Salesforce Automotive Cloud: Transforming the Future of Mobility and Customer Engagement
The automotive industry is undergoing a dramatic shift — from one-time vehicle transactions to a recurring relationship-based model driven by customer expectations for connected, digital-first experiences. To stay competitive in this new landscape, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), dealers, and mobility service providers must evolve.
Salesforce Automotive Cloud is a purpose-built platform designed to address these emerging needs. Built on the trusted Salesforce Customer 360 platform, it empowers automotive companies to unify customer data, streamline operations, and deliver intelligent, personalized experiences throughout the vehicle lifecycle.
What Is Salesforce Automotive Cloud?
Salesforce Automotive Cloud is an industry-specific CRM solution developed by Salesforce as part of its Industry Clouds portfolio. It provides a pre-configured data model, intelligent automation, and industry-relevant workflows tailored for the automotive and mobility ecosystem.
Automotive Cloud helps you connect:
- Customers
- Dealers
- Vehicles
- Services
- Finance and insurance providers
…all into a single, unified platform.
Core Features of Salesforce Automotive Cloud
- Vehicle 360 View
Gain a complete picture of every vehicle in your ecosystem, including:
- Make, model, year, VIN, and specifications
- Current owner or lessee
- Service history and warranty details
- Real-time connected vehicle data (via API/IoT integrations)
This enables better maintenance tracking, proactive service outreach, and resale value prediction.
- Household and Driver Profiles
Group customers into household units, allowing you to understand:
- Which family members drive which vehicles
- Shared service history
- Cross-selling opportunities (e.g., family vehicle upgrades)
- Vehicle Lifecycle Management
Track vehicles from manufacturing to ownership, service, lease returns, and resale. Understand:
- Where a vehicle is in its lifecycle
- What services or promotions it qualifies for
- How long the customer has been in a lease or finance contract
- Appointment and Test Drive Scheduling
Empower customers and dealers with intelligent scheduling for:
- Vehicle servicing and inspections
- Showroom appointments
- Test drives (with route preferences and driver assignments)
This improves dealership efficiency and enhances the customer journey.
- Service Management
Manage all aspects of after-sales support:
- Service requests and cases
- Vehicle part tracking
- Real-time technician availability
- Warranty and recall alerts
- AI-Powered Intelligence (Einstein)
Salesforce Einstein AI provides:
- Predictive lead scoring
- Service recommendations
- Sales forecasting
- Churn prediction for lease renewals
- Pre-Built Data Model and Industry Objects
Out-of-the-box support for:
- Vehicle__c
- Driver__c
- Dealer__c
- ServiceRequest__c
- Warranty__c
- Lead, Opportunity, and Account objects customized for automotive
These help you launch faster and eliminate the need for complex data modeling from scratch.
Seamless Integration Capabilities
Salesforce Automotive Cloud integrates with:
- Dealer Management Systems (DMS)
- ERP tools (SAP, Oracle)
- Connected car platforms (via APIs)
- Finance and insurance platforms
- Marketing Cloud, Service Cloud, Experience Cloud for extended functionality
You can also build custom integrations using MuleSoft, Salesforce Flow, and Apex APIs.
Real-World Use Cases
For OEMs
- Run targeted loyalty campaigns based on customer and vehicle data.
- Track global dealer network performance.
- Monitor production-to-delivery timelines and feedback loops.
For Dealers
- Enable frictionless test drive bookings from the website.
- Provide a personalized showroom experience based on buyer profiles.
- Use AI-driven follow-ups to close more sales.
For Finance & Insurance Providers
- Offer tailored financing options based on customer credit and vehicle value.
- Track loan performance and send reminders.
- Cross-sell insurance products with policy tracking.
Sample Custom Modules You Can Build
Using Lightning Web Components, Flows, and Apex, you can create modules like:
- Vehicle Inventory Management
- Test Drive Scheduler with Mobile Integration
- Warranty Expiry Alerts
- Used Car Trade-In Estimator
- Connected Car IoT Dashboard
Customer Benefits
| Benefit | Description |
| Unified Experience | Combines sales, service, and finance under one platform. |
| Faster Time to Market | Prebuilt objects and flows accelerate deployment. |
| Customer Personalization | AI-powered recommendations and service alerts. |
| Data Security & Trust | Enterprise-grade compliance and access controls. |
| Omnichannel Engagement | Engage via WhatsApp, SMS, email, mobile app, or web portal. |
Why Choose Salesforce Automotive Cloud?
With Salesforce Automotive Cloud, you’re not just investing in CRM — you’re investing in a strategic digital ecosystem. Whether you’re a car manufacturer, electric vehicle startup, mobility service provider, or dealership group, this platform helps you:
- Reduce manual processes
- Centralize customer and vehicle data
- Drive data-driven decision-making
- Build lifetime value with your customers
Final Thoughts
The automotive industry is no longer just about selling cars — it’s about creating continuous relationships and delivering exceptional service throughout the ownership journey. Salesforce Automotive Cloud is the engine that powers this transformation.