Cerence AI Expands Beyond the Vehicle to New Areas of the Automotive Ecosystem with Launch of AI Agents

Core Insights - Cerence Inc. has introduced two new AI agents aimed at enhancing customer engagement in the automotive sector: the dealer assist agent and the ownership companion agent, which will be showcased at CES 2026 [2][3][9] Group 1: Dealer Assist Agent - The dealer assist agent is designed to address the disconnect between customer expectations and dealership operations, automating lead capture, test drive booking, and service scheduling [4][6] - Dealerships currently lose 15-20% of potential monthly sales due to inadequate response to leads, highlighting the need for AI tools to improve follow-up efficiency [5][6] - This agent integrates with CRM and DMS platforms to ensure seamless customer interactions, reducing response times and enhancing customer satisfaction [6][12] Group 2: Ownership Companion Agent - The ownership companion agent assists drivers with diagnostics, service scheduling, and helps them utilize advanced vehicle features, addressing the fact that over 60% of car owners do not use these features [8][9] - It provides a consistent, intelligent support experience for drivers, recognizing individual drivers and their service history to offer tailored recommendations [10][11] - The agent facilitates real-time communication between the vehicle and dealership, creating a service loop that enhances customer engagement [12] Group 3: Strategic Expansion - Cerence aims to extend its AI capabilities beyond the automotive sector, indicating potential applications in other industries that require high-volume customer engagement [7][8] - The introduction of these agents represents a strategic evolution for Cerence, enhancing its position as a leader in conversational AI and intelligent user experiences [3][9]