Led by several key drivers, second-quarter profits for autobuying service CUSO Autoland Inc. were 76% ahead of forecastedearnings.

That Chatsworth, Calif.-based CUSO said an increase in directleads from credit union partners and improved sales were behind theprofit growth through June.

Sales productivity for Autoland was also up 8.5% while direct loan volume to creditunion partners increased 9.4% year-over-year, according to theCUSO.

With the recent announcement that the $2.4 billion Mission Federal Credit Union in San Diego had acquired majority ownership of Autoland, plans are proceeding to expandthe company's service footprint, the CUSO said.

Seven new partnerships have been added year-to-date andadditional pending partnerships will be finalized now that theownership transition is complete.

“In the short term, we'll be increasing our service toadditional credit unions in California, Oregon and Washington,”said Jeffry Martin, president of Autoland. “We are activelypursuing partnerships in neighboring states and we would like toestablish operations in Arizona, within the next year.”

Autoland said it now serves more than 200 credit unions.