Autoblog

Subprime financing on the rise in new car sales, leasing too

George Kennedy — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:44:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chevrolet, Ford, Mitsubishi, Toyota, Volvo, Earnings/Financials

We all remember the financial crisis that began several years back. At its core was a splurge of subprime lending for housing loans. The housing bubble burst, triggering a collapse of the mortgage-backed securities market. Apparently, those types of loans still exist in the automotive industry, and the market share for these types of "nonprime, subprime, and deep subprime," loans has grown 13.6 percent compared to the third quarter a year ago.

According to an Automotive News report, high-risk lending expanded to 24.8 percent of total loans in Q3, up from 21.9 percent for this time last year. As this level increased, average credit scores of borrowers dropped to 755, down from 763 a year ago. In that time, the average financing amount increased $90 per vehicle, to $25,963.

At 818, Volvo maintains the highest per-owner credit score, while Mitsubishi has the lowest, at 694. The highest rate of borrowers was at Toyota, with 14 percent of the market, followed by Ford with 13.1 percent and Chevrolet at 11.1.

Part of the growth in lending is the willingness to offer longer-term loans. Dealerships are starting to offer 60, 72 and 84 month borrowing periods. Carmakers are reluctant to do so, as it takes the customer off the market too long, yet the seven-year loan period is the fastest-growing category in automotive borrowing.

It all points to an industry that is eager to maintain the wave of recovery even at the risk of potentially aggressive lending practices.

Subprime financing on the rise in new car sales, leasing too originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Dec 2012 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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General Motors buys Ally Financial foreign operations

Dan Roth — Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, GM, Earnings/Financials

In a move that welcomes former pieces of General Motors back into the fold, GM Financial has reached a deal with Ally Financial, formerly GMAC, to buy a piece of the company's international operations. The $4.2 billion deal is for Ally's Latin America, Europe and China operations.

"GM is entering the most aggressive rollout of new vehicles in its history, and this acquisition will make us an even more formidable competitor by ensuring that competitive financing is available to our customers and dealers around the world," says General Motors CFO Dan Ammann. The ability to finance from a captive unit will let General Motors extend better loan terms to potential customers, which the automaker sees as key to closing a sales gap that's between 10 and 15 percent versus automakers who already have their own financing divisions.

GM will be handing over more than $2 billion in cash to GM Financial, and the unit will more than double its liabilities from $12 billion to $27 billion while also doubling its assets to about $33 billion. GM Financial expects to bolster its yearly pre-tax earnings by $300-$400 million. It will take at least six months to wrap this deal up, provided it gets approvals from various oversight agencies. For more information on the deal, check out the official press release below.

Continue reading General Motors buys Ally Financial foreign operations

General Motors buys Ally Financial foreign operations originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Nov 2012 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Auto loan delinquency rates at historic lows

George Kennedy — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:46:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Earnings/Financials

One indicator of the status of our economy is the rate at which car owners are able to make payments, or rather, aren't. The rate at which owners can't get the check in the mail for their new car is called the delinquency rate, and according to a Los Angeles Times report, it has fallen to an all-time low.

Credit report entity TransUnion began tracking this data in 1999, which it calculates as the percentage of borrowers 60 or more days past due. Currently that rate was recorded at 0.33% for the second quarter of 2012 - down from 0.36% in the first quarter and a full 25% lower than last year.

Auto sales in the U.S. have risen 14% in the first seven months of 2012 to 8.4 million vehicles. Experts suggest this is a result of more relaxed credit conditions, allowing buyers with poorer credit to find a way to purchase a new car. This trend could eventually result in the delinquency rate climbing back up.

"We are at such a low delinquency level" said Peter Tureck, automotive vice president for TransUnion's financial services business wing, "that a slight rise through the end of the year should be expected, though the overall rate will remain relatively low."

Which states have the highest delinquency rates in the country right now? That would be Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all of which are within the 0.55% to 0.60% area.

Auto loan delinquency rates at historic lows originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Aug 2012 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Who pays the highest auto loan interest rates in the country?

Zach Bowman — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Earnings/Financials

It's that time of the year again, kids. Manufacturers are busy trying to put people in cars in order to move leftover stock and make room for incoming models, and many are doing so with ridiculously low financing rates. But who's the fairest of them all? As it turns out, that depends entirely on where you live. The crew over at Kicking Tires has compiled average loan interest rates from across the country and organized the data into the incredibly handy map you see above.

As it turns out, car buyers in places like Los Angeles and Las Vegas are getting the short end of the financial stick when it comes to their loans, with buyers dealing with 9.55 percent and 9.58 percent APR, respectively. Meanwhile, those in places like Oklahoma City are shouldering a much more reasonable 3.65 percent APR.

The Kicking Tires study is based on a $22,000 loan for 60 months, with 10 percent down. It also assumes a borrower with a credit score of 700 or better.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Who pays the highest auto loan interest rates in the country? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler Financial to begin lending once again for Chrysler vehicles?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Earnings/Financials

Chrysler Financial hasn't been doing a whole lot since the domestic automotive implosion of aught-nine. When the Obama Administration's Automotive Task Force found that the lender didn't have the wherewithal to continue making large loans to dealers, GMAC was forced to take over lending duties for Chrysler. Part of that decision was due to the fact that last year, used car values were at one of their lowest points in decades. Since the majority of Chrysler Financial collateral involves used cars and trucks, that was a bit of an issue at the time.

But that was then and this is now. Used vehicle values have rebounded in a big way, and as such, word has it that Chrysler Financial is once again looking into making large-scale loans to dealerships across the country. Word has it that Tom Gilman, Chrysler Fianancial's chief executive officer, has been contacting numerous dealerships in order to get a feel for whether or not there's enough interest for the institution to return to lending, according to Automotive News. Even so, with most dealers now cozy with GMAC, it may be difficult for Chrysler Financial to reestablish itself as the titan it once was.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd.]

Chrysler Financial to begin lending once again for Chrysler vehicles? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jul 2010 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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STUDY: Average car costs 22.1 weeks of median family income, average price at $26,300

Chris Shunk — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying

A study by Comerica Bank shows that the average purchase price of a new vehicle went up $300 in the second quarter versus the Q1, bringing the average transaction price to $26,300. The upward swing in prices came at a time when the average household income remained stagnant. The average family needs 22.1 weeks of median family income to pay for their new vehicle purchase, up .3 weeks from Q1. According to the study, higher transaction prices were slightly offset by lower financing rates, down to a very low average of 3.45%; the lowest rate in five years.

Comerica says that the reason the average purchase price rose in Q2 is that customers were buying more expensive cars. That's a bit odd in such a down economy, although lower overall sales could mean that customers who would normally purchase lower priced vehicles stayed out of dealerships altogether. The lower interest rates and higher transaction rates tells us that automakers are likely offering more 0% financing offers, which typically replaces heavy rebates in return for a lower monthly payment. Comerica Chief Economist Dana Johnson feels the average vehicle transaction price will ultimately come back down in Q3, due in part to the success of Cash for Clunkers. Hit the jump to read over the official press release.

[Source: Comerica Bank | Image: Karen Bleier/AFP/Getty]

Continue reading STUDY: Average car costs 22.1 weeks of median family income, average price at $26,300

STUDY: Average car costs 22.1 weeks of median family income, average price at $26,300 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Aug 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New car customers stuck with old loans when dealers don't pay off the trade-in

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Carsumer Advocacy

Many consumers who buy a new car still owe money on the car they're trading in. The situation is usually handled by the dealer agreeing to pay off the old loan, the cost of which might be folded into the new car price. No problem a year ago, but it's a bigger issue now. With 5,000 dealers closing their doors last year, some of those old loans aren't getting paid off. Consumers who bought new cars are finding out they're still on the hook for the old car loans, and in some cases, if another consumer has already bought the trade-in from the dealer, the bank will repossess it.

Complaints about such practices are rising, but there isn't much a buyer can do: if the dealer has gone bankrupt, mere scraps are rewarded to most folks in the scrum of creditors. Most states have insurance bonds against these kinds of losses, but they might pay as little as $5,000, which is barely enough to cover one default.

Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia have restitution funds. California -- exceptionally victimized by the practice because of the number of cars sold in the state -- is creating one that will be fed by a $1 fee on every car sold, but it isn't operational yet. In the meantime, used car buyers should ask to see the car's title to ensure it's clear. And for all buyers, in good times and especially in bad, caveat emptor.

[Source: MSNBC]

New car customers stuck with old loans when dealers don't pay off the trade-in originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automakers still hungry, may get bailout for bad car loans

Chris Shunk — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Etc., Government/Legal

Last week Congress signed a bill that frees up $25 billion in low interest loans for all automakers (including non-domestics if they plan to spend the money on green tech) and suppliers that spend money in the U.S. to develop green technologies. That was a big deal for Detroit automakers struggling to stay afloat during an abominable automotive downturn.

According to the Wall St. Journal, the $700 billion economic "rescue plan" fighting its way through Congress at the moment also includes money to bail automakers out of bad car loans, which in turn would supposedly go a long way toward freeing up money in the woeful car loan market. We're assuming this car loan bailout issue isn't just for Detroit automakers, as several overseas automakers offer financing here in the States, and plenty of banks are knee deep in car loans, as well. After looking at the positively radioactive sales for September, it's clear that the economic crisis is also affecting car sales. Not only are people finding it harder to get car loans even if they have good credit, but many would-be shoppers are staying away from big ticket purchases altogether until this fiscal mess gets fixed.

[Source: Blogging Stocks]

Automakers still hungry, may get bailout for bad car loans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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