More business referrals from a growing roster of clients helpedvehicle buying CUSO Autoland Inc. drive $93.2 million in loans toits credit union partners in 2012.

The Chatsworth, Calif.-based firm said it posted ayear-over-year net profit increase of 174% last year. Autoland said it also raised its auto loan to vehicle saleretention rate to a combined 82%.

“2012 was an excellent year for Autoland – we exceeded our salesforecast, added significant credit union partnerships, expandedin-house office locations and retained more direct loans for ourpartners than ever before,” said Jeffry Martin, president of Autoland.

This year, auto loan portfolio growth will remain a priority forthe CUSO's credit union partners, particularly in the new vehiclefinance market, Martin offered.

Year-to-date, Autoland said it has already added three newcredit union relationships and with light-vehicle sales projectedto rise by one million units this year, the CUSO is positioned toservice an even greater number of members in 2013, he added.

“With sustained car buying demand, the competition for memberloans and aftermarket product sales will be fierce. Autoland'sexpertise in retaining this business will be essential to thesuccess of our partners reaching their 2013 loan goals,” Martinsaid.

Founded in 1971, Autoland is held by CU Vehicles LLC, acollaborative CUSO, and serves more than 200 credit union partners.Autoland said it has sold more than $1.8 billion worth of vehiclesto credit union members in the last decade.

At last check, the sale of the former Telesis Community Credit Union's stake in Autoland was still in the works.