CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for new car dealers in Michigan
717 new car dealers operated in Michigan in 2023. Where they are, how big their teams are, and what phone service costs them.
- Establishments
- 717CBP 2023
- Employees
- 37,129mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 7.1U.S. 6.4
- State rank
- 8th of 50by count
New car dealers in Michigan by the numbers
The Census Bureau counted 717 new car dealers in Michigan in its 2023 County Business Patterns (NAICS 441110). They employed 37,129 people in mid-March and reported $2.8 billion in annual payroll. That is the 8th highest count among the 50 states and DC with published figures. New car dealers make up 0.31% of the 229,564 business establishments in the state.
Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Michigan has 7.1 new car dealers, 9.8% above the national rate of 6.4. The average establishment has 51.8 employees against 51.6 nationally. Payroll per employee is $75,706, 4.5% below the U.S. figure of $79,300.
| Measure | Michigan | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 717 | 21,910 |
| Mid-March employees | 37,129 | 1,131,340 |
| Annual payroll | $2,810,902,000 | $89,715,562,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 51.8 | 51.6 |
| Payroll per employee | $75,706 | $79,300 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 7.1 | 6.4 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Michigan's largest markets for new car dealers
Census published new car dealership counts for 35 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Michigan. The largest is Detroit, MI, with 263 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 89% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.
| Area | Establishments | Employees | Per 100k residents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit, MI | 263 | 15,856 | 6.0 |
| Grand Rapids, MI | 75 | 3,797 | 6.4 |
| Lansing, MI | 33 | 2,192 | 6.9 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | 32 | 1,595 | 8.6 |
| Flint, MI | 26 | 2,130 | 6.5 |
| South Bend, IN-MI | 22 | 1,239 | 6.8 |
| Saginaw, MI | 20 | 1,278 | 10.7 |
| Traverse City, MI | 17 | 837 | 10.9 |
| Kalamazoo, MI | 15 | 966 | 5.7 |
| Battle Creek, MI | 13 | 498 | 9.7 |
| Monroe, MI | 12 | 557 | 7.7 |
| Muskegon, MI | 11 | 552 | 6.2 |
| Jackson, MI | 10 | 507 | 6.2 |
| Niles, MI | 10 | 335 | 6.5 |
| Holland, MI | 10 | 411 | 8.2 |
| Bay City, MI | 10 | 479 | 9.7 |
| Adrian, MI | 8 | 308 | 8.2 |
| Iron Mountain, MI-WI | 8 | 158 | 26.1 |
| Marinette, WI-MI | 7 | 229 | 10.7 |
| Owosso, MI | 6 | 338 | 8.8 |
| Marquette, MI | 6 | 282 | 8.8 |
| Sturgis, MI | 6 | 130 | 9.8 |
| Midland, MI | 5 | 290 | 6.0 |
| Cadillac, MI | 5 | 176 | 10.1 |
| Coldwater, MI | 5 | 107 | 10.8 |
Top 25 of 35 areas by establishments. Source: Census CBP 2023.
Team sizes at new car dealers in Michigan
9.3% of Michigan's new car dealers with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 14.1% nationally. 15.5% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 67 | 9.3% | 14.1% |
| 5–9 employees | 44 | 6.1% | 5.1% |
| 10–19 employees | 70 | 9.8% | 8.8% |
| 20–49 employees | 242 | 33.8% | 31.2% |
| 50 or more employees | 294 | 41.0% | 40.8% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Why the phone matters for new car dealers in Michigan
Dealerships route calls between sales, service and parts, and each department has different peak times. Fast follow-up on sales inquiries is critical. That holds for new car dealers in Michigan as much as anywhere.
Typical inbound and outbound calls for new car dealers in Michigan:
- Sales calls a shopper back after an online lead.
- A shopper calls about a vehicle in stock.
- A customer calls the parts department.
Business texting for new car dealers
Dealers text service updates and appointment reminders.
Texting from a local number in Michigan requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.
What a phone system costs a new car dealership in Michigan
New car dealers in Michigan average 51.8 employees, so the comparison uses a 52-person team. Per-seat business phone plans bill every one of those people. At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 52 users on RingCentral RingEX Core cost $1,560.00 a month and 52 on Ooma Office Pro cost $1,297.40. Callata comes to $1,039.00 a month for 52 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $6,252 less than RingCentral for a new car dealership in Michigan of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $1,039.00 | $12,468.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $988.00 | $11,856.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $1,196.00 | $14,352.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $1,297.40 | $15,568.80 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $1,404.00 | $16,848.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $1,560.00 | $18,720.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Area codes in Michigan
Michigan has 13 geographic area codes in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a new car dealership can hold a number in more than one of them.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 248 | 784 | Eastern | 1997 | 947 |
| 313 | 769 | Eastern | 1947 | 679 |
| 989 | 724 | Eastern | 2001 | none |
| 734 | 701 | Eastern | 1997 | 679 |
| 517 | 616 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
| 231 | 572 | Eastern | 1999 | none |
| 586 | 546 | Eastern | 2001 | none |
| 269 | 545 | Eastern | 2002 | none |
| 616 | 545 | Eastern | 1947 | none |
| 810 | 509 | Eastern | 1993 | none |
| 906 | 360 | Eastern and Central | 1961 | none |
| 947 | 211 | Eastern | 2002 | 248 |
| 679 | 0 | Eastern | 2025 | 313 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
How Callata works for new car dealers in Michigan
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Michigan is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Sales calls and texts to leads require appropriate consent under telemarketing rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many new car dealers are in Michigan?
717 in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns. They employed 37,129 people in mid-March.
Which Michigan metro area has the most new car dealers?
Detroit, MI, with 263 establishments in 2023.
What does a phone system cost a 52-person new car dealership?
$1,560.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core or $1,297.40 on Ooma Office Pro at month-to-month list prices (checked September 28, 2026); $1,039.00 on Callata ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user).
Do I need to register to text customers from a Michigan number?
Yes. US carriers require business texting from local numbers to be registered (10DLC). On Callata the registration is a one-time $49 fee, and texting turns on once it is approved.