DALLAS — Santander Consumer USA revealed this week it has adopted the National Auto Auction Association's Silver National Certification Standard for finance company vehicles sold at auctions nationwide.

Santander recapped that this wholesale certification program introduced by NAAA in January sets a universal, streamlined set of standards that all wholesale stakeholders can use when making purchase decisions.

The finance company emphasized its use of the NCS Silver Certification complements and closely mirrors its own Santander 7 program, which was rolled out last year to provide a comprehensive seven-day guarantee for select vehicles sold at auction.

Santander became fully integrated with the new Silver Certification on May 1.

"We fully support the standardization of certification programs as evidenced by our early adoption of the NCS Silver Certification," stated Brent Huisman, senior vice president of remarketing for Santander.

"By streamlining various certification efforts in the industry, the NCS Silver Certification further validates our already successful Santander 7 program and gives our buyers an extra measure of confidence in our vehicles — both in-lane and online," Huisman continued.   

Bob McConkey, former NAAA president and member of the standards committee added, "NCS offers more than just a ratings system. This program creates a common method of comparison and transparency in transactions – whether in-lane or online, at any auction, anywhere.

"Santander Consumer USA was already utilizing certification standards in line with NAAA Silver Certification, so their decision to participate in the formal program is truly a win-win for the industry," McConkey went on to say. "By adopting the universal standards, they have taken yet another step to continuously improve our industry."