The CRM for independents who don't have a BDC.
Independent stores run lean: the owner's on the floor, reps cover the phones, and nobody has time to text every lead at 9 p.m. BKD gives every rep an AI Sidekick that does the follow-up in their name, inside a full CRM that runs the rest of the store.
BKD is an AI-powered CRM for independent car dealerships. Instead of hiring a BDC, every rep gets an AI Sidekick that texts and emails leads in their own name and hands the thread back when it matters. Appraisals, live inventory, Credit App submissions, deals and a mobile app are in the same login.
A Sidekick for every rep.
Each Sidekick learns its rep's writing style, texts from their number, books appointments and stands down when the customer replies. Reps step in with one tap, on the web or their phone.
- Purpose-built agents for sellers, buyers and finance leads
- Always-on guardrails: managers, hostile customers and legal topics go to a human
- Nothing goes live until you've tested it
Book the appraisal
Book the test drive
Complete the credit app
Different goals, different scripts, different tools, built in, out of the box.
One login instead of six.
Texting, calls, email, appraisals, inventory, deals and delivery live on one screen, so a five-person store doesn't need five tools.
Hi Sarah — attaching the RAV4 window sticker and a quick payment breakdown. 👇
Leads go to whoever's working.
Round-robin or weighted distribution skips reps who are off and rebalances automatically, so leads never sit with someone on a day off.
No lead ever drops: a rep on a day off doesn't get leads. The next available rep does.
Questions dealers ask.
What is the best CRM for an independent car dealership?
One that replaces work you'd otherwise hire for. BKD's AI Sidekicks cover lead follow-up like a BDC, and appraisals, inventory, Credit App submissions and deals sit in the same login. AutoRaptor and Selly are basic independent CRMs, and DealerCenter bundles a DMS. Our roundup compares them honestly.
Do I need a BDC if I use BKD?
Many independents don't. Sidekicks reply to every lead in seconds and follow up for weeks in each rep's name, then hand off to a person. See our BKD vs hiring a BDC comparison.
How long does setup take?
Most stores are live in days. Each rep's Sidekick trains on their past texts in the Training Ground, so it sounds like them from day one.
Does it work for BHPH and subprime?
Yes. Finance leads have their own pipeline and agent, a texted credit application, and Credit App submission to lenders.
Get a BDC's follow-up without the BDC.
A 30-minute walkthrough with our team. Bring your toughest lead source.