DETROIT ― GMAC Financial Services today announced that it will provide consumer financing for recreation vehicles and has been selected by Thor Industries as the preferred financial provider for its retail customers.

GMAC will begin by extending retail financing through Thor dealers in 14 high-volume states, and eventually expand nationwide to all 1,200 dealers that comprise the recreational vehicle maker’s U.S. network. The company expects to accept retail financing applications from dealers for both new and used RVs, beginning in May 2010.

"The RV financing market is a natural extension of our auto business," said GMAC President Bill Muir.  "We have the infrastructure and servicing capabilities to add the RV business to our portfolio.  Further, many of GMAC's current and prospective auto customers are interested in using their vehicles to pull towables, so the new relationship with Thor brands makes a lot of sense for both our business and customer base."

GMAC intends to hire current employees who manage Thor Credit services, including industry veteran Ed Arienti. 

"We are pleased to select GMAC as the preferred financing provider for Thor Industries, particularly as we seek to satisfy increased demand for our recreation vehicles with a positive sales and financing experience," said Peter Orthwein, Chairman and CEO of Thor, which manufacturers recreational vehicle brands such as Damon, Four Winds and Airstream. "Thor dealers and their customers will benefit from having GMAC as a retail financing option." 

The U.S. RV market has been growing since mid-2009 and is expected to reach more than 215,000 units in 2010. Thor Industries currently holds 27 percent of U.S. RV market share.

In addition to providing consumer retail financing, GMAC will offer remarketing services to RV dealers for used or traded-in recreation vehicles through its SmartAuction online site.