Shell Capital is to sell vehicle finance through franchised dealers and used car outlets, linked to a loyalty scheme called Pluspoints. It will be branded Shell Auto Finance.

The financial services arm of Royal Dutch/Shell Group says dealers with Shell-branded service stations will be included in the scheme to sell hire purchase and personal contract purchase packages.

Shell Auto Finance will reward customers by crediting Pluspoints to their account. These can be redeemed for Shell vouchers, Air Miles, shop vouchers or donations to charity.

Dealers will also offer three types of credit protection insurance and breakdown cover, provided in association with Green Flag. Shell says this is another first for an oil company.

At some dealerships, customers will be guided through finance decision-making via Shell Video, a video, voice and data link to the Shell Auto Finance call centre.

A Shell Capital spokesman said: "Customers will be able to see and speak to advisers at the same time as seeing their vehicle finance quotation on screen in front of them."