Quick answer
What is business messaging for Automotive?
Automotive messaging helps car and two-wheeler dealers and service centres confirm test drives, update buyers on delivery, remind owners about service and insurance renewals, and share service estimates for approval. Reminders fill workshop slots and keep customers loyal between purchases.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Dealerships and service centres keep customers for years through service visits and renewals. Timely reminders and updates fill workshop slots and keep customers coming back.
Key facts
- ✓Service and renewal reminders for a vehicle the customer owns are service messages under DLT.
- ✓Offers on accessories or new models are promotional and follow promotional rules.
- ✓WhatsApp and RCS can show vehicle photos and model carousels; SMS can include a link.
- ✓Two-way messaging lets customers approve service estimates by reply.
- ✓IVR menus can route calls to sales, service or spare parts.
The Automotive messaging journey
- 1
Enquiry & test drive
Confirm test drives and follow up with offers and finance options.
- 2
Booking & delivery
Update buyers on allotment, documentation and delivery date.
- 3
Service
Remind owners of due services and update them as the job card progresses.
- 4
Renewals
Remind customers of insurance and extended-warranty renewals.
Automotive use cases by moment
| When | Message | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Test drive booked | Confirmation with time and showroom | SMS, WhatsApp |
| Vehicle allotted | Delivery date and documents needed | |
| Service due | Reminder with booking link | SMS + WhatsApp |
| Job card update | Estimate for approval, then vehicle-ready alert | |
| Insurance expiring | Renewal reminder | SMS, voice |
| New model launch | Image carousel to opted-in customers | RCS |
Which channel for what
Sample message templates
Examples in DLT format, where each {#var#} is filled in when the message is sent. Register your own wording on DLT before sending; we review templates during onboarding.
- Your test drive of the {#var#} is confirmed for {#var#} at {#var#}. - {#var#}
- Your vehicle {#var#} is due for service on {#var#}. Book a slot: {#var#} - {#var#}
- Vehicle {#var#}: service estimate Rs {#var#}. Reply YES to approve. - {#var#}
- Insurance for {#var#} expires on {#var#}. Renew now: {#var#} - {#var#}
Compliance for Automotive
- Keep reminders and promotions separate so reminders stay on service routes.
- Store approval replies with the job card in case of disputes.
- Treat customer and vehicle data as personal data under the DPDP Act.
Metrics to track
- Service reminder to booking conversion
- Workshop slot utilisation
- Estimate approval time
- Insurance renewal rate
- Test drive show-up rate
How to get started
- 1
Share your use case
Tell us which messages you send, on which channels, and your monthly volume.
- 2
Register on DLT
We help you register your entity, headers and templates; WhatsApp and RCS senders are set up in parallel.
- 3
Test
Send test messages from the panel or with sandbox API keys.
- 4
Go live
Start sending and track every message with live delivery reports.
Automotive FAQs
Can customers approve service estimates by message?
Yes. A WhatsApp message or two-way SMS can capture the approval, logged against the job card.
Are service reminders promotional?
A reminder for a vehicle the customer owns is a service message. Adding discounts on other products makes it promotional.
Can we send vehicle photos?
On WhatsApp and RCS, yes. SMS can include a link.
When should service reminders go out?
About a week before the due date, with a second reminder a day or two before.
Can customers book a service slot by message?
Yes, through a WhatsApp flow or a link in the SMS to your booking page.
Can we send the invoice after service?
Yes, as a PDF on WhatsApp or a secure link by SMS.
Is an insurance renewal reminder promotional?
A reminder about the customer's own policy is a service message. Offering other insurance products makes it promotional.
Can a dealer group use one account for many outlets?
Yes, with separate headers or sub-accounts per outlet if you want separate reporting.