Carlyle Finance is launching its ‘Just Ask’ words and pictures initiative, involving 1,500 retailers.

The words come in the form of intensified dialogue and advice between the lender, dealers and consumers, of whom a minority are offered finance propositions.

The pictures cover POS showroom material, ranging from posters and advertising templates to internet website graphics.

Carlyle’s managing director Mark Standish says: "Hopefully this is part of a positive industry reaction after soul searching.

"We are no different in having a range of 20-70% in finance penetration terms among our dealers. This is about bringing the average up and helping them to achieve better results.”

Carlyle, says Standish, has no plans to push its corporate identity further to the front, preferring to let retailers’ brands remain dominant “within the partnership”.

He says: “Our obvious aim is to increase Carlyle’s business levels. If we help grow the market then that is a positive. There is no point in fighting over a crumbling cake that represents an ever decreasing market.”

In combating direct lenders and converting sceptical consumers, Carlyle’s retailers are being encouraged to promote POS on three fronts:

  • Rapid underwriting means most funding approvals come in under one hour
  • Acceptance levels are generally higher than those that personal loan firms manage
  • HP products offer heightened consumer protection