The Best Two-Way Radios for Car Dealerships
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your dealership, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for car dealerships?
The customer in the showroom just asked for a test drive, but the keys are still locked in the manager’s office.
A buyer is waiting in service to talk financing, but no one’s told the finance team. A car’s been detailed and ready to show for 20 minutes, but the sales rep still doesn’t know.
These are all common issues in a dealership - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios....
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your dealership, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your team’s needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For small dealerships, 1 to 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get from 100k - 200k sqft of coverage.
Larger dealerships (or multiple buildings), covering up to 350,000 square feet, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
You also need to take obstructions and building materials into account. If you have thick concrete walls, it may be necessary to go 1-watt stronger.
For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for Car Dealerships:
- Sales would have their own channel to coordinate test drives, locate vehicles, and check availability without clogging up other departments.
- Service would use a separate channel to manage vehicle intake, updates, and technician availability.
- Parts would have a dedicated line to quickly respond to service requests or check inventory without delay.
- Detailing would use their channel to signal when vehicles are ready for pickup or showroom display.
- Management might have a private channel for sensitive conversations or to coordinate between departments when needed.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great car dealership radio?
Clear Audio Quality – Dealerships can be noisy with engines running, music playing, and doors opening and closing. Radios need to cut through the noise, so nothing gets missed.
Long Battery Life – Salespeople and techs are on the move all day. Radios should last a full shift (or longer) without needing a charge.
Durability – Drops happen. Look for radios that can handle everyday bumps, scrapes, and even the occasional fall off a desk or service cart.
Hands-Free Options – Headsets or earpieces make it easy to multitask, especially for team members showing cars or working in service bays.
Good Range Coverage – Whether it’s a large lot, multiple buildings, or even an off-site storage area, radios need to keep the team connected across the entire property.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Car Dealerships
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for dealerships of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Small Dealerships
For typical car dealership layouts, you’ll want a compact and lightweight radio that is discreet and easy to carry. Offering modest power and 1 to a handful of channels, you will have enough groups to keep operations running smoothly.
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Channels: 4 Power: 2 watt Frequency: UHF (450-470 MHz) Coverage: 250,000 sqft |
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The Motorola RMU2040 would be a perfect radio for your dealership if you...
- Have users who are rough with their radios
- Work in an area less than 250,000 square feet
- Need to send a signal around steel and concrete
- Require hands-free operation
This is a UHF radio with four channels. You can segment your staff into four different groups for more effective communication.
The RMU2040 is a machine that pushes out the sound with two watts of power and an outdoor range of up to two miles.
It also has an indoor range of 20 floors or up to 250,000 square feet.
The device uses lithium-ion batteries. So you’re going to have power throughout the day. It also comes with a standing charging tray, a wall charger that plugs into power outlets, and a belt clip.
This is a radio that performs under harsh or stressful conditions with a strength of signal which easily gets around concrete and steel.
Make no mistake about it; this is one sturdy radio.
Its military-grade hardware is composed of materials that meet the MIL-STD 810 and IP-55 standards. That means it can take a licking and keep on ticking.
It comes with 219 different privacy codes that protect against interference and crosstalk. You won’t have to worry about hobbyists or any competitors interfering with your signal.
The customized channel announcement feature also allows you to operate the device hands-free.
If you think that the Motorola RMU2040 would be perfect for your crew, reach out to us for a free customized quote.
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Compact and powerful. Easy to use and great battery life. Channels: 6 Power: 2 watts; UHF Coverage: 275,000 sqft Display, VOX |
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The Kenwood PKT300 would be a perfect radio for your dealership if you...
- Work in an area less than 275,000 square feet
- Need to send a signal around steel and concrete
- Require hands-free operation
This is a UHF radio with six channels. You can segment your staff into six different groups for more effective communication.
The PKT300 pushes out sound with two watts of power and an outdoor range of up to two miles.
It also has an indoor range of 20 floors or up to 275,000 square feet.
This is one easy-to-use, sturdy radio.
If you think that the Kenwood PKT300 would be perfect for your team, reach out to us for a free customized quote.
Honorable Mentions:
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One of the most durable radios on the market. Channels: 8 Power: 2 watts; UHF Coverage: 250,000 sqft / 25 floors Display for ease of use, extremely durable |
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Larger Dealerships - Multiple Buildings
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Channels: 50 Power: 1 Watt; Digital (equates to 4 watt analog) Coverage: 350,000 sqft Flexible Call Options (call-all available, private reply), No FCC License Required! |
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This digital beauty is the closest thing you’ll get to a cell phone without the monthly bill.
The DTR700 runs on a 900 MHz ISM band which means no FCC licenses apply to the use of this radio.
With up to 200 contacts and 50 groups for all the flexibility you need in your communication.
The Motorola DTR700 covers three miles, making it ideal for most dealerships.
This device can communicate up to 350,000 square feet using a long whip antenna.
Best Nationwide Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)
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Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states. Unlimited coverage through LTE and WiFi, eliminating traditional radio limitations. GPS Tracking to locate staff Emergency button for staff safety Talk to radios from your phone! Requires monthly subscription per device. ‘Lease-to-Own’ payment options available to help with upfront costs and get you started ASAP. |
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your dealership – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!