CU Direct Corp. is expanding its reach into Canada with thelaunch of Auto Premier, a suite of products and technology toprovide automotive Web strategies and services.

The Ontario, Calif.-based company said it has partnered withDesjardins Group, Canada's largest cooperative, in developing thecredit union's new member auto research and buying website,eSpaceAuto.com. CUDL has launched Auto Premier in Montreal, Quebec.

Desjardins Group's new website, which incorporates thetechnology and e-tools used in CUDL's lending services solution,the CUDL AutoSMART website program, will help connect its membersto its more than 2,200 auto dealer and merchant partners throughoutQuebec to shop for and buy their next vehicle, according to CUDirect.

The new site and program will also provide Desjardins Group witha resource designed to enhance both member brand awareness andoverall member satisfaction, and help drive member financing at thedealership, CU Direct said.

“(The) partnership between Desjardins and Auto Premier willallow automobile and durable goods dealers in Quebec and Ontario tomarket their inventory at large and benefit from Desjardins' fivemillion-member network,” said André Chatelain, vice-president andgeneral manager of Desjardins Card Services.

Chatelain added “What's more, the portal will allow consumers tolocate the right vehicle for them and benefit from a complete,competitive financing solution to meet their needs, all in oneplace. We support them while they are weighing their options andsimplify their purchase experience by making it enjoyable andstress-free.”

Introduced in 2005, CUDL's AutoSMART program and vehicleshopping website has grown to include over 1,000 credit unions,their 34 million members and over 7,000 participating AutoSMARTdealers across the U.S, according to CU Direct. In 2012, thewebsite reached the more than 1 million vehicle milestone in dealerinventory, the company said.

“We are very excited to be bringing our web strategies andautomotive solutions to the Canadian marketplace, and specificallyto Desjardins Group,” said Jerry Neemann, president of Auto Premierand executive vice president of CUDL Automotive in the UnitedStates.

Desjardins Group, based in Levis, Quebec, said it now serves 5.2million members throughout Canada, and has $200 billion inassets.