In an automotive sector known for inconsistent customer experiences, one passionate entrepreneur is redefining the rules of the game. Badr El Idrissi Mokdad, co-founder and CEO of Sandra AI, is transforming how car dealerships interact with their customers through revolutionary conversational artificial intelligence technology.
It's no accident that Badr tackled the chronic customer service problems in the automotive industry. Before launching Sandra AI, he spent three years immersed in the complexities of call centers and customer service operations at McKinsey & Company and Bain & Company. This experience highlighted an uncomfortable truth: dealership communication processes were fundamentally dysfunctional.
"I saw firsthand how dealers were losing customers and revenue due to outdated communication systems," explains Badr. "In many cases, up to 30% of incoming calls went unanswered or were poorly handled. Each missed call potentially represents thousands of dollars lost."
Armed with a dual degree in Data Science from École Polytechnique and HEC Paris, Badr possesses deep technical fluency in AI, data architecture, and systems design. This rare combination of business and technical skills enabled him to identify not just the problem, but also the solution: an AI receptionist capable of handling calls with the same efficiency and warmth as a human employee.
Badr's vision for Sandra AI was clear from the beginning: create a platform that answers every call, 24/7, holds natural conversations with customers, and takes concrete actions like booking appointments, checking availability, and logging leads.
To bring this vision to life, Badr assembled an exceptional team. He partnered with Skandere Sahli, an MIT-trained AI expert who had led advanced AI projects at QuantumBlack, and Ismail Majjad, a product strategist who had designed digital solutions for the automotive sector at McKinsey. Together, they created not just Sandra, the original AI receptionist, but also Sam, a proactive sales assistant, and Amy, a smart call router.
Badr's leadership was instrumental in navigating the complex challenges of introducing disruptive technology to a traditional industry. "Convincing dealership owners to trust an AI with their valuable leads wasn't easy," he admits. "But once they saw Sandra in action, perfectly understanding customer requests and taking appropriate actions, they were convinced."
This perseverance has paid off. Under Badr's leadership, Sandra AI was accepted into Y Combinator's inaugural Fall 2024 batch, backed by prestigious VC funds and industry leaders. The company is rapidly expanding, helping dealerships from Europe to the United States significantly improve their customer service and business outcomes.
The impact of Sandra AI goes beyond operational metrics. For customers like Thomas, it's the end of frustrating waits and endless call transfers. For dealerships, it's an increase in captured leads, booked appointments, and ultimately, closed sales. And for the industry as a whole, it's a glimpse into the future of customer service—a future that Badr El Idrissi Mokdad is helping shape.
"What we're creating at Sandra AI isn't just a technological solution," explains Badr. "It's a fundamental transformation of the relationship between dealerships and their customers. We're removing friction, increasing efficiency, and making every interaction more human—even when facilitated by AI."
Badr's long-term vision for Sandra AI extends well beyond the automotive sector. He sees potential for the company's technology to transform customer service across various industries, from real estate to healthcare. But for now, he remains focused on solving one problem at a time, ensuring that every customer who calls a dealership is greeted by a friendly voice—with zero wait time.
"Our mission is simple," concludes Badr. "We want people to be surprised by how quickly and efficiently their call is handled. We want them to hang up thinking, 'That was incredibly easy.' That's how we measure our success."
With Badr El Idrissi Mokdad at the helm, Sandra AI is well-positioned to continue revolutionizing not just how dealerships handle communications, but also consumer expectations of what excellent customer service should look like in the digital age.
