Does EITS only work with WhatsApp?

No. We support WhatsApp Business API and SMS (A2P 10DLC compliant). In LatAm we prioritize WhatsApp due to 90%+ penetration. In US and Canada we support SMS as the primary channel because it remains the service standard. We offer hybrid for markets like Hispanic US.

Is it legal to use WhatsApp for commercial messages?

Yes, through official WhatsApp Business API with customer opt-in and Meta-approved templates. We never use gray-area automations on WhatsApp Web, which do violate Meta's terms.

What is A2P 10DLC and why does it matter in the US?

It's the mandatory registration of Application-to-Person traffic over long-code 10-digit lines in the US. Without it, carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) block or filter messages. EITS handles it as part of US client onboarding.

Which has the better open rate?

SMS edges out in the US (95-98%) vs WhatsApp (70-90%). But WhatsApp wins by far on two-way engagement, conversions and video approvals. The metric that matters depends on your flow.

Can I use both on the same platform?

Yes. EITS unifies WhatsApp and SMS in a single inbox for advisors, with smart routing by customer preference, language and message type.

How much does each channel cost?

WhatsApp is billed per 24h session or per business-initiated template. SMS is billed per message. For high volumes of simple alerts, SMS is usually cheaper. For rich conversations with media, WhatsApp is more efficient. We model it in the demo based on your volume.

2026 strategic guide

WhatsApp vs SMS for car dealerships

Which channel to use, where and why. An honest guide based on real penetration, cost and conversion data in LatAm, US and Canada. EITS supports both: WhatsApp-first in LatAm, SMS-capable in US/Canada (including A2P 10DLC compliance).

EITS supports both. We pick based on your market.

We are not a single-channel vendor. We help you choose the right mix based on where you operate.

LatAm (Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Central America)

WhatsApp Business API

90%+ penetration across most markets. SMS is residual and associated with spam or bank alerts.

US + Canada

SMS (with A2P 10DLC) + optional WhatsApp

SMS remains the service standard in dealerships. We support A2P 10DLC compliant campaigns. WhatsApp is complementary for Hispanic customers or those with family in LatAm.

Hispanic US / border markets

WhatsApp + SMS hybrid

Hispanic customers in the US use WhatsApp for long conversations and SMS for quick confirmations. We offer both on the same platform.

The data that matters

Why channel choice changes by market.

90%+

WhatsApp penetration in LatAm

The #1 personal and commercial communication channel. Almost synonymous with 'having internet'.

98%

SMS open rate (US)

Highest open rate in the US, especially for service appointments and confirmations.

Higher WhatsApp vs SMS engagement

Two-way conversations with photo, video, documents and inline approvals.

<3min

Expected response time

On both channels customers expect near-immediate response. That's why you need 24/7 AI agents.

Detailed technical comparison

Key differences between WhatsApp Business API and SMS for dealerships.

Capability	WhatsApp Business API	SMS (A2P 10DLC)
Optimal market	LatAm + Hispanic US	US + Canada
Typical open rate	70-90%	95-98%
Rich two-way conversation	Yes (text, photo, video, PDF, voice)	Limited (text + MMS)
Cost per message	Per 24h session or template	Per individual message
Service approvals with video MPI	Native, 1 click	Requires external link
Quick appointment confirmations	Yes	Yes (simpler)
Interactive buttons / quick replies	Yes	No
Embedded location / payment / catalog	Yes	No
US regulatory compliance	Meta Business policy	TCPA + A2P 10DLC mandatory
Mandatory opt-in	Yes (24h window)	Yes (TCPA)
Verified brand profile	Meta green tick	Sender ID / shortcode
Best for	Service approvals, KYC, long conversations	Reminders, confirmations, alerts

Use cases by channel

What works best in each based on the dealership flow.

Better on WhatsApp

Additional Service Recommendation approvals with video MPI
KYC and identity verification with ID photo
Conversational parts quoting with photo of the part
Lead pre-qualification for test drives (LatAm)
Post-sale follow-up with interactive CSI surveys
Browseable inventory catalog inside the chat

Better on SMS

Service appointment reminders (US/Canada)
'Vehicle ready for pickup' confirmation
Overdue payment or insurance renewal alerts
2FA verification codes
Mass campaigns in the US with A2P 10DLC compliance
Quick notifications that don't require a reply

Decision framework: 4 questions

Answer these and you'll know which channel to prioritize.

Where is 60%+ of your customer base?

LatAm → WhatsApp. US/Canada → SMS. Mixed → hybrid.

How much of the flow needs photos/video (MPI, KYC, parts)?

A lot → WhatsApp wins natively. Little → SMS is enough.

Is your volume high and mostly simple alerts?

Yes → SMS is cheaper. No → WhatsApp per session is competitive.

Do you need TCPA/A2P 10DLC compliance in the US?

Yes → make sure your vendor supports it. EITS does.

How EITS does it

One messaging engine with two channels.

Official WhatsApp Business API

Direct integration with Meta Business Platform, not gray-area WhatsApp Web automation.

A2P 10DLC compliant SMS

For US campaigns we use tier-1 providers with brand registration and TCPA compliance.

Smart routing per customer

The system picks WhatsApp or SMS based on customer preference, language, country and message type.

Same unified inbox for the dealer

The advisor sees the full conversation in one thread, regardless of source channel.

AI agents on both channels

The same pre-qualification, KYC and service approval flows run on WhatsApp and SMS.

Want to see which channel fits you best?

30-min guided demo with analysis of your market, current volume and recommended WhatsApp/SMS mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before getting started.