Dealership Text Message Templates That Get Replies
Good dealership text message templates save your team time and keep every customer message short, clear and on brand. The ones below are written to earn a reply, and each can be pasted into your CRM and adjusted to fit your store.
Ground rules before you send anything
Texting customers is regulated. Only text people who have given consent, identify the store in the first message, honor opt-out requests at once and keep to reasonable hours. Requirements vary, so review your consent language and these templates with counsel before use.
Beyond the legal side, four habits make a text work:
- One purpose per message. Confirm, ask or inform. Not all three.
- End with a question. A question invites a reply. A statement ends the conversation.
- Offer two choices. “Today at 5:15 or tomorrow at 10:30?” is easier to answer than “When can you come in?”
- Sound like a person. Use the customer’s first name and your own. Skip capital letters and strings of exclamation points.
Templates for new leads
First reply to an internet lead: “Hi [First Name], this is [Your Name] at [Dealership]. The [Year Model] you asked about is here and available. Are you looking to see it today or later this week?”
When they asked a specific question: “Hi [First Name], [Your Name] at [Dealership]. Yes, the [Model] has [feature]. I can have it pulled up front for you. Would 4:30 today or 11:00 tomorrow work better?”
Trade interest: “Hi [First Name], [Your Name] at [Dealership] here. Happy to get you a real number on your [Trade Model]. It takes about 15 minutes in person. Are you free this afternoon or tomorrow morning?”
Second attempt, next day: “Hi [First Name], [Your Name] at [Dealership]. I did not want you to miss the [Model]. Is it still on your list, or has your search changed?”
Templates that protect the appointment
Booking confirmation: “You are set, [First Name]. [Day] at [Time] at [Dealership], [Address]. Ask for [Your Name] when you arrive. Does that still work for you?”
Day before: “Hi [First Name], [Your Name] at [Dealership]. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow at [Time]. The [Model] will be cleaned and waiting. Reply YES to confirm or tell me a better time.”
Running late check, 15 minutes past: “Hi [First Name], just checking that you are on your way. No rush at all. Should I keep the [Model] up front, or would a later time be easier?”
Templates for no-shows and unsold visitors
No-show, same day: “Hi [First Name], sorry we missed you. Things come up. I can hold the [Model] for you. Would tomorrow at [Time] or [Day] at [Time] work?”
Unsold, same evening: “[First Name], thank you for stopping by. I enjoyed showing you the [Model]. Was there anything we could have done differently to earn your business?”
Unsold, three days later: “Hi [First Name], [Your Name] at [Dealership]. I spoke with my manager about the [Model] you drove and have an update for you. Do you have a few minutes this afternoon?”
Vehicle sold, offer alternative: “Hi [First Name], the [Model] you looked at has sold, and a similar one just arrived with [difference]. Want me to send a photo?”
Templates for service and past customers
Service to sales: “Hi [First Name], [Your Name] at [Dealership]. While your [Model] is in for service, our manager can give you a current trade value, no obligation. Would you like me to set that up?”
Lease end: “Hi [First Name], your lease on the [Model] ends in a few months. I can walk you through your options in about 20 minutes. Is this week or next better?”
Review request: “Thank you again, [First Name]. If you have a minute, a quick review would mean a lot to me and the team. May I send you the link?”
Make the templates part of the process
Load the templates into your CRM and assign each to a step: new lead, appointment set, day before, no-show, unsold. Managers should read a sample of real conversations each week. Templates open the conversation. The salesperson still has to answer what the customer says next.
Measure reply rate, set appointments and shows by template and rewrite the weak ones. For reference, Willowood BDC benchmarks are a 35% set rate, a 65% show rate and a 15% overall closing rate. For messages that arrive after your team has gone home, Willowood’s live, US-based, bilingual BDC replies 24/7/365 by Messenger, text and email.
Frequently asked questions
How many times should we text an unresponsive lead?
Use a short planned sequence spread over several days, then move the lead to long term email follow-up. Stop immediately if they opt out.
Should texts include prices?
Answer price questions directly when asked. Customers trust a store that gives a straight answer.
Can we send photos and video?
Yes. A short walkaround video of the exact vehicle is a strong follow-up to send.
See what an event would look like for your store
Willowood Ventures runs Facebook Sales Events for 600+ dealer partners and manages $4 million per month in social advertising. Dealers see approximately 800% average ROI, and 90% of them rebook. Book a demo and we will walk through your market, your inventory and your set appointment target.
