HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. -

The ongoing momentum credit unions are generating in the auto finance space surfaced again through a first-quarter development from GrooveCar, which now can reach another 450,000 members who might be purchasing a vehicle.

The company announced 18 new credit union partners have joined the GrooveCar Direct online vehicle buying program in Q1. The program promotes engagement with members during the journey for a new or pre-owned vehicle while harnessing the auto buying power within the credit union’s community.

“With consumer confidence running high and strong economic growth predicted for 2018, these market indicators should bode well for credit union auto loan growth,” said Robert O’Hara, vice president of strategic alliances at GrooveCar.

Joining the program in Q1 were:

—Advantage One Federal Credit Union in Brownstown, Mich., with assets of $140 million, serving 15,554 members
—CME Federal Credit Union in Columbus, Ohio, with assets of $270 million, serving 33,545 members
—Community Financial Credit Union in Springfield, Mo., with assets of $65 million, serving 7,242 members
—Essex County Teachers Federal Credit Union in Bloomfield, N.J., with assets of $12 million, serving 2,650 members
—Frick Tri-County Federal Credit Union in Uniontown, Pa., with assets of $82.6 million, serving 9,005 members
—Guardian Credit Union in Montgomery, Ala., with assets of $450 million, serving 58,121 members
—Lakeshore Federal Credit Union in Muskegon, Mich., with assets of $29 million, serving 2,794 members
—Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union in Jersey City, N.J., with assets of $90 million, serving 22,033 members
—Ohio’s First Class Credit Union in Cleveland with assets of $43 million, serving 10,000 members
—Regional Federal Credit Union in Hammond, Ind., with assets of $130 million, serving 21,801 members
—Royal Credit Union in Eau Claire, Wisc., with assets of $2.2 billion, serving 194,398 members
—Shelby County Federal Credit Union in Memphis, Tenn., with assets of $62 million, serving 10,524 members
—Spirit Financial Credit Union in Morrisville, Pa., with assets of $48.7 million, serving 3,811 members
—Spokane Federal Credit Union in Spokane, Wash., with assets of $155 million, serving 11,408 members
—Syracuse Fire Department Employees Federal Credit Union in Syracuse, N.Y., with assets of $88 million, serving 5,988 members
—Texar Federal Credit Union in Texarkana, Texas, with assets of $341 million, serving 31,712 members
—Texas Health Resources Credit Union in Dallas with assets of $19 million serving 3,684 members
—UPS Employees Credit Union in Memphis, Tenn., with assets of $23 million serving 4,384 members

O’Hara pointed out that recent studies have found the average buyer of new and pre-owned vehicles are spending more of their time using the internet. Furthermore, some consumers prefer to complete their credit and financial paperwork online, something that can connect members to the GrooveCar Direct program.

“All the best practices are loaded onto the platform making the process a seamless experience for the member,” O’Hara said.

During the launch of the GrooveCar Direct platform, an assigned representative supplies technical support, marketing collateral and on-going consulting to ensure success. To schedule a demonstration, visit www.groovecarinc.com.