BREA, Calif.--American Suzuki Motor Corp. announced April 8 the launch of a private-label auto finance company, American Suzuki Financial Services.

ASFS will provide Suzuki dealers with a greater range of financing tools as well as manufacturer-supported rates. Dealers will be able to offer customers financing across the credit spectrum. ASFS also plans to expand the availability of leasing programs to dealers.

"We know that private auto manufacturer finance companies score the highest in dealer satisfaction, owner loyalty and repeat purchases," said Koichi Suzuki, president of ASMC Automotive Operations.

"American Suzuki Finance Services was formed for Suzuki's fast-growing dealer body to make it even easier for customers--even those with less-than-perfect credit scores--to get into a new Suzuki car or SUV," he added.

Last year, Suzuki partnered with Nuvell Financial Services Corp., a subsidiary of General Motors Acceptance Corp., as a step toward creating this captive finance arm and meeting its goal of tripling sales to 200,000 vehicles by 2007.

ASFS will have offices in Little Rock, Ark., and Anaheim, Calif., for credit, service and field personnel.