Used Car Leasing allows customers to pay for the periodic use of a car with the option to purchase it or return it at any time, for any reason, without penalty. Lease’T’Own® is the registered trademark name used to describe our Used Car Leasing Program.
The Lease’T’Own® business model was founded in 1990 by Allen Lentsch, CEO for the Northland Auto Solutions. Based on his years of experience in the automotive industry and on feedback from dealers like you, Mr. Lentsch developed the concept of Lease’T’Own® as a way for dealers to overcome many of the issues they were facing in their everyday business, including repossessions, delinquent payers, tax burdens, and customer bankruptcy.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Turn-Key Program – Just add the cars!
- Provides more profit than BHPH, Retail, or Wholesale
- Less risk than BHPH
- Steady stream of monthly income
- Leverage over delinquent customers – Dealer is
titled owner of the vehicle
- Added protection from your customer’s bankruptcies
- Elimination of costly and time-consuming repossessions
- Tax Advantage #1 – Pay income taxes on revenue as it’s earned
- Tax Advantage #2 – Claim allowable depreciation on the leased vehicle
Why Lease’T’Own®? Know the Facts!
One thing to keep in mind as you begin looking at Used Car Leasing programs, is that not all programs are alike. Even though the concepts are similar, the programs and protections for the dealers can be very different.
Here are a few areas you should investigate with any Used Car Leasing program:
Reg. M Compliant Lease Contract
The Lease Agreement must be Reg. M compliant. A “one lease fits all” approach should send up a Red Flag! Northland has done extensive research on leasing laws and has worked in conjunction with reputable law firms throughout the United States to ensure that our contract is compliant.
Vehicle Title Belongs To The Dealer Until Purchase
The Used Car Leasing business model should operate as having the Dealership remain titled owner of the vehicle until the customer acts on the purchase option. In some states, it’s appropriate to list the customer as the lessee on the registration during the term of the lease. Being the titled owner of the vehicle provides the dealership with leverage and is your best defense against bankruptcies, repossessions, and delinquent payers.
The Program Offers Excess Contingent Liability Insurance
Some dealers think that the customer’s insurance is the only thing necessary for a leased vehicle. This couldn’t be further from the truth! Primary insurance is intended to provide physical damage coverage for the vehicle and liability protection from the driver. It DOES NOT cover a legal award for damages brought against the dealer as owner of the vehicle.
If your customer causes a fatal accident, you can be liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in lawsuit-related expenses. In order to protect you, the dealer, Northland offers $1 Million dollars of Contingent Liability Insurance coverage at affordable premiums. This coverage is intended to protect you from the fallout of a lawsuit.
Northland’s Contingent Liability Insurance is NOT a replacement for your Garage Keepers Liability coverage. You need to keep your regular Garage Keepers coverage.
The Program Provides Customer Insurance Tracking
With the Gold Program, Northland assists the dealers with tracking their customer’s insurance status at no additional charge. Certain endorsements are added to the customer’s policy to ensure Northland is notified of any change of status on your customer’s policy. Should a policy be cancelled, Northland will notify you to allow for further action to be taken.
Northland also provides the dealer with a once-a-month snapshot of their Fleet. This snapshot allows the dealer to easily identify any vehicle that puts them at risk due to improper insurance so they can take action.
In addition, dealers have access to professional Northland Customer Service Representatives who are empowered and motivated to assist the dealers in resolving insurance related issues.
The Program Offers Comprehensive Dealer Training Program
Northland personally trains each dealer and appropriate staff members to ensure they understand the program and understand how to correctly fill out the lease agreement and other documents. Refresher training is available at no cost which comes in handy as new employees come on board.
Online Video Training is also available anytime for viewing in the Lease’T’Own Resource Center.
The Program Provides Specialized Support
Northland’s employees have a wealth of experience in many areas such as the auto industry, working with state agencies, state statutes including taxes, insurance, GPS, marketing, and more!
- If you have a state agency claiming that you aren’t compliant, Northland’s expert will step in and assist on your behalf.
- If you have an insurance claim that’s being denied, Northland’s expert will step in and assist on your behalf.
- If you are notified that your vehicle has been included in a customer’s bankruptcy, Northland’s expert will step in and assist on your behalf.
- If you need help in any area of our Used Car Leasing model, we will do our best to provide it!
Our goal is to help you succeed!
Bottom line, don’t re-invent the wheel and never settle for an inferior program! Northland Auto Solutions developed the original used car leasing program almost 30 years ago. We have the experience and the proven success of knowing what ingredients are necessary to have in a Used Car Leasing program.
Adopting The Lease’T’Own® Model Makes You A Hero
Lease’T’Own® is a benefit for you because it makes decisions easy for your customers, and when you make decisions easy for customers, you’ll be looked to as a “HERO” in your community.
The Lease’T’Own® removes financial stressors from your customers, because they know they can return your vehicle at any time, for no penalties! What does this do for you, the dealer? It means your customers will communicate with you, will take better care of your vehicle, will pay you, and will return the car appropriately in case of a financial bind. They have nothing to worry about, so neither will you!
The flexibility of the Lease’T’Own® business model means customer satisfaction, and customer satisfaction means winning trust, loyalty, and word-of-mouth referrals. Your business will skyrocket when you adopt the Lease’T’Own® for your dealership today!
See our consumer website for more benefits offered to your customers!
For over 30 years, the Lease’T’Own® business model has been used by dealers in 46 states (not available in WI, NY, IL, and IA)
Northland Developed the unique Lease’T’Own® Closed-End Retail Motor Vehicle Lease Agreement through extensive legal research.
You stay the owner of the vehicle! It’s your best defense against delinquent payers, repossessions, and bankruptcies.
Higher profits than wholesale, retail, and even BHPH! “Roll” vehicles to increase your profits even more!
Pay income tax on revenue as it’s earned. Depreciation can be used to reduce taxes on your Lease’T’Own® vehicles.
Provide your customers transportation for life! Lease’T’Own® cars can only be traded back to you!
Do You Want To Become a Lease’T’Own Dealer?
Please Click The Button Below To Enroll.
“I’ve been a customer of Northland for 12 years. I’d heard good things about them. A buddy of mine on the west bank had been doing business with them in the rental and lease to own business and there aren’t many companies who are so deep and specialized in those lines. They completely blew away all the other companies doing this. They don’t have contracts, but I’ve been with them ever since. “
CC Owner A&C Automotive
“I’d say everyone I’ve come in contact with from Northland Auto Solutions are very friendly and helpful. And they’re really good guys. For complicated questions I don’t expect an immediate answer, like if you have a legal question, someone will get back to you within 24 hours. They are extremely knowledgeable about state laws. And more than able to give solid business advice.”
KL owner AutoDivide
“Northland Auto, I think overall they are fun to do business with. You can make a call, laugh and joke with someone. It’s very human interaction it’s not just you being a number. You can partner up with them very well.”
CC Owner A&C Automotive
“Extremely satisfied with all the offerings at Northland Auto Solutions, extremely. I’m a small size dealer I’ve got maybe 18 units out there on the plan, I usually have an inventory of about 20. I’m just a small guy. I’m very pleased with what they offer.”
CC Owner A&C Automotive
“I initially started our LTO program as a way to supplement our income. My intention was to create between $800-$1,000 of additional income monthly. Within six months we were doing well over $5,000 per month in payments. We’ve since, more than quadrupled those numbers.”