Consumers who are making on-time payments have helped the recentgains in the auto lending sector, according to Equifax.

In its May 2011 National Credit Trend Report released July 5, the companyreported the total number of auto loan originations for the firstquarter 2011 increased by 20% over first quarter 2010 levels.

March's auto loan originations represented $1.8 million, thelargest monthly total since summer 2008 and eclipsed monthly totalsof $1.6 million driven by the Cash for Clunkers program in summer2009, according to Equifax.

That same month, the average auto loan amounts among allborrowers was $18,661 at banks, credit unions and savings and loaninstitutions compared to $18,463 in March 2010. New auto loanpayments among all borrowers in March were slightly lower thanMarch 2010's averages of $366 at banks, credit unions and S&Lsversus $377.

Equifax reported the average loan amount for prime borrowers isnow approximately equal to or slightly higher than pre-recessionlevels. Auto delinquencies and write-offs are also approachingpre-recession levels with both continuing to improve this year, thefirm noted.

“While some sectors of the economy–most notably housing–continueto struggle, the auto lending sector has displayed positive gains,”said Michael Koukounas, senior vice president at Equifax.