Multi-vehicle incentive program

• US 7,571,128 B1
• Filed: 01/26/2006
• Issued: 08/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Original Assignee: Ford Motor Company
• Inventors: Brown, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Diaz; Susanna M
• Assistant Examiner(s): ZIEGLE, STEPHANIE M
• Application Number:
  US11/275,744
• Time in Patent Office: 1,286 Days
• Field of Search: 705/35, 705 38- 45
• US Class Current: 705/35
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method and computer system for structuring two-vehicle financing. A price for a first vehicle having a first fuel economy is determined, and an average amount that the first vehicle will be driven each month is estimated. These steps are repeated for a second vehicle having a second fuel economy. Loan/lease terms are determined for both vehicles combined. A monthly transportation cost for the first and second vehicles combined is calculated based on the monthly loan or lease payment and the estimated amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively.

Claims

1. A method for restructuring a vehicle owner or lessor'"'"'s current vehicle financing to obtain an additional vehicle, the method comprising:

receiving instructions at one or more computers configured to restructure a vehicle owner or lessee'"'"'s current vehicle financing;

determining by the one or more computers a first monthly loan or lease payment for a first loan or lease on a first vehicle that a customer currently owns or leases;

determining by the one or more computers an outstanding loan or lease balance for the first loan or lease;

determining by the one or more computers an average amount that the first vehicle is driven each month;

determining by the one or more computers a monthly insurance payment for the first vehicle;

calculating by the one or more computers a monthly transportation cost for the first vehicle, the monthly transportation cost being calculated based on the first monthly loan or lease payment, the average amount that the first vehicle is driven each month, and the monthly insurance payment;

determining by the one or more computers an acquisition price for a second vehicle having a higher fuel economy than the first vehicle;

determining by the one or more computers a second loan or lease and a second monthly loan or lease payment for both vehicles combined;

determining by the one or more computers an average amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively, wherein a greater average amount is allocated to the second vehicle based on the higher fuel economy of the second vehicle;

determining by the one or more computers a pro-rata monthly insurance payment distributed between the first and second vehicles, the monthly insurance payment being based at least in part on the average amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively;

calculating by the one or more computers a monthly transportation cost for the first and second vehicles combined, the monthly transportation cost being calculated based on the second monthly loan or lease payment, the average amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively, and the monthly insurance payment for the first and second vehicles combined; and

financing the first and second vehicles with the second loan or lease, the second loan or lease being a restructured loan or lease of the first loan or lease to include payment of the second vehicle.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second vehicles are financed with the second loan or lease wherein the monthly transportation cost for the first and second vehicles combined is equal to or less than the monthly transportation cost for the first vehicle.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the financing for the first and second vehicles combined is more expensive than the financing for the first vehicle.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the monthly transportation costs are calculated by the one or more computer based at least in part on fuel cost.

5. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising:

(i) calculating by the one or more computers financing terms for two or more financing packages for the first and second vehicles;

(ii) comparing the two or more financing packages to identify an optimal financing package; and

(ii) selecting an optimal financing package to finance the first and second vehicles.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein one or more of steps (ii) and (iii) are performed automatically by a computer.

7. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising:

determining by the one or more computers an average monthly maintenance cost for the first vehicle;

calculating by the one or more computers the monthly transportation cost for the first vehicle based additionally on the average monthly maintenance cost;

determining by the one or more computers an average monthly maintenance cost for the first and second vehicles combined, the average monthly maintenance cost being lower for the first vehicle than the second vehicle based at least in part on the average amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively; and

calculating by the one or more computers the monthly transportation cost for the first and second vehicles combined based additionally on the average monthly maintenance cost for the first and second vehicles combined.

8. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising providing a manufacturer'"'"'s warranty with the second vehicle.

9. The method of claim 1 additionally comprising providing an extended warranty on the first vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the owner purchases the extended warranty on the first vehicle.

11. A computer system for restructuring a vehicle owner or lessor'"'"'s current vehicle financing to obtain an additional vehicle, the computer system comprising one or more computers operably programmed and configured to:

receive instructions for restructuring a vehicle owner or lessee'"'"'s current vehicle financing;

receive input defining a first monthly loan or lease payment for a first loan or lease on a first vehicle that a customer currently owns;

receive input defining an outstanding loan or lease balance for the first loan or lease;

receive input defining an average amount that the first vehicle is driven each month;

receive input defining a monthly insurance payment for the first vehicle;

calculate a monthly transportation cost for the first vehicle, the monthly transportation cost being calculated based on the first monthly loan or lease payment, the average amount that the first vehicle is driven each month, and the monthly insurance payment;

receive input defining a cost for acquiring a second vehicle having a higher fuel economy than the first vehicle;

determine a second loan or lease and a second monthly loan or lease payment for both vehicles combined;

receive input defining an average amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively, wherein a greater average amount is allocated to the second vehicle based on the higher fuel economy of the second vehicle; and

determine a pro rata monthly insurance payment distributed between the first and second vehicles, the monthly insurance payment being based at least in part on the average amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively; and

calculate a monthly transportation cost for the first and second vehicles combined, the monthly transportation cost being calculated based on the second monthly loan or lease payment, and the average amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively, and the monthly insurance payment for the first and second vehicles combined; and

output one or more financing programs for financing the first and second vehicles with the second loan or lease, the second loan or lease being a restructured loan or lease of the first loan or lease to include payment of the second vehicle.

12. The computer system of claim 11 additionally programmed and configured to process financing for the first and second vehicles with the second loan or lease if wherein the monthly transportation cost for the first and second vehicles combined is equal to or less than the monthly transportation cost for the first vehicle alone with the first loan or lease.

13. The computer system of claim 11 wherein the monthly transportation costs are calculated based at least in part on fuel cost.

14. The computer system of claim 11 additionally programmed and configured to:

calculate financing terms for two or more financing packages for the first and second vehicles;

compare the two or more financing packages to identify an optimal financing package; and

selecting an optimal financing package to finance the first and second vehicles.

15. The computer system of claim 11 additionally programmed and configured to:

receive input defining an average monthly maintenance cost for the first vehicle;

calculate the monthly transportation cost for the first vehicle based additionally on the average monthly maintenance cost;

determine an average monthly maintenance cost for the first and second vehicles combined, the average monthly maintenance cost being lower for the first vehicle than the second vehicle based at least in part on the average amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively; and

calculate the monthly transportation cost for the first and second vehicles combined based additionally on the average monthly maintenance cost for the first and second vehicles combined.

16. A method for determining a vehicle owner or lessee'"'"'s transportation cost in a two-vehicle financing program, the method comprising:

receiving instructions by one or more computers configured to determine a vehicle owner or lessee'"'"'s transportation cost;

determining by the one or more computers a price for a first vehicle having a first fuel economy;

estimating by the one or more computers an average amount that the first vehicle will be driven each month by a vehicle owner or lessee;

determining by the one or more computers an acquisition price for a second vehicle having a second fuel economy, the second vehicle having a higher fuel economy than the first vehicle;

estimating by the one or more computers an average amount that the second vehicle will be driven each month by the vehicle owner or lessee, wherein a greater average amount is allocated to the second vehicle based on the higher fuel economy of the second vehicle;

determining by the one or more computers terms of a loan or lease financing for both vehicles combined, the terms including a monthly loan or lease payment;

determining by the one or more computers a pro-rata monthly insurance payment distributed between the first and second vehicles, the monthly insurance payment being based at least in part on the estimated average amount that the first and second vehicle will be driven each month, respectively;

calculating by the one or more computers a monthly transportation cost for the first and second vehicles combined, the monthly transportation cost being calculated based on the monthly loan or lease payment, the estimated amount that the first and second vehicles will be driven each month, respectively and the monthly insurance payment for the first and second vehicles combined; and

financing the first and second vehicles with a financing package based at least in part on the monthly transportation cost for both vehicles combined.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the price for the first vehicle is an outstanding loan or lease balance for an existing loan or lease on the first vehicle.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the monthly transportation costs are calculated by the one or more computers based at least in part on fuel cost.

19. The method of claim 16 additionally comprising:

(i) calculating by the one or more computers financing terms for two or more financing packages for the first and second vehicles combined;

(ii) comparing the two or more financing packages to identify an optimal financing package; and

(ii) selecting an optimal financing package to finance the first and second vehicles together.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein one or more of steps (ii) and (iii) are performed automatically by a computer.