap

Lead volume is flat, cross-shopping is up and brand loyalty is in retreat. As confident sales teams keep losing buyers they thought they had, daily industry sales data is showing dealers exactly where their funnel is breaking and how to fix it without buying a single new lead.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 07/02/2026 with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJuly 2, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Where are you losing customers?

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence discusses the hidden leaks in dealerships where you might be losing customers without even realizing it.

Read More →
Auto Dealer Today, Dealer Debrief, 06/25/2026, with Lauren Lawrence
Dealer Opsby Lauren LawrenceJune 26, 2026

Dealer Debrief: Improving Your Inventory Management

In this week's debrief, host Lauren Lawrence covers a new survey that shows what service technicians really want and two launches that could help improve your inventory and vehicle life cycle management.

Read More →
group of people standing in a circle holding puzzle pieces together
Dealer OpsJune 1, 2026

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins

A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
two cars on a billboard, No Hidden Fees
ComplianceMay 1, 2026

Dealer Ads and the FTC

The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.

Read More →
Closeup of white car's headlight, front end
Dealer Opsby Hannah MitchellApril 17, 2026

Used Autos Supply Dwindles

The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.

Read More →
hands making protective frame over red car, Risk Reality Check, Be Proactive, Auto Dealer Today logo
Dealer OpsApril 1, 2026

Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times

The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Car key, stacks of coins, and a paper car cutout with AutoPayPlus logo, representing auto financing, loan terms, and vehicle affordability trends.
Dealer Opsby StaffMarch 31, 2026

Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales

AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.

Read More →