Michigan First Credit Union Launches Full-Service Car Purchasing Website

LATHRUP VILLAGE, Mich., March 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan First Credit Union (http://www.MichiganFirst.com) today announced the launch of its "Member Showroom," a full service website (http://www.MichiganFirstCars.com) that offers consumers a convenient and informative resource for their entire car purchasing process. Michigan First's Member Showroom is available to the general public and provides a full suite of services including the ability to research thousands of new and used cars, schedule test drives, receive competitive upfront price quotes on vehicles and secure financing at competitive rates.

This new customized online research and purchase tool is powered by Zag (http://www.zag.com), a TrueCar, Inc. Company and the leading provider of private-label online and mobile car buying programs. Michigan First is the first credit union to partner with Zag in the launch of a co-branded Member Showroom website.

"The Michigan First Member Showroom provides shoppers with a convenient alternative to the conventional car-buying process. Consumers can research, finance and purchase a car without making multiple trips to dealerships and financial institutions," said Linda Douglas, vice president of marketing for Michigan First Credit Union. "At Michigan First, we are dedicated to providing the latest technology and service offerings, and the Member Showroom's ease of use makes this a unique and valuable resource for car buyers in southeastern Michigan."

Aiming to provide a quality, hassle-free, cost-competitive car shopping experience, the Michigan First Member Showroom offers shoppers a broad selection of new and used cars, a low price guarantee, competitive loan rates and flexible terms. With competitive, upfront pricing, car buyers using the Zag platform have saved on average $4,302* off the MSRP on new vehicles. The low price guarantee ensures that if the purchaser finds the same vehicle with identical features and options at a lower price within three days of purchasing from the auto buying service, Zag will refund the difference. Michigan First is offering a one percent loan rate discount for those who have qualified for a loan and purchase a vehicle through the Member Showroom by May 9. Michigan First will also offer insurance purchasing services through the Member Showroom in the near future.

"Car shoppers will find that Michigan First's Member Showroom is simple and easy to use, making the process of purchasing a new vehicle worry-free, transparent and convenient," said  Stewart Easterby, GM of Zag. "Michigan First Member Showroom users can expect the highest caliber customer service and expertise based on Zag's more than five years experience providing quality online and mobile car buying programs to leading membership-based organizations nationwide."

Member Showroom is the latest in a series of new technology and service offerings from Michigan First Credit Union including the recent launch of mobile banking with Michigan First Mobile. For more information on Michigan First's Member Showroom, visit http://www.MichiganFirstCars.com.

* Based on actual customer transactions, including incentives as of Q4 2010.

About TrueCar, Inc.

TrueCar, Inc., a leading market innovator, stands alone as an automotive solutions provider focused on changing how cars are sold by providing a significantly better customer experience, while helping qualified dealer partners to gain incremental market share and reduce costs. TrueCar, Inc. works with a national network of nearly 4,700 Certified Dealers that provide up-front, no-haggle, competitive pricing to assist some of the nation's largest and most well respected membership and service organizations meet the auto buying needs of their members and customers. These partnerships include American Express, AAA Clubs, USAA and more than 60 others. Collectively these audiences represent over 1,000,000 in-market customers each month. Founded in 2005, TrueCar, Inc. is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA and has offices in San Francisco. With nearly 200% year–over-year growth, TrueCar has driven more than 200,000 sales and is developing a suite of transaction-oriented products and services centered on transparency and radical clarity as a result of comprehensively analyzing market data and information. You can follow TrueCar on Twitter @truecar and become a fan of TrueCar on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/truecar. 

About Michigan First Credit Union

Based in Lathrup Village, Mich., Michigan First Credit Union is one of the leading technology-focused credit unions in metro Detroit. The rapidly growing, full-service financial institution serves more than 86,000 members and has more than $570 million in assets. Founded in 1926 as the Detroit Teachers Credit Union, Michigan First has since expanded to serve those who live, work or worship in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, as well as local businesses. Michigan First is committed to continuously investing in its members, the community, youth and financial literacy initiatives and providing members with the latest in banking technology and services. For more information, visit http://www.MichiganFirst.com.

To stay updated on news, events and more, follow Michigan First on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/MichiganFirstCU or "Like" Michigan First on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/MichiganFirstCreditUnion.  

SOURCE Michigan First Credit Union