What is a common payment option offered to customers when purchasing a vehicle?

Installment loans are a common payment option offered to customers when purchasing a vehicle because they allow buyers to finance a part of the vehicle's cost over time. This means the customer can pay for the car in smaller, manageable monthly payments rather than needing to spend the full amount upfront. This option increases accessibility for many buyers who may not have sufficient cash saved to purchase a vehicle outright.

Leasing agreements are indeed another viable option, but they do not directly equate to purchasing in the same way that an installment loan does. Cash payments are also a straightforward option but are less common as many consumers prefer financing. Trade-in credits provide a method to reduce the purchase price by using the value of a customer's existing vehicle, but they do not represent a payment method by themselves. Hence, installment loans are typically recognized as one of the primary mechanisms for facilitating vehicle purchases.