Toyota Financial Services Provides Incentives to Help Dealers
Toyota Financial Services is lowering interest rates on all new- and used-car loans for retail customers with credit scores of 650 or greater, reported Automotive News. The reduced rates are in effect from now through the end of February. The incentive program offers:
An across-the-board rate cut of half a percentage point on finance contracts for new and certified used vehicles.
Lower finance rates on used vehicles of all makes. The used-car rates are now at the same level as the new-vehicle rates Toyota Financial Services offered in January before today's half-point reduction.
Toyota Financial Services also has told dealers it will expand their inventory credit lines if they want to stock up on used vehicles.
“We anticipate that Toyota dealers may place greater focus on used vehicles during February,” Mike Groff, Toyota Financial Services' group vice president of sales, marketing and product, told Automotive News.
Much of dealers' new-vehicle inventory awaits repair.
Toyota is grappling with a Jan. 21 recall, under which the world's largest carmaker called back the 2.3 million U.S. vehicles to address gas pedals that can return too slowly to their original position or even, with age, get stuck and cause unintended acceleration.
And on Wednesday, Jan. 28, Toyota said it would recall an additional 1.1 million autos in the United States to fix floor mats that may jam accelerator pedals and cause unintended acceleration. The action is an extension of last fall's recall, in which Toyota called back 4.3 million vehicles in its largest ever U.S. safety action.
More Industry

Autos More Appealing
Consumers gave new cars better scores again this year for design, performance and more as mass-market brands kept gaining on premium lineups, JD Power found in an annual poll.
Read More →
Used EVs Defy Overall Market
While the used-car market saw three months of price declines or stagnation, the used EV segment did the opposite – rising for three straight months.
Read More →
Gone to the Dogs
A Stellantis brand decided to have some fun with one of its SUVs’ design to address growing emphasis on family pets.
Read More →
OEM Poll Sees Industry Evolution
Kerrigan Advisors’ survey of automakers finds that tariffs, technology, network tightening and other factors are poised to reshape auto retail.
Read More →
Luxe N.C. Dealerships Change Hands
A collection of Italian and English brand franchises were handed off to the owner’s friend in the business and include the Carolinas’ only Ferrari retail stores.
Read More →
Exposure Drives Interest in Chinese Cars
At a recent demonstration, consumers had the chance to ride in a Chinese-branded vehicle, a firsthand experience that improved their perceptions and purchase intent.
Read More →
Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Agent Advocate
Rob Mancuso, who comes from a long line of auto dealers, values general agents’ place in the industry and makes a case for them taking an even bigger seat at the table.
Read More →
Driving Under Distraction
Though consumers gave higher marks to new vehicles in JD Power’s most recent initial-quality poll, high-tech interference worsened, pointing to craving for simplicity.
Read More →
Affordable New Cars a Thing of the Past
More than one out of five new vehicles sell for more than $60,000, according to Edmunds. That's up 7% compared to prepandemic 2019.
Read More →