The F1 Playbook

Winning on Speed, with Gary Foote, CIO at GM Performance Power Units

The F1 Playbook

Gary Foote, CIO at GM Performance Power Units

The F1 Playbook

Winning on Speed, with Gary Foote, CIO at GM Performance Power Units

Why Podium

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Podium vs. Matador

Compare Podium and Matador on AI lead response, live call handling, appointment booking, AI customization, and customer communication for automotive dealerships.

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What customers are saying about Matador

“[Matador] is glitchy, doesn’t seem to create any more engagement.”

—Laura B., Client Advisor

“[Matador] is glitchy, doesn’t seem to create any more engagement.”

—Laura B., Client Advisor

“The AI isn’t there yet [with Matador] talking wise.”

—Kolbe P.

“The AI isn’t there yet [with Matador] talking wise.”

—Kolbe P.

Podium

Matador

App Store Rating*

4.7

32K+ ratings

3.4

22 ratings

Google Play Store rating*

4.4

3.5K+ ratings

3.6

14 ratings

How Podium and Matador compare

Take a closer look at what each platform offers and how your dealership can use it to manage sales and service conversations.

1. AI customization and control

With AI Studio, dealership managers can update Jerry, Podium’s AI Employee, using plain-language instructions. Teams can flag incorrect responses directly in the inbox and adjust Jerry’s responses and workflows without submitting developer tickets. Dealerships using AI Studio have seen 26% higher conversion.

Matador lets dealerships customize AI Reply with plain-language instructions and configure rules for call routing, transfers, and other workflows. However, changes to Call AI conversation prompts must go through Matador’s team rather than dealership managers making those changes directly.

2. Natural AI conversations and lead response

Jerry, responds to leads 24/7, answers vehicle questions, and books test drives in a natural, humanlike voice. He handles conversations across text, chat, and phone, including when the dealership is closed or the sales team is busy.

Matador’s AI Engage responds to new leads, while AI Reply handles ongoing conversations and books appointments. Its AI tools use dealership information, inventory, and customer inquiries to tailor responses across supported channels.

3. Inbound call handling and service booking

Podium’s Voice AI answers incoming calls 24/7, handles customer questions, and books service appointments directly into Xtime and Tekion. With support for more than 200 service operation codes, it can manage a wide range of service requests without involving a service advisor. Podium’s Voice AI has resolved 87% of calls without transferring to a live employee.

Matador’s Call AI handles live inbound calls for sales, service, and reception. It responds to routine questions, routes calls to dealership staff, and books service appointments through integrations with Xtime and Tekion.

4. Automated lead follow-up

Jerry automatically follows up with shoppers who haven’t responded or booked a test drive, answering questions and working to turn conversations into appointments. Every message stays in Podium’s inbox, giving sales teams visibility into the conversation and the ability to step in when needed. Jerry continues working leads after hours, so follow-up doesn’t depend on staff availability.

Matador’s AI Follow-Up automatically re-engages shoppers who haven’t responded or booked an appointment. It uses previous conversations to personalize outreach, schedule appointments, and route responses to AI Reply for continued engagement.

5. Customer communication, reviews, and payments

Podium brings calls, texts, webchat, and other lead channels into one inbox, so dealership teams can manage conversations without switching between tools. Dealerships can also automate review requests, use AI to draft responses to customer reviews, and collect payments through text or in person.

Matador’s unified inbox lets dealerships manage customer conversations across text, voice, chat, email, and supported social channels. It also offers SMS broadcasts, automated review invitations, and Google Reviews support.

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Podium vs. Matador at a glance

Before Podium

Podium

Matador

AI customization

Update Jerry’s responses and workflows directly through AI Studio

Customize AI Reply; Call AI prompt changes require Matador’s team

24/7 sales engagement

Jerry answers leads, handles questions, and books test drives 24/7

AI Engage and AI Reply respond to leads and book appointments

Inbound Voice AI

Answers calls 24/7, with 87% resolved without a transfer

Handles live sales, service, and reception calls

Service appointment booking

Books directly into Xtime and Tekion, supporting 200+ service codes

Books through integrations, including Xtime and Tekion

Automated lead follow-up

Jerry follows up, answers questions, and books test drives

AI Follow-Up re-engages leads through automated campaigns

Customer communication

Calls, texts, webchat, and other lead channels in one inbox

Unified inbox for text, voice, chat, email, and social channels

Reviews and payments

Review requests, AI-assisted responses, and payment collection

Review invitations and Google Reviews support

Feature availability and integrations may depend on the dealership’s systems and purchased products.

Speak with a Podium expert

Choose Podium if:

You want to update AI responses and workflows yourself without developer tickets or support requests.
You want proven results from AI-powered call handling, lead response, and appointment booking.
You want automated follow-up with full visibility into conversations and the ability for staff to step in.
You want calls, texts, webchat, reviews, and payments in one platform.

Choose Matador if:

You want an automotive-focused platform with established SMS automation and broadcast messaging.
You need automated campaigns to nurture leads over longer periods.
You prefer to work with a vendor’s team on changes to your Call AI prompts.

How Van Horn Auto booked 607 test drives in 30 days with Podium

Van Horn Auto uses Podium’s AI Employee across 15 dealership locations to respond to leads, book test drives, and manage customer conversations. With customized acquisition and trade-in workflows, the dealership group booked 607 test drives in just 30 days while delivering responses that reflect how its team communicates with shoppers.

“We want our AI Employee to sound like a Van Horn employee.”
—Tina Tasche, Innovation & Technology Specialist, Van Horn Auto

See what Podium can do for your dealership

Frequently asked questions