The newest partnership forged by DriveItAway Holdings arrived at a time when CEO John Possumato said the company’s exclusive “Pay as You Go” app-based subscription might be needed even more.

Possumato pointed out that rejection rates for auto finance applications reached a record high in 2023, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Consumer Expectations Credit Access Survey, rising year-over-year from 5.2% to 11%.

So, this week Possumato welcomed DriveItAway’s alliance with Partners Personnel, a staffing and workforce solutions provider founded in 2017 with more than 100 locations nationwide.

DriveItAway offers unique “micro-lease to purchase technology,” allowing everyone to drive a vehicle of their choice right away and buy it later, irrespective of their credit score or security deposit.

DriveItAway technology is a software platform and app designed for dealers. It can reduce the risk associated with subprime or deep subprime credit transactions, leading to satisfied customers and an increase in market share.

“While the car buying process has improved over the last few decades for those with good or even fair credit, unfortunately, the process for subprime and deep subprime credit customers is still in the dark ages,” said Possumato, who also is among the entrepreneurs speaking at Cherokee Media Group’s Auto Intel Summit + National Remarketing Conference that runs April 23-25 in Cary, N.C.

“The credit-challenged have to use the bus, high-priced ‘junker’ rentals, or are relegated to self-finance used dealer lots, many times overpaying for very high mileage vehicles that break down well before the high-interest finance note is paid off, leaving them worse off than they started,” Possumato continued in a news release. “DriveItAway uses advances in technology to offer a much better alternative to free millions from this cycle of poor transportation choices.”

The program is currently available in select Partners Personnel markets, including Indiana, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Iowa and Florida. The program is set to be expanded nationwide in the coming months.

“The initial response has been very positive from our associates as so many do not have a reasonable path to own their own reliable vehicle,” Partners Personnel regional vice president Kristy Gebhart said.

“Not only do they get the car, but the process is far more convenient than spending hours at a dealership,” Gebhart continued. “Our clients love the program also as they know there is a connection between reliable transportation and improvement in turnover and absenteeism — two of their biggest workforce challenges.”

One of the success stories involved Jean Joseph Senat, a Partners Personnel associate employee, who shared a testimonial in the news release.

“My credit wasn’t great, I didn’t have money for a large down payment, and I was stuck paying for a car that was never going to be mine,” Senat said. “Now with the DriveItAway program I have a way to get a car which makes sense. A $500 security deposit, I pick the car I want, have it dropped off to me, and now the money I pay goes toward the future purchase of my car.”

DriveItAway reiterated its mission is to empower everyone to secure an immediate micro-lease for their desired high-quality gas or electric vehicle through its app, complete with door-to-door delivery.

“We are excited to partner with DriveItAway to provide our associate employees access to affordable transportation so they can get to work and advance their careers and their lives,” Partners Personnel president Mark McComb said.

For further information about DriveItAway and the company’s subsidiaries and products, visit www.driveitaway.com.