inride Launches AI Trade Tool to Capture After-Hours Automotive Leads

Dealers frequently struggle to convert online traffic because leads often arrive after business hours or sit stagnant in queues while sales staff manage showroom floor demands. By the time a representative initiates contact, potential customers have often moved on to competitors. Trade Agent Acquire integrates with existing website valuation widgets and CRM systems to bridge this gap, delivering instant appraisal figures via text or email while the shopper remains engaged.

The system handles the full lifecycle of a trade-in inquiry, from answering questions about vehicle condition to managing objections and securing firm appointments. These bookings are automatically synced to the dealer's CRM with complete conversation transcripts attached. Because the tool functions as an overlay to current dealership software, stores can implement the technology within a few days without replacing existing platforms.

This release builds on the performance of inride’s earlier outbound platform, which has seen deployment across more than 75 dealerships since February 2026. Data from pilot programs in the D.C. market showed that 44% of interactions occurred outside standard operating hours, with over half of resulting appointments leading to successful vehicle acquisitions. CEO Nick Perdikis notes that the technology transforms a dealership's follow-up process, ensuring the store that paid for the digital traffic is the first to establish a human connection. Two additional modules—an F&I Agent and a Service Agent—are currently in beta testing to further automate dealership operations.