The right structure for your fleet, not the easiest one to sell you.

Most mid-market companies are financing their fleet under a structure that made sense at one point, but no longer fits how their business operates. OEM lease programs lock you into one manufacturer. Bank financing ties up working capital. Reimbursement programs create tax and compliance exposure that compounds over time.

Southgate is independent. We’re not tied to any manufacturer, any captive finance company, or any single product. We analyze your fleet, your business model, and your financial objectives, then recommend the structure that actually fits.

Lease & financing solutions

Who this is for

You’re running 10 to 150 vehicles and currently own outright, are in an expiring lease cycle, or are running a driver reimbursement program you suspect is costing more than it should. You want an independent advisor to analyze your options, not a finance company with a product to push. Southgate runs the numbers, explains the trade-offs, and helps you choose the structure that serves your business.

Flexible structures, for fleets that don’t stand still.

Two service areas, the right structure, and the expert guidance to choose it. Click either to see the full breakdown.

Flexible lease structures

Open-end, closed-end, ownership lease, and TRAC options, all tailored to how your fleet actually operates, not what’s easiest to sell.

  • Open-end lease

  • Closed-end lease
  • Ownership lease options

  • TRAC lease (Terminal Rental Adjustment Clause)

  • Flexible terms built around your cycle

Expert lease consultation

Residual value expertise, tax strategy, TCO modeling, restructuring, and client education, the advisory layer that makes the difference between an okay fleet finance program and a great one.

  • Residual value & depreciation expertise

  • Tax management & strategy
  • Lease restructuring & sale-leaseback
  • Total cost of ownership analysis
  • Capitalization & reduced upfront spend
  • Finance programs for ownership

Find the right financing

Tell us about your fleet and financial goals, and we’ll help you explore the right options.

Schedule a conversation

Independent. Flexible. Built for the mid-market.

When a finance company recommends a lease structure, they’re recommending the product they sell. When Southgate recommends a structure, it’s because it’s right for your business. That’s the difference independence makes.

Advisors who explain the trade-offs, not salespeople pushing a product

Our team takes the time to walk you through every option in plain language. Open-end vs. closed-end, lease vs. own, reimbursement exit strategies, we explain the real differences and help you choose what fits your business. You’ll never feel like you’re being steered toward a quota.

Truly independent, not tied to any manufacturer or captive program

We don’t represent Ford, GM, or any OEM finance arm. Our only interest is the right structure for your fleet and your business model. That independence is rare in fleet financing, and it matters when you’re making a multi-year commitment.

TCO analysis at no cost, before you commit to anything

We model the full financial picture: acquisition cost, residual value, maintenance exposure, tax treatment, and total cost of ownership across lease vs. own scenarios. You make the decision with complete information, not assumptions.

50 years of fleet financing relationships, working for your rates

Competitive rates don’t come from a single source, they come from 50+ years of fleet pricing relationships built across manufacturers, dealers, and financing partners. That network works to your advantage on every vehicle we place.

Compare lease vs. own, free TCO analysis.