EAST HADDAM, Conn. — Vets-Cars Group, a unique dealer association focused on promoting a bond of trust and commerce between select dealers and military consumers, announced a new partnership with Coastal Credit LLC, a new- and used-vehicle lender to military and civilian consumers.

“Our collaboration with Vets-Cars is unique and very exciting,” said Ben Hensley, a United States Air Force veteran and vice president of sales at Coastal. “It will enable us to provide our dealer customers a powerful level of value and commitment and position us to better serve those who serve.”

Vets-Cars membership, which will include training on properly serving the military auto buyer, will be offered to all qualifying members of Coastal Credit’s vast dealer base. Vets-Shield Command Care extended vehicle coverage, an exclusionary product administered by NAC, will be utilized as the preferred service contract on all auto loans made to enlisted military personnel.

The partnership is the concept of Ben Hensley, VP of Sales at Coastal, and Sergeant Major Dave Francisco, USMC (ret), Director of Vets-Cars.

 “The Vets-Shield VSC Program was designed by me, Chris Walsh (managing partner for Vets-Cars Group), and fellow Marine Corps Sergeants Major,” said retired Marine Sgt. Maj. Dave Francisco. “All of us had had experience with young Marines in our charge getting into trouble trying to buy a vehicle or getting talked into a service contract that was misrepresented and sold at an exorbitant price by some less-than-scrupulous dealer employee.

“With Vets-Shield, we are able to provide price-regulated, top quality exclusionary coverage that is administered by NAC.”