Car loans are a type of personal loan where you apply to borrow a certain amount, and upon approval, that money is transferred to you, and you commence a process of repaying a combination of interest and principle. A secured loan is often at a lower rate because the lender takes ‘security’ over the vehicle, i.e. if you don’t repay, they take the vehicle back.
Car finance, on the other hand, does not lend money. Lenders like Alpha instead finance a vehicle under our name for the duration of the contract term. Then at the end of the term, the customer can transfer the car into his or her name, upgrade into a newer model, or move on to something else. In a way, it is like a long-term hire. Similar to rent-to-own, with Alpha you pay a small one-off and a fixed weekly repayment (that includes the registration and insurance).