GM Financial Completes Transition to Captive in Q1
FORT WORTH, Texas — In a scheduled call with investment analysts to announce General Motors Financial Co. Inc.’s first-quarter results, CFO Chris Choate said the process of converting the auto finance company formerly known as AmeriCredit Corp. into GM’s global captive finance company has reached its end.
“Our evolution as a full captive is substantially complete, and we are entering a full captive expansion phase,” Choate said. “… Looking forward, we’re looking to increase our share of prime loan in North America, continue to grow our floorplan strategically, expand our customer relationship management to enhance loyalty and retention.”
When GM acquired AmeriCredit in 2010, the auto finance market was in the early stages of a rebound after the Great Recession spurred an industrywide tightening of lending guidelines and access to credit, particularly for subprime and nearprime car buyers. Seven years later, the landscape has changed considerably, but Choate said GM Financial remains focused on prime retail and leasing contracts.
“In the used-vehicle financing space, we have allowed our market share in that space to erode dramatically,” he said. “If you go back over a two- or three-year time period, our presence in that used-vehicle financing space as the market got a little frothier and really became too narrowly priced. … We still have a presence but it’s way down from what it was.”
Choate said the company counted $6.5 billion in sales contracts at the end of the first quarter, compared to $4.1 billion in the year-ago period. Lease originations fell slightly, from $6.8 billion in the first quarter of 2016 to $6.3 billion in 2017.
Focusing on prime credit consumers allowed GM Financial to buck an industrywide trendtoward increased auto loan delinquencies. The share of loans 31 to 60 days delinquent declined from 3.1% in the year-ago quarter to 2.8%, while accounts more than 60 days delinquent fell from 1.4% to 1.2%. Annualized net charge-offs were flat at 1.9%.
All told, the captive’s announced net income for the quarter was $202 million, a marked improvement from the $164 million GM Financial earned in the first quarter of 2016.
“As GM has pointed out in their communications over the last year or more GM Financial is a very strategic business. We are very well-positioned for profitable growth and contribution to overall enterprise value,” Choate said. “And GM Financial’s overall objective is to support GM vehicle sales while achieving appropriate risk-adjusted returns.”
More Industry

CPO Sales Could Take Off in the Right Conditions
A recent Cox Automotive consumer survey reveals the size of an undertapped market for the vehicle segment given affordability pressures.
Read More →
Global Consumer Trends Diverge
Price remains a top consideration for U.S. car buyers, and they are the most brand-loyal consumers to established automakers, according to a new survey.
Read More →
Badger State Dealership Gets New Owner
The longtime southern Wisconsin store moved from one area auto group to another, keeping the business in Dairyland.
Read More →
The Cycle of Negative Equity
Third-quarter data shows consumers still rolling over debt and stretching loan terms, raising their risk of remaining underwater.
Read More →
Charger Network Growth Slows
Despite a projected increase in public EV chargers in 2026, charging infrastructure remains a top concern for consumers as the gap between the most and least EV-friendly places remains substantial.
Read More →
Lenders, Consumers Take on More Auto Loan Risk
September records loosened credit access the most in over a decade as buyers took advantage of the conditions to afford trading, though loan applications fell.
Read More →
Next-Gen Hybrids in Sight
Dealerships can expect to see revamped hybrids from Honda next year as the company rolls out a new system and model lineup.
Read More →
Gem State Stores Change Hands
A larger auto group founded in the industry’s early years sold two franchises to a neighbor group that's on a growth spurt.
Read More →
Charging In Motion
Honda has been researching wireless in-motion charging for electric vehicles since 2025, and new technology developments have put it a step closer to a final product.
Read More →
Twin Cities Stores Sell
Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.
Read More →