DETROIT — With the annual gathering of franchised dealers dead ahead, Ally is ramping up its lease training on the heels of more than 7,700 dealer employees going through the program a year ago.

The company highlighted attendees of Ally's lease training sessions can learn about the complete value proposition of leasing and how it can meet unique customer needs.

Ally insisted the training also can provide dealers with tools to teach them how to improve customer retention and loyalty.

To further assist dealers in educating their staffs on the key elements of leasing, Ally will be conducting classroom training sessions at the upcoming National Automobile Dealers Association Convention and Expo in Las Vegas.

Officials indicated training will be offered at three separate times to provide flexibility and accommodate dealer schedules while they are at NADA.

"We're excited to offer our lease training at the NADA Convention, as it provides us with another opportunity to engage directly with the dealers, demonstrate our expertise and show them how we can add value to them and their business," stated Kathy Ruble, Ally's director of alliance sales, performance and development

In 2011, Ally tabulated that more than 7,700 dealership personnel completed lease training offered by the company either via online instruction, in-dealership training or classroom setting at a centralized location.

"With growth predicted in the industry in 2012, dealers want to ensure their staffs are knowledgeable on all the vehicle leasing and purchase financing options available to consumers," Ruble noted.

"We continue to get very positive feedback from dealers who've attended our lease training sessions," she added.