DETROIT - GMAC Financial Services will be added to the DealerTrack credit application network of more than 17,000 dealers as a financing option for their customers.

GMAC will use the strategic relationship to broaden its customer base. The agreement will provide GMAC with access to retail financing applications from essentially all U.S. and Canadian dealers across all manufacturers. The company's existing dealer customers will benefit from the addition of another application channel. GMAC will also continue to accept applications through the RouteOne system.

"GMAC has taken a series of steps to support the auto industry during the past year, particularly in extending credit to the market," said Tim Russi, executive vice president for GMAC's North American Operations. "Our presence on DealerTrack will allow us to bring the nearly 90 years of experience we have in auto finance to a broad and diverse group of dealers seeking vehicle financing for their customers."

"Our strategy has always been to attract new financing sources, expand our subscribing dealer base and add value to our software applications," said DealerTrack Chairman and CEO Mark O'Neil. "This will help us achieve all three objectives."

Russi pointed to the development as further proof of GMAC's commitment to the industry. "This is a meaningful step in the ongoing growth of our company that will diversify our auto business while helping dealers and their customers obtain broader financing opportunities in a more competitive market," he said.

Dealers who do not currently have capability to submit retail applications to GMAC through DealerTrack will be invited to enroll. The invitation process will be staggered to reach the large volume of dealers who use DealerTrack, and is expected to be complete in a few months. GMAC will accept financing applications for both new- and used-vehicle sales.