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ActivEngage — DealerRefresh Vendor Library
ActivEngage, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Maitland, Florida, is a managed live chat and digital messaging platform purpose-built for automotive…
ActivEngage
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ActivEngage, founded in 2007 and headquartered in Maitland, Florida, is a managed live chat and digital messaging platform purpose-built for automotive dealerships, dealer groups, and OEMs. The company provides human-powered (no-bot) managed chat, SMS/text messaging, and omnichannel engagement services that help dealers qualify shoppers, set appointments, and generate leads 24/7. Its product suite also spans service scheduling, reputation management, and an AI Suite of tools (debuted at NADA 2026) designed to augment — not replace — live agent conversations.
What you do with it
engage and qualify those shoppers in real time through human-powered chat and messaging, so they can capture more leads and set more appointments from existing website traffic
When website visitors are browsing inventory or considering service but won't call or email
provide 24/7 managed messaging so no inbound conversation goes unanswered, so they can maintain continuous lead generation without adding headcount
When a dealer's staff cannot cover chat coverage gaps — evenings, weekends, or high-volume periods
integrate managed messaging outputs directly into platforms like Elead, CDK, and Cox Automotive tools, so they can reduce manual data entry and keep lead records accurate across systems
When a dealer needs chat and messaging data to flow into their existing CRM and digital retailing stack
Community evidence → Stable
The DealerRefresh community — including dealers, industry voices, and vendor partners — broadly affirms that ActivEngage delivers on its core promise of converting passive website visitors into qualified leads through human-staffed chat, with Russell Blackstone's hands-on success story and Brian Pasch's AWA endorsement serving as the strongest practitioner-level validations. DealerRefresh founder Jeff Kershner explicitly calls them 'one of our industries BEST,' lending significant community credibility. Criticism is narrow but real: the platform has been flagged for Windows-only availability, limited interface customization, and requiring paid upgrades to unlock Saturday support — friction points that matter operationally for smaller or mixed-environment dealer groups. OEM recognition (GM iMR approval, Chrysler PAP co-op) and deep integrations with CDK, Cox Automotive, and Elead reinforce institutional confidence, but the community record contains no candid dealer-voice debate about chat quality, agent performance, or ROI metrics beyond the vendor's own promotional framing.
Human-powered 24/7 chat as a lead capture differentiator7 mentions
OEM and co-op program approvals (GM iMR, Chrysler PAP)2 mentions
CRM and platform integrations (Elead, CDK, Cox Automotive)4 mentions
Platform limitations — Windows-only, customization constraints, Saturday support paywalled2 mentions
Industry awards and third-party endorsements2 mentions
Continuous product expansion (AI Suite, ActivOne, omnichannel messaging)4 mentions
Thought leadership and educational content (eBooks, AutoChatter, CSI content)4 mentions
Community credibility and long-standing DealerRefresh sponsorship2 mentions
79 mentions · 50 positive · 3 negative · Scored from 20+ years of candid DealerRefresh discussion. Scores shift as new conversations happen.
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage, the automotive industry's premium live dealer chat with business intelligence for dealer websites, today announced the release of ActivConnect, a new dealership website tool bar that lets consumers interact with the dealership via Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, DealerRater, live chat and more, all without leaving the dealership website."
ActivEngage's New ActivConnect Tool Bar →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage ([URL="http://www.activengage.com"]www.ActivEngage.com[/URL]), the automotive industry's premier provider of proactive live chat for dealer websites, today announced the launch of multiple language translation for live chat on auto dealership websites."
ActivEngage Now Offers Multiple Languages for Live Chat on Auto Dealer Websites →
POSITIVE
"General Motors has approved the company as an iMR (inMarketRetail) Match eligible turnkey vendor for dealership live chat. All GM dealers who are a part of this program can now use iMR funds for ActivEngage live chat services."
General Motors Approves ActivEngage As IMR Match Eligible Turnkey Vendor For Live Chat →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage, the automotive industry's premier provider of proactive live chat with business intelligence for dealer websites, today announced the launch of a custom Facebook application to increase online engagement and reach for auto dealerships."
ActivEngage Launches New Facebook Application →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage (www.ActivEngage.com), the automotive industry's premier provider of proactive live chat for dealer websites, today announced the expansion of the full-service ActivConcierge to include new features to decrease abandonment rates and increase lead submission."
ActivEngage Expands ActivConcierge Service to Increase Auto Dealership Website Leads →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage announced a new integration with CDK Global's Elead CRM that enables inbound chat lead data to be securely pushed directly into the Elead platform, positioning ActivEngage as the first and only automotive messaging solution with this capability."
ActivEngage Advanced Chat and CRM Integration with New Elead Lead Delivery API →
POSITIVE
"Carfax and ActivEngage Inc. Partner to Provide Consumers with Vehicle History Information Through Live Chat"
Carfax, ActivEngage Inc. Partner to Provide Consumers with Vehicle History Information Through Live Chat →
POSITIVE
"DealerRefresh Welcomes a new sponsor - activEngage. Making your marketing dollar produce more results is what drives every employee at ActivEngage. Helping your dealership achieve better results and capture more leads from your dealership's website. ActivEngage offers live chat concierge level services to your website customers to help them navigate your website, while engaging them in a powerful live sales chat."
activEngage - New DealerRefresh Ad Sponsor →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage and HookLogic Partner to Provide Comprehensive Solution for Automotive Dealers... two leading technology providers in the automotive marketing industry, ActivEngage and HookLogic, announced a strategic alliance combining the companies' live chat and targeted incentive technologies into a comprehensive solution for automotive dealers."
ActivEngage and HookLogic Partner to Provide Comprehensive Solution for Automotive Dealers →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage announced winning a 2023 AWA Award for Conversational Commerce in their Managed Messaging services, with an endorsement from industry expert Brian Pasch praising their ability to provide scaled, professional customer service on behalf of dealers. Jeff Kershner, the DealerRefresh founder, affirmed ActivEngage's credibility by noting their long-standing support of the community and describing them as 'one of our industries BEST'"
Not to brag, but... →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage, the automotive industry's premium dealer chat software with business intelligence, today announced the launch of a unique program to help Toyota dealers communicate recall information to customers on dealership websites via live chat."
ActivEngage Program Helps Toyota Dealers →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage (www.ActivEngage.com), the automotive industry's premier provider of proactive live chat marketing for dealer websites, today announced the release of the industry's first live chat eBook: "Seven Reasons Live Chat Fails.""
ActivEngage Releases New eBook for Auto Dealers: Seven Reasons Live Chat Fails →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage is offering complimentary 2021 ROI reviews to dealerships, covering SEO audits, digital customer experience analysis, and campaign performance across Google and social media."
2022 is here! ActivEngage can help you review your 2021 vendor performance. →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage promoted their dealership live chat solution, emphasizing their responsive customer support team that provides onboarding and maintains regular contact with dealers, with a maximum 5-minute response time commitment."
Looking for a dealership live chat partner with a quality support team? →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage, a managed live messaging provider for dealerships since 2007 and DealerRefresh's first-ever sponsor, is reviewed across 45 threads covering their 24/7 human-agent chat, SMS, and video services. The thread synthesizes community feedback on their platform integrations, conversational commerce tools, and Cox Automotive partnerships. Dealers weighing outsourced messaging will find a seasoned vendor with deep community ties and a broad feature set worth evaluating."
Community Review: ActivEngage →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage announced their presence at NADA 2023 with two booth locations: booth 3619 (shared with Dealer.com and Accelerate My Deal to showcase Cox Automotive integrations) and booth 1545 (with General Motors to discuss GM DealerChat functionality)"
Happy NADA 2023 Day! →
POSITIVE
"Cox Automotive announced a partnership with ActivEngage to integrate face-to-face video chat capabilities into their messaging platform across major brands including Autotrader, Accelerate My Deal, Dealer.com, and Kelley Blue Book, launching in Q2 2023."
Cox Automotive and ActivEngage have exciting news for automotive dealers and consumers! →
POSITIVE
"We are currently partnered with the best automotive technology vendors, so if you've been reading DealerRefresh you can expect to become familiar with: Dealer.com, iMagicLab, ActivEngage and a few"
Checkered Flag Internet Department →
POSITIVE
"Stephen Jackson from ActiveEngage promotes a free eBook titled "Epidemic! The 8 Diseases Plaguing Dealer Websites" that identifies eight conversion-killing mentalities affecting dealer websites and offers solutions for each."
There are eight diseases killing dealer websites. →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage announced their new TikTok account (@activengageofficial) and shared sample videos featuring content about industry events and their messaging platform. The thread generated positive feedback, with ActivEngage emphasizing TikTok's unique value for dealerships in increasing visibility and humanizing brands"
ActivEngage is now on TikTok! →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage sponsored DealerKnows Summer Camp '23, an unconventional industry conference organized by Joe Webb and Bill Playford that emphasized outdoor team building and best practice sharing rather than traditional trade show formats."
DealerKnows Summer Camp '23...the shake-up conference we all needed! →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage is promoting their sponsorship of the Recharge Lounge at Digital Dealer Tampa 2022 (May 9-11) and inviting attendees to visit their booth (#105) for phone charging, refreshments, and information about their ActivTarget behavioral offer tool."
Digital Dealer Tampa 2022 — Will We See You There? →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage confirms their support team offers these communication methods, validating the broader industry insight that technology vendors need to provide accessible, digitally-native support channels."
Managed Messaging with a Live, Dedicated Support Team! →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage announced MyDrive, a new video-based test drive product that allows customers to experience vehicles remotely through showcases of the car's interior, exterior, and driving characteristics."
New Product Announcement?! →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage is promoting a free digital analysis service for fixed operations departments, covering SEO optimization across Google My Business, online directories, social media, and paid search."
Fire Up Your Fixed-Ops with a FREE Digital Analysis! →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage hosted a "Recharge Lounge" at Digital Dealer Las Vegas 2022, offering attendees a space to decompress away from the conference hustle."
Digital Dealer Las Vegas 2022 "AE"ppreciation! →
POSITIVE
"BrendanHirstAE from ActivEngage promotes dealer text software by sharing statistics showing massive growth in mobile business messaging (2.7 trillion messages globally in 2020), arguing this reflects customer preference for text-based communication with businesses."
Are you utilizing dealer text software? It's worth a look! →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage promotes their Certified and Co-Op programs, highlighting that dealerships can use existing OEM co-op budget dollars to fund their messaging services. The key benefit emphasized is enabling 24/7 live customer service on dealership websites to capture and engage potential customers who might otherwise leave without contact."
Did you know... →
POSITIVE
"A vendor representative from ActivEngage promotes the benefits of implementing a live chat platform on dealership websites, arguing that real-time messaging can improve customer experience."
3 Reasons You Need... →
POSITIVE
"ActivEngage announced an exclusive partnership with Cox Automotive Inc. to integrate its 24/7 messaging solutions into Cox's digital retailing platforms including Dealer.com, Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and VinSolutions."
A VERY exciting announcement! →
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