From first lead to delivery in one login.
DriveCentric is an engagement CRM for franchise groups, with AI sold as add-ons. BKD is a CRM plus the operations around it: appraisal, inventory, deals, and delivery, with AI that stays on text and email.
By Jason Mayhew, Founder, BKD.ai · Last updated · DriveCentric facts checked October 30, 2026
BKD and DriveCentric, side by side.
| Feature | DriveCentric | BKD |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Engagement CRM | Dealership CRM that reads your DMS inventory feed |
| Built for | Franchise and independent stores, plus OEM programs | Independent, used, BHPH and franchise stores in the US and Canada |
| Published pricing | Request a quote | Quoted at the demo |
| AI lead follow-up | AI Agents that engage new leads | An AI Sidekick per rep, by text and email in the rep's own name, number and style |
| Phone calls | Click-to-Call add-on | Your people take every call, with browser calling and a Power Dial queue |
| Appraisals | Through integrations | Comp-backed appraisal workbench and customer trade-in links |
| Mobile | iOS, Android and Apple Watch | iOS and Android apps |
Where DriveCentric fits.
Franchise focus
An engagement CRM used mostly by franchise groups.
AI as add-ons
AI agents are sold as separate add-ons to the CRM.
Where BKD is different.
Three lead types, three purpose-built agents
BKD ships separate AI agents for sellers, buyers, and subprime finance leads. Each one is built for that conversation, not one bot stretched across every lead.
AI that knows its lane
BKD's AI works leads over text and email, and your people take every call through a browser Power Dial, so customers always talk to someone from your store.
Operations in the same login
BKD includes an appraisal workbench with sold comps and a scatter plot, plus live DMS inventory sync, deal pipeline, and delivery. No separate appraisal or acquisition tool to buy.
Build and test your own agents
BKD's guided agent builder lets you shape an agent, try it in a live Test Drive, and roll back with versioning. Each store also gets a named AI team member with its own phone number.
Lead routing that respects schedules
BKD's round-robin and weighted distribution skip reps who are off. Built and tested against real leads on a working sales floor.
A mobile app built around calls and the AI
BKD's iOS and Android apps give reps the unified inbox, calls on their own BKD line with cell fallback, push alerts for new leads and Sidekick handoffs, appointments, and one-tap take-over from the AI.
Choose BKD if
- You want appraisal, inventory, deals, and delivery inside the CRM instead of bolted on through integrations.
- You run an independent store and want a tool built and tested on a real sales floor.
- You want to build and test your own AI agents, and you want phone calls to stay human.
Five questions to ask both of us.
Take these into every vendor call, ours included. The answers separate demos from reality.
- 1Which channels can the AI actually handle end to end: text, email, web chat, phone?
- 2What ships in the base price and what is a paid add-on? How does the bill change as rooftops or unit volume grow?
- 3How does the AI hand off to a human, and can a rep take over mid-conversation without confusing the customer?
- 4How do appraisals and live inventory get into the CRM: native tools or third-party integrations?
- 5Can I see exactly what the AI sent, when, and which version of the agent sent it?
Based on DriveCentric's public materials as of October 2026. Spot something out of date? Tell us on a demo and we'll correct it.
BKD vs DriveCentric, answered.
Does BKD replace DriveCentric?
Yes, BKD can replace DriveCentric as your CRM, with appraisals, inventory and lender submissions in the same login.
How much does DriveCentric cost?
DriveCentric doesn't publish dollar prices. Its pricing page asks you to request a quote, with add-ons based on your needs.
Is BKD a DMS?
No. BKD is a dealership CRM with appraisals, inventory, deals and Credit App submissions. It reads inventory from the DMS you already run, through a CSV or SFTP inventory feed.
Can I switch from DriveCentric to BKD?
Yes. CSV and Excel import brings your customers over with duplicate detection, and past sales import as delivered deals. Most BKD stores are live in days.
Does BKD work in Canada?
Yes. BKD is built in Canada for Canadian and US stores, with AutoTrader.ca and Kijiji leads and CASL-aware consent and opt-outs.
Sources: DriveCentric · DriveCentric pricing · DriveCentric mobile app · Switching to BKD
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