DALLAS and ATLANTA -

It was announced Thursday that AutoTrader.com has chosen a preferred direct lender for the site, one that the company contends will  provide shoppers interested in a direct lending option with “a seamless way to access financing.”

Tapped for the role is online auto lender RoadLoans.com —  owned by automotive finance company Santander Consumer USA Inc.

Commenting on the news, Lana Johnson, vice president of originations for Santander Consumer USA , said, "RoadLoans has helped hundreds of thousands of people receive auto financing, while AutoTrader.com is a trusted brand by millions of consumers.

"Their Web presence, coupled with our online financing capabilities, creates the perfect combination to help more customers purchase a car,” she added.

Now, shoppers on AutoTrader.com will see the RoadLoans.com finance option when they indicate they need financing.

And once they transfer to the RoadLoans.com site, shoppers can complete a secure online loan application and receive a loan decision in seconds, officials noted.

Moreover, consumers can customize their loan, select their preference for annual percentage rate, loan term and down payment amount.

"The transition from online car shopping to offline purchasing is not as smooth as it could be, and we’re looking for ways to fill this unmet need for consumers," says Matt McKenna, senior vice president of national accounts at AutoTrader.com.

"With the RoadLoans.com solution integrated into AutoTrader.com, consumers will be able to access an instant direct-to-consumer financing option to help them move forward in the car buying process,” he concluded.