New Salesforce Connected Vehicle App Helps Automakers Quickly Build and Deliver Connected Car Features and Services

Salesforce has introduced Connected Vehicle, a new application within its Automotive Cloud, designed to provide automakers with a streamlined method for delivering enhanced, personalized driver experiences. This tool offers a single console equipped with industry-specific, low code/no code development tools, enabling automakers to rapidly deploy new services and features. Key capabilities include bidirectional over-the-air (OTA) data sharing and software updates between the cloud and vehicles via wireless or cellular networks.

Connected Vehicle is now generally available and allows automakers to integrate and utilize data from vehicles, IoT devices, drivers, and retail sources, facilitating near real-time personalization of driver experiences, in-car offers, and safety upgrades.

The significance of this launch lies in the growing importance of connected cars, which are expected to constitute 95% of all vehicles by the end of the decade. Salesforce’s survey reveals that drivers value connected services almost as much as a car’s brand, underscoring the importance of this technology.

Achyut Jajoo, SVP & GM of Manufacturing and Automotive at Salesforce, highlighted the transformative potential of Connected Vehicle, emphasizing how it allows automakers to provide a branded experience that is customized to individual driver needs without requiring expensive, time-consuming custom engineering.

Connected Vehicle simplifies the process of delivering tailored driver experiences by providing features that help:

– Monitor vehicle health and performance: Service teams can easily track key performance data, such as engine condition and fuel status, enabling proactive alerts and automatic task scheduling for service appointments.
– Trigger remote actions: Service representatives can remotely control vehicle features during service appointments or roadside events, aiding quicker driver recovery.
– Act on telematics data in real time: Automakers can monitor and respond to telematics data like speed and fuel consumption, providing timely safety alerts.
– Display critical vehicle information: Sales, service, and retail representatives can access a complete digital twin of the vehicle, aiding faster and more informed decisions.
– Enable branded offers: Automakers can provide personalized in-car offers based on navigation history, household information, and other data.
– Power in-vehicle purchasing: Drivers can make payments for services like parking and tolls directly from their infotainment systems.

Built on the Einstein 1 Platform, Connected Vehicle allows automakers to leverage AI to enhance customer experiences and improve operational efficiency. Key features include:

– Data integration: Automakers can unify data from various sources to monitor, analyze, and enhance vehicle performance and driver satisfaction.
– Vehicle health snapshots: AI generates vehicle health summaries with recommendations for issue resolution and performance optimization.
– Driver history overviews: Summaries of previous customer interactions and warranty information help representatives manage customer relationships more effectively.

Salesforce has partnered with industry leaders like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. to ensure seamless data integration from any source. Sony Honda Mobility plans to use Salesforce’s technology to enhance customer experiences for their upcoming AFEELA electric vehicle brand, set to launch in the U.S. in 2025.

Nimish Shrivastava, Sr. Director of Product Management at Qualcomm Technologies, emphasized the potential of Connected Vehicle to revolutionize connected car experiences, setting new standards in automotive innovation.

For more information:
– Learn more about Salesforce Automotive Cloud.
– See how Sony Honda Mobility is using Automotive Cloud to enhance customer experiences.
– Hear from Achyut Jajoo on how Salesforce is powering the future of software-defined vehicles.
– Discover how Automotive Cloud is improving connected vehicle and customer experiences with AI and automation.

Availability:
– Connected Vehicle is available today.
– Additional features like Connected Vehicle Summary and Interaction Summary will be available this fall, with further functionality planned for 2025.

Pricing:
– Features like Vehicle Status Monitoring and Remote Vehicle Actions are included with the purchase of Connected Vehicle and Automotive Cloud Enterprise or Unlimited Editions.
– Access to Data Cloud for Automotive and Einstein AI can be purchased individually or as part of Automotive Cloud Einstein 1 Sales or Service Editions.
– Access to Commerce Cloud and Marketing Cloud requires separate purchases.