Less Than Perfect Credit Can Get You A New GM Vehicle
General Motors needs to expand their sales. And doing so may require them to become more aggressive when it comes to securing subprime loans for the...
General Motors needs to expand their sales. And doing so may require them to become more aggressive when it comes to securing subprime loans for their buyers. The subprime market is an excellent place for GM to go buyer hunting. After all, it is a huge segment of the U.S. auto market. “By not financing [subprime] consumers, they are locking out about 40% of the U.S. population,” said Melinda Zabritski, director of for Experian Automotive in an article by Wall Street Journal writer Sharon Terlep.
GM’s sales are up compared to the same period last year, but they are not doing as good as the competition. After all, Ford, their rival accross town, is already up over 30 percent. Many other manufacturers, including Honda and Toyota, are experiencing stronger gains as well. And when it comes to the subprime market, Ford, Toyota, and Honda all three beat GM.
This expansion won’t be an easy task for the automotive giant though. Ford, Honda, and Toyota all own their own finance companies. So, when they need to reach buyers with subprime credit, it is easy. If sales need some energy, they just call their lending divisions and ask them to approve people with less than perfect credit. GM, however, doesn’t have this luxury.
In 2006 GM sold 51 percent of GMAC to a group led by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management LP. This now privately run lender ran into their own struggles during the mortgage bust in 2008 and was bailed out by the Government. Now, the U.S. Federal Government owns 61 percent of GM and 56 percent of the former GMAC, which is now operating under the name Ally Financial, Inc.
When GM needs a shot in the arm for sales they can’t demand Ally to loosen the lending requirements because they don’t own the bank. And to complicate matter more, the U.S. Government required GM to name Ally as their primary lending source. GM finances nearly 40 percent of their total sales with Ally.
So the question becomes, will GM start another finance company? They did look into the idea a few months ago. However, research now shows that, for the near term, the company does not plan to open a lending arm or try to take back control of GMAC.
If that is the case, what do they plan to do? GM spokes woman Renee Rashid-Merem stated, “We are developing relationships with other financial sources on a selective basis for specialized financing needs, such as leasing and subprime financing,” in an article by Ken Thomas of the Associated Press. This could be really good news for you if your credit score is below 620, or subprime.
GM needs to sell more cars. Mark Reuss, GM’s North American president said last month they want to expand their subprime credit market. This is great news for the millions of people with credit struggles who would like to own a new car. So, if you are worried about your credit rating keeping you out of the driver’s seat, never fear, a new GM product may be just the right choice for you.
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