A tyre price quote on WhatsApp should take seconds, not hours. The customer sends the size, say 205/55R16, or a photo of the sidewall; an AI trained on your own price list replies with two or three brand options, for example from RM230 per tyre, notes that the price is subject to stock and a fitting check, and books a fitting slot.
RM0.35 and RM0.06 in this article and its supplied illustrations are planning assumptions, not verified current Meta quotations. Gupshup's October announcement describes 1,000 free service replies per business phone number per month, then eligible service charges from 1 October 2026. Utility templates do not use that allowance. Inbound messages and qualifying 72-hour free entry point messages remain exempt. Confirm the recipient market, applicable rate card, free allowance and provider fees before budgeting. Figures below exclude tax and any unlisted costs.
Examples show a proposed workflow, not a guarantee that every account or plan supports it. Ask our team to confirm the channel, integration, permissions and delivery method for your setup. Staff-group notifications and group assistants require separate eligibility and integration checks; a standard one-to-one WhatsApp API account should not be assumed to access every existing staff group. Use approved individual notifications or a staff dashboard if group delivery is unavailable. Test the workflow and human handover before use.
- The typical tyre enquiry on WhatsApp is a short question: 'How much for this size?' An AI can answer it in seconds, 24/7.
- The AI quotes only from your shop's own price list, never from the internet, and always says the price is subject to stock and a fitting check.
- Customers can type the size (e.g. 205/55R16), send a photo of the sidewall, or just give the car model so the AI can ask for the size.
- Offer two or three options (budget, mid-range, premium) as numbered replies instead of a long list.
- Every quote and fitting booking is saved to Google Sheets, so your team can follow up on customers who did not reply.
- Update prices in one place when your supplier changes them; the AI uses the new list from the next chat.
Why do tyre shops lose customers on WhatsApp?
A tyre customer can message several shops at once. A fast, clear price gives you a better chance.
Tyres are easy to compare. A driver who notices a worn tread or a slow puncture can send the same message to several shops in a minute: size, quantity, "how much?" A shop that replies quickly with a clear price and an available slot is in a stronger position than one that replies tomorrow.
The problem is that a tyre shop is busy on the floor. The mechanic who knows the prices is under a car, the counter staff are handling walk-ins, and messages pile up. Typical gaps (general observations, not survey data):
- Late replies. A message at 9pm is answered the next afternoon, after the customer has already booked elsewhere.
- Unclear quotes. "RM300+" without the brand, whether fitting is included, or whether the tyre is in stock.
- Back-and-forth about the size. The customer does not know the size, so the chat stalls.
- No follow-up. Nobody remembers who asked for a quote last week and never came in.
Each of these is a speed and consistency problem, which is exactly what automation handles well.
How does an instant tyre price quote on WhatsApp work?
A tyre price quote on WhatsApp works best as a short, predictable conversation. With ChatsHero, you train the AI on your own price list, the brands you carry, what is included (fitting, balancing, valve, disposal) and your opening hours. Training is as easy as chatting with ChatGPT: paste the list, send a screenshot of your price sheet, or record a voice note.
- Customer asks. They type the size, send a photo of the sidewall, or give the car model.
- AI confirms the size. If only the car model is given, the AI asks for the size printed on the tyre, because the same model can come with different rim sizes.
- AI quotes from your list. Two or three options as numbered replies, with the price per tyre and what it includes.
- AI states the condition. "Price subject to stock and a fitting check at the shop."
- AI books a slot. The customer picks a time, and the booking is saved for your team.
If the customer asks something outside the list, such as a rare size, a run-flat tyre or a damaged rim, the AI hands the chat to a staff member and sends a "Human Agent Needed" alert to your team's WhatsApp group.
What should the AI know about tyre sizes like 205/55R16?
Customers write tyre sizes in many ways: "205 55 16", "205/55/R16", "20555r16", or just "16 inch". A trained AI should treat all of these as the same size and confirm it back in the standard format before quoting.
| Part of 205/55R16 91V | Meaning | Why it matters for the quote |
|---|---|---|
| 205 | Tyre width in millimetres | Must match exactly |
| 55 | Sidewall height as % of width | Must match exactly |
| R16 | Radial tyre for a 16-inch rim | Rim size decides which list applies |
| 91 | Load index | Should be equal or higher than the original |
| V | Speed rating | Should be equal or higher than the original |
Tyre makers explain the load index and speed rating in their consumer guides; see Michelin Malaysia's explanation. Your AI does not need to lecture customers about this. It only needs to know which products in your list fit the size, and to flag anything unusual to a staff member.
The AI quotes; your technician decides. Load index, speed rating and whether a tyre suits the car are checked at the shop before fitting. The AI should never tell a customer that a lower rating is "fine".
How do I set up a tyre shop WhatsApp chatbot with my own price list?
Your price list is the heart of the setup. The AI only quotes what you give it, so keep the list clean and current.
- Group by rim size. List 14", 15", 16", 17" and 18" sizes separately, with the brands you stock for each.
- Pick three tiers per size. A budget, a mid-range and a premium option are enough for most chats. Fewer choices make faster decisions.
- Say what is included. Fitting, balancing, new valve, old tyre disposal. If alignment is extra, give its price too, e.g. RM40 (example).
- Add your rules. "Price per tyre", "subject to stock", "promotion valid while stocks last", "cash or card at the shop".
- Update when suppliers change prices. Edit one list; the AI uses the new prices from the next conversation.
The golden rule: the AI never invents a price. If a size is not on your list, it says so and passes the chat to your team.
If your customers mix English, Bahasa Melayu and Chinese in one message ("boss, tayar 16 inci berapa ah?"), the AI still understands. We explain how in our guide to AI and Bahasa Rojak.
What does a tyre quote conversation look like?
Here is an illustrative chat for a fictional shop, Speedway Tyre Centre in Ipoh. The customer starts with the car model, sends a photo of the tyre, gets three options, adds an alignment and books a Saturday slot, all in a few minutes on a weeknight.
Notice three details. The AI asks for the size instead of guessing from the car model. It gives numbered options, so the customer only needs to reply "1", "2" or "3". And it repeats the condition that the final price depends on stock and a check at the shop, so there are no surprises at the counter.
What if the customer sends a photo?
When trained, the AI can read the size from a clear photo of the sidewall. If the photo is blurry or taken at an angle, it politely asks the customer to type the size or take another photo in daylight.
How do I track every tyre quote and follow up?
A quote that is never followed up is a lost sale. ChatsHero records every enquiry in Google Sheets automatically: customer name, WhatsApp number, car, tyre size, option chosen, slot and status.
- RecordEvery quote lands in your Google Sheet with size, option and status.
- RemindA polite follow-up goes to customers who asked but did not book.
- ReportA daily summary of quotes and bookings goes to your team's WhatsApp group.
A simple follow-up the next day works well: "Hi Encik Faizal, still need the 205/55R16 tyres? Sat 10am and 2pm slots are open. Reply 1 to book 🙏". Keep it to one reminder, so it stays helpful, not pushy.
Want to see how this looks with your own business? WhatsApp us and chat with the ChatsHero AI.
Instant AI quote or manual reply: which is better for a tyre shop?
Most shops end up with both: the AI handles routine price questions, and staff handle the unusual ones.
| Manual replies | AI tyre price quote on WhatsApp | |
|---|---|---|
| Reply time at 10pm | Next day | Seconds |
| Price consistency | Depends on who replies | Always from your list |
| Size check | Often skipped | Confirmed before quoting |
| Record of quotes | Scattered in phones | Google Sheets |
| Rare sizes, rim damage, warranty claims | Staff | Handed over to staff |
Plans start from RM350 a month (Starter, billed annually) with unlimited messages within the platform. Compare the options on our pricing page.
What does WhatsApp cost and how do I stay within the rules?
ChatsHero runs on the official WhatsApp Business API. Meta's per-message fees are billed to your own WhatsApp account, separate from your ChatsHero plan. In Malaysia (Meta's rates, which may change), a utility message such as a booking confirmation is illustrated here at RM0.06, and a marketing message such as a tyre promotion an assumed RM0.35. From 1 October 2026, free-form eligible service replies above the monthly 1,000-message allowance per phone number inside the customer-service window are also charged per message, using an illustrative utility-rate assumption (see Meta's pricing page and this summary of the change).
- Message people who contacted you or opted in. The official API lowers the risk of your number being restricted, but numbers that many people block or report get a lower quality rating.
- Keep promotions separate. A booking reminder that includes a "buy 3 free 1" offer is charged as marketing.
- Protect customer data. Car plate numbers and phone numbers are personal data under the Personal Data Protection Act 2010. Collect only what you need and stop promotions when a customer asks.
Setting this up for a busy tyre bay? Read about the ChatsHero team behind the setup, and keep your price list in one place so every quote on WhatsApp stays consistent. Related motor-trade guides are in our blog archive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can an AI give a tyre price quote on WhatsApp automatically?
Yes. Once trained on your shop's price list, an AI such as ChatsHero replies to size and price questions in seconds, 24/7, and books fitting slots. It only quotes prices from your list and states that the final price is subject to stock and a check at the shop.
What if the customer does not know their tyre size?
The AI asks for the size printed on the tyre sidewall, or a clear photo of it. Because the same car model can use different rim sizes, it should not guess the size from the model alone.
Will the AI quote a wrong price if my supplier changes prices?
The AI uses whatever list you give it. When prices change, update the list once and the AI uses the new prices from the next conversation. Anything not on the list is handed to your staff.
Can the chatbot handle Malay and Chinese customers?
Yes. ChatsHero replies in English, Bahasa Melayu and Chinese, and understands customers who mix languages in one message.
What happens with warranty claims or damaged rims?
These need a person. The AI hands the chat over and sends a Human Agent Needed alert to your team's WhatsApp group, so a technician can reply.
How much does it cost to reply to tyre enquiries on WhatsApp?
ChatsHero plans start from RM350 a month (Starter, annual billing). Meta's WhatsApp message fees are separate and billed to your own WhatsApp account; from 1 October 2026 eligible service replies above the monthly 1,000-message allowance per phone number inside the customer-service window are also charged using an illustrative utility-rate assumption (≈ RM0.06 each).