MENU
SEARCHThe automaker's chief executive told investors today that the company will establish its own captive finance company by 2022. One option being considered is the purchase of Chrysler Capital from Santander Consumer USA, which is five years into the 10-year preferred financing agreement it signed with FCA in 2013.
BALOCCO, Italy — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will establish its own captive finance company by 2022, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said Friday, June 1, during an investor meeting in which he presented the automaker's five-year plan.
One option being considered is purchasing Chrysler Capital from Santander Consumer USA Inc. The automaker also is considering establishing its own captive finance company from scratch.
Purchasing Chrysler Capital would require that FCA exercise a special clause contained in an equity option agreement included in the automaker’s 2013 private label financing agreement with Santander to operate Chrysler Capital as a separate division.
When the original 10-year deal was forged, Santander paid $150 million to operate as a “hybrid captive” for FCA.
FCA and Santander Consumer have been in exploratory talks regarding the potential sale of Chrysler Capital, according to a statement released by the Dallas-based bank. Santander Consumer "is committed to pursuing an outcome for Chrysler Capital that is in the best interests of the company, its shareholders, and other key stakeholders," the statement reads. "There are a number of possibilities for the next phase of our relationship with FCA."
Talks are currently focused on determining the value of Chrysler Capital, Santander Consumer executives told investors and media representatives today during a conference call.
FCA sold 2.1 million new vehicles in the U.S. in 2017. In the first quarter, Santander Consumer reported a 28% penetration rate for Chrysler Capital loans, which was up from 23% in the prior-year period but well short of the 65% target the two companies set for April in the original preferred financing agreement.
Ally Financial also serves as a preferred finance source for FCA. In the first quarter, Ally originated $9.5 billion in auto loans, 26% of which involved Chrysler retail sales.
In October, Santander Consumer named Rich Morrin president of Chrysler Capital and auto relationships to build loan product offerings for dealers and strengthen relationships with them.
Deal volume ebbed and flowed throughout 2025, but product performance remained steady, according to automotive technology and data intelligence solutions provider StoneEagle.
Read More →
A new top 10 list ranks the least expensive for average full insurance coverage on a clean driving record and high driver credit scores.
Read More →
Try following these 20 steps to greater success in the dealer F&I office this year.
Read More →
A TransUnion study found that relationship-driven sales models proved to be important, as consumers who used an agent had a lower shopping intensity than those going it alone.
Read More →
2025 brought consumers relief after years of rate hikes, but 2026 could bring renewed policy pain, depending on how U.S. trade policy affects prices.
Read More →
In this video, Reese Dailey of the Automotive Training Academy by Assurant reveals strategies to make cash deals profitable without relying on monthly payment bumps.
Read More →
Suite of new APIs, product enhancements and integrations is designed to help maximize contracting and funding efficiency for lenders and their dealer partners.
Read More →
December brought some of the best borrowing availability for consumers in years, though lenders tightened their reins on riskier segments of the market.
Read More →
In this video, Reese Dailey of the Automotive Training Academy by Assurant explains how to handle a customer who isn’t willing to listen to your pitch.
Read More →
Third-quarter battery electric vehicle insurance claims were up 4% year-over-year. A new report says EV claims cost the most due to complex technology and limited after-market parts supply.
Read More →
