Bengaluru-based electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, Ather Energy, has forged a strategic partnership with global SaaS giant Salesforce, aiming to transform and expand its dealership operations while significantly enhancing customer experiences. This collaboration signifies a major leap forward in the Indian EV retail landscape, leveraging cutting-edge technology to streamline processes and elevate customer satisfaction.
Transforming Dealer Operations with “Ather Dealer Central”
Ather Energy’s core objective is to drive seamless and agile business operations, providing a distinct competitive advantage for its rapidly expanding network of dealers across India. The cornerstone of this transformation is the development of “Ather Dealer Central,” a next-generation Dealer Management System (DMS) built on the Salesforce Platform. This innovative system integrates crucial functions like Lead Management System (LMS), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and DMS into a unified, scalable platform.
This first-of-its-kind DMS will be accessible via a mobile app, empowering dealers to make informed decisions on the go, directly contributing to both customer satisfaction and business growth. This mobile-first approach ensures that dealers have real-time access to critical data and functionalities, enabling them to respond swiftly to customer needs and market dynamics.
A Unified, Intelligent Platform
“Ather Dealer Central” is designed to be an agile, scalable, and customer-focused platform, as highlighted by Ravneet S. Phokela, Chief Business Officer at Ather Energy. He describes it as a “unified, intelligent platform” that seamlessly connects every aspect of the dealer ecosystem. This integration provides dealer partners with unprecedented insights, mobility, and efficiency, empowering them to deliver exceptional customer service.
Phokela emphasizes that this collaboration with Salesforce and the implementation of “Ather Dealer Central” represents an “ambitious technological leap,” reimagining how EV dealerships operate in India. This strategic asset is poised to shape the future of EV retail and customer engagement, setting new benchmarks for the industry.
Leveraging AI for Enhanced Customer Experiences
Salesforce’s contribution extends beyond the DMS, incorporating AI-driven innovations to enhance customer interactions. Mankiran Chowhan, Vice President of Financial Services & Consumer Industries at Salesforce India, underscores how technology can redefine mobility and empower businesses to deliver smarter, more connected experiences. By leveraging Salesforce’s solutions, Ather Energy is setting a new standard for dealership management and customer engagement, fostering a scalable ecosystem that drives sustainable growth and innovation.
Chowhan also highlights the significance of AI-driven innovations, particularly Salesforce Agentforce, an AI-powered digital labour solution. This platform enables companies to build and deploy AI agents capable of autonomously taking action across various business functions, boosting efficiency, optimizing operations, and redefining customer engagement. This AI integration promises to streamline customer service and provide a more personalized experience.
Ather Energy’s Expanding Market Presence
Ather Energy, founded in 2013 by Tarun Sanjay Mehta and Swapnil Babanlal Jain, has rapidly established itself as a key player in the Indian EV market. With its flagship electric scooters, the Ather 450, 450X, and the recently launched family scooter Rizta, the company has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation.
The mobile-first strategy is a game-changer. In today’s fast-paced market, giving dealers the ability to access key data and make decisions on the go is essential. This will likely lead to quicker response times and better customer experiences overall.