ONTARIO, Calif. - CUDL, a lending solutions provider to the credit union industry and administrators of the nation’s largest auto lending network for credit unions, has rolled out its new CUDL AutoSMART Application for the Apple® iPhone®.

The iPhone app, designed specifically for credit union members, replicates features of the well-known CUDL AutoSMART website as a fully functional app for Apple’s popular iPhone, as well as for other Apple products, including the iPad™, and iPod Touch®.

Free to iPhone owners through the Apple App Store, the new app gives members and consumers the ability to perform selected steps of the vehicle buying process from their iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch, from initial vehicle shopping and research, to accessing their pre-approved credit union loan, and connecting with an auto dealership in their area. For their convenience, members can access the Apple App Store and download the AutoSMART app through links that are provided on credit unions’ individual AutoSMART websites.

The AutoSMART app connects credit union members looking to purchase and finance a vehicle with both their credit union and the more than 5,700 dealers posting live inventory to CUDL’s AutoSMART website. Members can use the new mobile tool to conveniently shop the more than 600,000 vehicles listed nationwide on the AutoSMART website. Credit unions benefit from their ability to stay connected to their members through the entire vehicle buying process, improving member loyalty and their ability to retain member financing in-house, and driving more member auto loans.

“Our AutoSMART iPhone application is our first step in changing the automobile purchasing process by giving the consumer control over their financing while sitting in the F&I office,” said Kip Haas, executive vice president of products and technology at CUDL.

Auto dealers will find increased value in posting their vehicle inventory on the CUDL AutoSMART website, as their inventory will now be easily accessible by members and consumers through the new AutoSMART app. Dealers will also benefit from the ability to connect with new customers, as iPhone owners can use the app to contact dealers for vehicle quotes. The app also has a dealer search feature that allows users to search for and locate dealers in their area by distance and by using a visual map overview.

The new app incorporates content from the CUDL AutoSMART website’s extensive library of research tools, including: an advanced vehicle search that allows for search by make, model and year; helpful car buying articles; affordability and payment calculators; researching vehicle trade-in values; and the ability to confirm credit union financing.

“Our goal was to provide a dynamic research tool that leveraged the AutoSMART site to further simplify members’ approach to vehicle shopping, while also helping our credit unions to stay connected with their members throughout the car buying process, and helping dealers to connect with customers,” stated Tony Boutelle, president and CEO of CUDL. “As a result, our credit unions have a greater opportunity to not only improve their members’ auto buying experience, but also to capture more member loans.”