12:50 pm, July 14, 2026
Impel has been Highly Commended in the AI Product category at the Car Dealer Power Awards 2026.
The business has once again been recognised by dealers for helping retailers improve customer engagement, generate more opportunities and support sales teams through AI-powered technology.
The honour comes after the firm came out on top last year, with bosses happy to receive recognition once again in what is fast becoming one of our most competitive categories.
‘We won last year, so coming second this year stings!’ joked James Leese, Impel’s managing director, UK and Ireland. ‘But we’re still delighted and genuinely humbled to have been recognised again by the people who matter most – our customers. The fact that so many dealers took the time to nominate and vote for us means a great deal.’
Impel uses conversational AI to speak with customers on dealers’ websites, giving them 24/7 sales support.
Leese said this year’s honour is a strong endorsement of both the company’s technology and its people.
‘It tells us that we’re doing the right things,’ he explained. ‘Our customers don’t have to nominate us or vote for us, so the fact they chose to is incredibly rewarding.
‘It’s also a reflection of the team, who work tirelessly to help dealerships get the very best from the technology.’
Since becoming the first winner of this category 12 months ago, Impel has continued its growth across the UK, expanding to more than 300 dealers. During that time, its AI platform has handled more than 600,000 leads, facilitated over 150,000 customer engagements and booked more than 20,000 appointments.
Looking ahead, Leese believes dealers are becoming increasingly focused on how AI delivers measurable business results.
He added: ‘It’s been a really positive year. We’ve welcomed new dealer groups, seen existing customers expand Impel across additional rooftops, and continued to grow our UK team.
‘We’ll continue helping retailers create better customer experiences, support their teams and turn more opportunities into sales and aftersales revenue.’
