Hey followers! Today, let’s dive into how AI is transforming the car dealership scene with a fun twist.

Back in early 2024, Monik Pamecha co-founded Toma, an AI voice startup. He hadn’t expected to spend summer sweating in Bible Belt dealerships, but here we are! Initially focused on banking and healthcare, they got a call from dealers drowning in phone calls. Seeing a new chance, they tested their AI by calling every dealership they could find, only to find that less than half answered.

This led them to visit dealerships in Oklahoma and Mississippi, where they got a real feel for the business—sometimes literally, thanks to grease stains. The experience paid off as they built relationships, shared meals, and even toured the Corvette Museum. One dealer even invited them to the shooting range! Well, living the dream, right?

Thanks to these trips, Pamecha and Krivonos refined their AI into a tool now used in over 100 dealerships across the country. It schedules service, handles parts, answers questions, and more. They even attracted $17 million in funding from big names like a16z, Y Combinator, and auto influencer Yossi Levi.

Levi pointed out that managing customer calls is tricky because demand constantly shifts. The AI helps dealerships standardize and improve customer experiences, making life easier for everyone. Training involves a week or two of tuning the AI to each dealership’s specifics, such as unique promotions or engine types. Then, it handles calls autonomously, with humans stepping in if needed.

And here’s the fun part—it’s a subscription! As the AI handles more tasks, dealers pay more. Pamecha reflects that that summer’s tough yet exciting trip was critical to their success. They’ve become friends with their clients by truly understanding their pains and needs.