Purchase any new or used vehicle from Jay Malone Motors between August 1–21, 2026 and receive two (2) tickets to the Saturday, August 22, 2026 professional football game in Minneapolis, MN, while supplies last. Limit one ticket pair per vehicle purchased. Tickets awarded at delivery. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any professional football league or team. Must be 18+. See dealer for details. Jay Malone Motors, 1165 Highway 7 West, Hutchinson, MN · (320) 587-4748.
Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program | Jay Malone Ford | Hutchinson MN
Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program
Your first Ford starts here.
Buying your first vehicle in Hutchinson? You have more options than you think.
If you have never financed a vehicle before, the hardest part usually is not picking the truck or the SUV. It is not knowing whether a lender will say yes. The Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program was built for exactly that situation — buyers with little or no auto credit history who are ready to get started.
At Jay Malone Ford, our finance office walks first-time buyers through this every week. No pressure, no jargon, no guessing. Just a straight conversation about where you stand and what is realistic.
The Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program is a joint program from Ford Credit and Ford Motor Company for buyers who have not financed a vehicle before. Qualified applicants may be eligible for a lower APR than they would typically see without prior auto credit, along with bonus cash on eligible new Ford vehicles and flexible terms. It covers both new Fords and eligible Ford Blue Advantage certified pre-owned vehicles.
Why it matters
What the program actually does for you
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A better rate than you would expect
Without prior auto credit, lenders have very little history to look at, and first-time buyers often get quoted higher rates because of it. This program is designed so qualified applicants may be eligible for a lower APR than they would otherwise receive.
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Room to shop
The program allows financing up to $50,000, which covers a wide range of what sits on our lot — from a Maverick or an Escape to a well-equipped F-150.
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New or certified pre-owned
You are not limited to brand new. Eligible Ford Blue Advantage certified pre-owned vehicles from the current model year back through five model years old also qualify.
A quick look at the Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program.
Check the basics
Does this sound like you?
You may be a fit for the First-Time Buyer Program if most of these are true:
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This would be your first financed vehicle — you have no prior auto loan history.
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You do not have a prior repossession, charge-off, or bankruptcy on your credit.
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You have been at your current job for at least six consecutive months.
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The vehicle will be for your personal use, not for a business or a fleet.
Not sure where your credit sits? That is normal, and it is not something you need to figure out before you call us. Credit score is only one of several things Ford Credit looks at, and auto lenders do not always use the same score you see on a free credit app. Nick can pull your actual standing and tell you where you are in about five minutes.
Pick your first one
Which Ford models are eligible?
The program covers ten new Ford models — a good mix of commuters, trucks, SUVs, and electric:
For most first-time buyers around Hutchinson, the Maverick and the Escape are the two we end up talking about most — both are easy on fuel, easy to park, and handle a Minnesota winter without drama. If you need to pull a boat or a trailer, the Ranger is worth a look.
Certified pre-owned counts too. Eligible Ford Blue Advantage Gold and Blue certified vehicles from the current model year through five model years old also qualify under this program. That often puts a nicer, better-equipped vehicle in reach than a new one at the same payment.
Three simple steps
How it works, start to finish
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Tell us what you need
Come in, call, or start online. Tell us what you drive it for, what you are comfortable spending each month, and what you have been looking at. We will be honest about what is realistic.
Once we know what you qualify for, we match it to the right vehicle — new or Ford Blue Advantage certified. Then we explain every line of the paperwork before you sign anything.
“If a term does not make sense, ask. I will stop and explain it. Nobody should sign something they do not understand.”
Nick Betker, Finance Manager
Family owned since 2005
Why buy your first vehicle from a family-owned store
A first vehicle is a big deal, and the finance office is where most people feel the most out of their depth. That is the part we take seriously. Nick Betker runs our finance department and does not rush anyone through it.
Jay Malone Motors has been family-owned in Hutchinson since 2005, and a good share of our first-time buyers are the kids and grandkids of people we sold to twenty years ago. That is the whole point. We would rather earn the next thirty years than squeeze the first deal.
We work with first-time buyers from Hutchinson, Glencoe, Litchfield, Winsted, Cokato, Dassel, Brownton, Stewart, Silver Lake, Hector, Buffalo Lake, and across McLeod, Meeker, and Renville counties.
Straight answers
First-time buyer questions we get asked most
Can I buy a car if I have never had a car loan before?
Yes. That is exactly who this program is built for. The Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program is designed for buyers with no prior auto credit history, so having never financed a vehicle is not a disqualifier here — it is the qualifier. Approval still depends on Ford Credit’s review of your overall credit and income, but the lack of an auto loan on your record does not count against you the way it might on a standard application.
Do I need a co-signer to qualify?
Many first-time buyers qualify on their own through this program. That said, depending on your credit history and Ford Credit’s underwriting review, a co-signer or a larger down payment may be required in some cases. We will tell you straight if that is where you land rather than letting you find out at the finish line.
Does checking if I qualify hurt my credit score?
Getting pre-qualified does not affect your credit score. Pre-qualification uses a soft credit inquiry, which is not visible to other lenders and does not lower your score. A hard inquiry only happens later, when you submit a full credit application on a specific vehicle. Pre-qualification is not the same thing as an approval, but it is a no-risk way to see where you stand first.
Can I use the First-Time Buyer Program on a used vehicle?
Yes, on eligible Ford Blue Advantage Gold and Blue certified pre-owned vehicles from the current model year back through five model years old. It does not apply to every used vehicle on the lot — only Ford Blue Advantage certified inventory qualifies. We can show you which vehicles on our lot fall into that group.
What documents should I bring in?
Bring your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and recent proof of income such as pay stubs. If you have a trade-in, bring the title and, if there is still a loan on it, your lender information. Depending on your credit history, Ford Credit may ask for additional documentation such as proof of residence — Nick will tell you up front if anything else is needed.
How long is the First-Time Buyer Program available?
Ford Credit has this program scheduled to run through December 31, 2026. It is a pilot program, which means the terms and the end date can change, and specific incentives tied to it are updated periodically. If you are thinking about your first vehicle, it is worth having the conversation sooner rather than assuming the program will still look the same later.
About the Author
I’m Nick Betker, Finance Manager at Jay Malone Motors in Hutchinson, MN. I sit down with first-time buyers just about every week — people buying with no credit history, people whose parents came in with them, people who have been saving for a year and are nervous about the whole thing. My job is to explain what you are signing before you sign it and to be honest with you about what makes sense for your budget. If you have a question about financing your first vehicle, call me directly at (320) 587-4748.
Ready when you are
Let’s find out what you qualify for.
No pressure and no obligation. We will walk you through the program, answer your questions, and help you find a first vehicle that actually fits your budget.
Jay Malone Ford · 1165 Highway 7 West, Hutchinson, MN 55350
Eligibility does not guarantee credit approval. Financing is subject to Ford Credit approval and standard underwriting guidelines. Not all buyers will qualify. Program terms, vehicle eligibility, incentives, and availability are subject to change without notice. Additional down payment, proof of income, or proof of residence may be required based on credit history and underwriting guidelines. Not compatible with 90-day deferred payment programs. One vehicle per customer. The Ford Credit First-Time Buyer Program is scheduled to run through December 31, 2026. Ford Blue Advantage certified pre-owned eligibility applies to Gold and Blue certified vehicles from the current model year through five model years old. See Jay Malone Ford for complete program details and current offers.
