Ally Eases Credit Threshold for Chrysler Leases

DETROIT - Chrysler Group got a boost this week when Ally Bank, the former GMAC, lowered its credit-score threshold for Chrysler customers to qualify for a vehicle lease from 660 to 620, reported Automotive News.

The move by Ally, Chrysler's preferred finance provider, broadens the pool of lease customers. A 660 FICO score is on the lower end of prime, while a 620 score is on the upper end of subprime.

In a memo to dealers this week, Chrysler confirmed that Ally had revised its minimum score. Dealers confirmed the 620 figure.

A credit score helps determine what interest rate a bank will charge a customer for a loan. FICO scores range from 300 to 850.

Chrysler's leasing business collapsed in July 2008 when its former captive finance company, Chrysler Financial, left the leasing business when the resale value of its pickups and SUVs plunged amid soaring gasoline prices.

In 2006, when Chrysler Financial was still its captive finance company, leases accounted for about 22 percent of all Chrysler new-vehicle transactions. After Chrysler Financial left the leasing business, along with most of Chrysler's lenders, that percentage plummeted to under 1 percent by mid-2009, according to Ralph Kisiel, a Chrysler spokesman.

“Since then, as lenders have resumed leasing, our corporate average has gradually been increasing to where we're at today, 4 percent to 6 percent,” said Kisiel. “We are now taking a disciplined approach to leasing. We still want to remain competitive by offering a wide variety of financing options.”

Leasing will account for less than 22percent of sales, he said, and Chrysler is “comfortable” with leasing levels at their current level.

David Kelleher, owner of David Doge Chrysler Jeep in Glen Mills, Pa., and a member of Chrysler's National Dealer Council, said the shift would be a big help to dealers in extending lease offerings to more customers.

Ally declined to comment on the change in Chrysler credit scores.