GMAC resumes leasing in most U.S. states

GMAC Inc on Monday said it will resume offering leases on select vehicles in most U.S. states, a year after curtailing the practice.

The Detroit-based lender said improved funding flexibility, the restructuring of General Motors Co [GM.UL] and rising used car values have made leasing more viable.

GMAC's program covers the 2009 Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu and Chevrolet Traverse, and the 2010 Buick Enclave, Buick LaCrosse, Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Acadia in 45 states.

Last week, GM announced a pilot leasing program covering the same vehicles in the other five states: Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and Ohio.

The GM program also provides leases nationwide on the 2010 Cadillac SRX. It expires on August 31.

While we do not expect leasing to return to its heyday levels across all models, it remains an attractive financing tool for certain segments, particularly new launch vehicles and select models in the luxury market, GMAC President Bill Muir said in a statement. He said the lender might add other models to its program.

GM filed for bankruptcy protection in June and emerged the following month. GMAC is the automaker's former financing arm and is now the preferred provider of financing to purchasers of GM and Chrysler vehicles.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel; editing by John Wallace)