A highlighting feature that comes with SMS texting for your automotive business is the ability to build up a contact list of customers’ phone numbers and email addresses. Customers joining your subscription become contacts to connect with whenever and wherever you want. With access to customers’ personal cell numbers, your business will be at the forefront of their screens and their minds. 

While you can use SMS texting for your businesses to communicate with contacts one-on-one, you can also send mass text messages out to all or some of your list. This could include sending out your business hours, general reminders, or promotional offers.

For example, your message could say, “Looking to add a new edition to your garage? [Business name] is open until 8:00 PM. Check out our new models in store today.”

Sending Reminders for Your Customers’ Appointments

While appointments are a great tool to get customers in your shop, not all of them end up coming. Missing appointments can put a huge dent in profits for businesses overtime. SMS texting is an effective way to keep customers in the loop about their appointments, with text messages having a 97% read rate within 15 minutes of delivery.

Let’s say you own a car dealership. If someone booked an appointment for a test drive, you could use SMS texting to write, “Good afternoon! Just wanted to check in and remind you that your test drive at [business name] is today at 2:00 PM. Text back YES or NO to confirm your appointment.”

Perhaps you own an auto mechanic shop. Getting an oil change is not always easy to remember for some people, so you could send a text message saying, “Hey [customer name]! Just here to remind you that you’re due for an oil change. Stop by our shop and we’ll check it out!” This could be scheduled to send once every three or six months to each contact depending on when they came in for the service.

Send Follow-Up Messages After a Purchase

Nearly 50% of car buyers and prospective car buyers want to hear from their dealership after they make a purchase. While you could reach out via email or phone call, 85% of customers prefer receiving text messages over both of those options. The quickest and most effective way to reach customers is through SMS texting.

Now, if you run a car dealership and a customer has just purchased a new car, you could text them, “Hey there, it’s [salesperson name] from [business name]! We hope you’re enjoying your new [car model]. If you have any questions or concerns about your new vehicle, don’t hesitate to come in and ask for me!”

Sending a message like this let’s your customers know that you genuinely care about their satisfaction and safety with their new car and puts you miles above other businesses around you.

Tell Customers About Sales and Promotions

It’s hard to resist a good sale, which is why 50% of US consumers make a purchase after receiving an advertising text with a discount coupon. Sending out a mass coupon gives you a huge opportunity to get more customers through the door who may have been on the fence beforehand.

With the car dealership example, you could send a message out to your contacts saying, “Buckle up! Purchase a car this month and get FREE oil changes for the entire first year of ownership!”

Inform Customers About Repair Communications 

One of the biggest parts of the automotive industry is, well, the parts. Tons of people buy new parts for the car every year, whether it is due to a wreck or just adding modifications. SMS texting allows you to directly text customers when an ordered part has come in.

Let’s say you run an auto mechanic shop and a customer has ordered a new set of tires for their car. When those tires arrive, you could send them a message saying, “Hi [customer name] -- good news! Your tires have come in and are ready to be placed on your car. Let me know what time works best for you to come in.”