ONTARIO, Calif. — CUDL, the administrator of the nation’s largest auto lending network for credit unions, announced the roll-out of its new CUDL AutoSMART application for the Apple iPhone.

The new 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 iPhone, 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 initial vehicle shopping and research, to accessing their pre-approved credit union loan, and connecting with an auto dealership in their area.

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 shop the more than 600,000 vehicles listed nationwide on the AutoSMART website.

“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.

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.”

To download the CUDL AutoSMART application, click here.