Suncoast -
Automotive

Driving Faster Answers with Conversational AI

RTS developed a chatbot powered by Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) on Suncoast’s documents, with a fallback OpenAI web search for broader questions.

Customers now receive instant answers to technical and business questions

Reduced workload for technicians by deflecting routine inquiries

Improved customer satisfaction with fewer delays and callbacks

Built-in feedback loop ensures continuous learning and improvement

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Overcoming Hurdles

About SunCoast

Suncoast Performance, founded in 1989 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, is a family-owned company specializing in high-performance transmissions and torque converters. Known for quality and reliability, Suncoast designs products that enhance performance for both everyday and heavy-duty diesel trucks.

The Challenge

  • Technicians Interrupted

    Highly skilled techs were frequently pulled off their work to answer repetitive customer questions

  • Customer Delays

    Many inquiries required callbacks or lengthy hold times, frustrating clients

  • Scattered Information

    Answers lived across manuals, documents, and web pages — making them difficult to surface quickly

How RTS Labs Solved It

We partnered with Suncoast to design a conversational AI chatbot that delivers real-time answers to both customers and staff.

RAG-powered search

Pulls answers directly from Suncoast’s technical manuals, policies, and product documents.

Fallback web search

When internal documents don’t have an answer, the chatbot leverages OpenAI’s search to find reliable external sources — complete with source links.

Wide Coverage

Supports questions on technical data (fluids, torque specs, product compatibility) as well as business operations (orders, warranties, return policies).

Feedback Loop

Thumbs up/down ratings and free-text feedback let users flag accuracy, driving continuous tuning and improvement.

Seamless User Experience

Provides not just answers but links to original documents on Suncoast’s website for added trust.

Collaboration in Action

The PoC was built in close partnership with Suncoast to test, learn, and refine quickly:

  • Agile Prototyping

    Delivered a working chatbot fast, proving value with real-world queries.

  • Document-First Approach

    Prioritized Suncoast’s own trusted knowledge base before pulling from the web.

  • Feedback-Driven Tuning

    Designed a system where every interaction can make the model smarter over time.

  • Scalable Vision

    Built as a foundation that could grow into a full customer service AI assistant.

The Impact

The chatbot quickly demonstrated value across both customer and employee interactions:

Faster answers

Customers now receive immediate responses to routine technical and business questions

Tech Efficiency

Skilled technicians spend less time answering repetitive calls and more time on core work

Customer Satisfaction

Fewer delays, hold times, and callbacks improve overall experience

Trust and Transparency

Providing links to source documents ensures customers know exactly where the answer came from.

Client Perspective

quotes1
Our customers used to wait on hold or for a callback to get something as simple as a torque spec. Now they can ask the chatbot and get the answer immediately. It’s taken a huge load off our techs and made our customers much happier.
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Suncoast Leader

Smart Iteration + Next Steps

Lessons Learned

  • Document integration first

    Customers and staff trust answers most when they come directly from Suncoast’s materials

  • Feedback fuels improvement

    Thumbs-up/down ratings and user notes created a natural loop for ongoing tuning

  • Hybrid approach wins

    Combining internal RAG with external web search ensured coverage across all question types

What's Next

With the proof-of-concept validated, Suncoast and RTS Labs are exploring how to scale the chatbot into a full-service AI support assistant:

  • Deep Integration

    Expand with order management and CRM systems

  • Become Predictive

    Proactive maintenance recommendations and product compatibility insights

  • Expand

    Integrate more client self-service tools to reduce inbound support volume

Ready to Take Your Workflow to the Next Level?

Let's start a conversation.