Volkswagen Financial Services (VWFS) has launched a direct to consumer car leasing platform, VWFS Drive, to help speed up the new car finance process. 

VWFS Drive provides access to a range of competitvely priced stock vehicles online across Volkswagen Group brands, including Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, says VWFS. 

All the cars are leased from available stock to help speed up the car finance process, VWFS added.

AM has asked VW Group UK for details of how its franchised networks are involved in the initiative and whether they will earn fees from handling the delivery for VWFS.

Hanna Rieger, product owner of eCommerce at VWFS, said: “Drive is an exciting addition to the range of options we provide to connect buyers with the cars of their dreams. It makes use of the speed and access provided by online platforms so that consumers can make their car choices at a time and place that is convenient to them.

"All the available vehicles come directly from trusted brands within the Volkswagen Group, are competitively priced and, best of all, can be in the hands of a new owner within 30 days."

Buyers can choose their new car or van online and obtain a personalised quote. The order is then placed and the owner can select a local franchised Volkswagen Group retailer to collect their new vehicle.

Reiger said: "Drive is another example of that support in action enabling consumers to quickly find the vehicle they want, arrange finance without any delay and collect the new car from a retailer of their choice within a month of starting the process. Essentially find it and drive it!”

The company said, the website includes an online and credit application for Audi, which means Contract Hire customers can now apply for Finance and Credit from any device, before being introduced to a retailer for contract signing and fullment of their vehicle.

This featuire will be rolled out to remaining brands on VWFS Drive in the coming weeks and months.