Expanding Our Partnership with More Connected Solutions
Kenect's partnership with Ford continues to grow.
Following the success of Kenect's Reputation Management solution in the Ford program, Ford Dealers may use Ford Dealer Advertising Co-op funds for qualifying AI Lead Management providers, and eligible solutions may also qualify under the Lincoln Brand Exclusive Advertising Program (LBEAP) for eligible Lincoln Retailers.
This expanded partnership gives Ford Dealers and eligible Lincoln Retailers access to even more Kenect solutions designed to improve customer communication, streamline dealership operations, and create better experiences throughout the customer journey.
One of the newest additions to the partnership is Service AI, giving dealerships another way to modernize their operations while making the most of available Ford advertising programs.
A Growing Partnership Built Around Better Customer Communication
Kenect has worked alongside Ford Dealers and eligible Lincoln Retailers to help improve customer communication and online reputation.
With Reputation Management already helping dealerships generate more reviews, strengthen their online presence, and build customer trust, the expanded partnership brings even more AI-powered capabilities to Ford Dealers and eligible Lincoln Retailers.
Together, these solutions help dealerships communicate with customers before, during, and after the sale while supporting employees and customers at every stage of the ownership journey.
More Kenect Solutions Available Through Ford Advertising Programs
As part of the expanded partnership, Ford Dealers may use Ford Dealer Advertising Co-op funds for qualifying AI Lead Management providers, and eligible solutions may also qualify under the Lincoln Brand Exclusive Advertising Program (LBEAP) for eligible Lincoln Retailers.
Available Kenect solutions include:
Reputation Management
Kenect's Reputation Management platform helps dealerships generate more customer reviews, strengthen their online reputation, improve local search visibility, and build trust with prospective buyers.
As Kenect's first solution available through the Ford program, Reputation Management established the foundation for a strong partnership focused on helping dealerships improve customer engagement and online visibility.
Service AI
Service AI helps dealerships automate customer communication across the service department through AI-powered Voice AI and Engage AI.
Voice AI helps dealerships:
- Answer inbound service calls 24/7
- Schedule service appointments automatically
- Respond to recall questions
- Provide repair status updates
- Answer routine service questions
- Route complex conversations to dealership staff
Engage AI helps dealerships respond to inbound customer text conversations with fast, AI-assisted responses while keeping dealership teams in control of the customer experience.
Together, these AI-powered solutions reduce advisor workload, improve responsiveness, and help ensure customers receive timely assistance across both phone calls and text messages.
Why This Matters for Ford Dealers and Eligible Lincoln Retailers
Today's Ford and Lincoln service departments have never been busier.
Service advisors are juggling customers in the service drive while answering a constant stream of phone calls about appointment scheduling, recall questions, repair status updates, maintenance services, and general dealership information. At the same time, customers expect immediate answers and a seamless service experience, no matter when they call.
Every missed call represents a missed opportunity.
Whether a customer is calling to schedule an oil change, ask about a recall, check on the status of their vehicle, or confirm service hours, they expect someone to answer. When advisors are helping customers at the counter, writing repair orders, or working with technicians, the phone becomes one more interruption competing for their attention.
The result is familiar to many dealerships:
- Long hold times
- Missed service opportunities
- Overflowing voicemail boxes
- Constant interruptions for advisors
- Frustrated customers
- Increased pressure on already stretched service teams
Hiring additional staff isn't always the answer. Recruiting and retaining experienced service advisors continues to be a challenge across the industry, leading many dealerships to look for smarter ways to support the teams they already have.
Meet Service AI
Service AI is an AI-powered communication solution built specifically for dealership service departments.
Through Voice AI and Engage AI, dealerships can automate routine customer conversations while keeping advisors focused on the customers standing in front of them.
Service AI helps dealerships:
- Answer inbound service calls 24/7
- Schedule service appointments automatically
- Respond to recall inquiries
- Answer common maintenance questions
- Provide dealership and service information
- Respond to inbound customer text messages
- Route more complex conversations to the appropriate team member
Rather than replacing your advisors, Service AI removes repetitive conversations from their day so they can focus on delivering exceptional customer service.
Customers receive fast, natural responses while advisors gain more uninterrupted time for higher-value interactions.
Ford Dealers and Lincoln Retailers Are Already Seeing Results
The expanded partnership builds on proven success already happening at Ford and Lincoln dealerships.
Dana Ford & Lincoln
Like many dealerships, Dana Ford & Lincoln wanted to reduce the number of routine phone calls reaching service advisors without sacrificing customer service.
By allowing Service AI to handle appointment scheduling and common customer questions, advisors were able to spend less time answering repetitive calls and more time helping customers in the service drive. The dealership improved operational efficiency while maintaining the high level of service customers expect.
Dana Ford & Lincoln's experience demonstrates how AI can support existing teams by reducing interruptions instead of replacing people.
Walt Sweeney Ford
For Walt Sweeney Ford, one of the biggest challenges was ensuring every customer could reach someone when they called.
Before implementing Service AI, the dealership experienced 400 to 500 abandoned service calls every month. After deployment, that number dropped to zero, with 100% of inbound service calls answered.
When severe winter weather forced the dealership to close for two days, Service AI continued answering customer calls, helping with service questions, recall inquiries, roadside assistance requests, and appointment scheduling until employees returned.
The result was a better customer experience, fewer missed opportunities, and greater confidence that every customer received the help they needed.
Why the Expanded Partnership Matters
The expansion of Kenect's partnership with Ford gives Ford Dealers and eligible Lincoln Retailers access to more connected solutions designed to improve communication across the entire customer journey.
Whether you're looking to strengthen your online reputation, automate service communication, or improve customer engagement, Kenect's growing portfolio of solutions helps dealerships operate more efficiently while delivering a better customer experience.
Ford Dealers may use Ford Dealer Advertising Co-op funds for qualifying AI Lead Management providers, and eligible solutions may also qualify under the Lincoln Brand Exclusive Advertising Program (LBEAP) for eligible Lincoln Retailers. The expanded partnership makes it easier than ever to explore AI-powered solutions that support your dealership's communication strategy.
Learn More About Kenect Solutions
Kenect's expanded partnership with Ford reflects a shared commitment to helping dealerships improve customer communication through practical, dealership-focused technology.
From Reputation Management to Service AI, Kenect continues to expand the solutions available to Ford Dealers and eligible Lincoln Retailers, helping dealerships communicate more effectively across every stage of the customer journey.
Request a personalized demo to see how Kenect's solutions can support your Ford dealership or Lincoln Retail location and learn more about qualifying opportunities available through Ford Dealer Advertising Co-op and the Lincoln Brand Exclusive Advertising Program (LBEAP).
