The title for a used vehicle must be held in the name of:

The title for a used vehicle must be held in the name of the dealer because, in most transactional contexts, the dealer is the entity that has acquired ownership of the vehicle to sell it to the retail customer. This ownership is essential for properly transferring the title; the dealer must have the legal right to sell the vehicle, which is indicated by the title being held in their name. By having the title, the dealer can assure potential buyers that they have the ability to legally transfer ownership upon completion of the sale.

The retail customer does not hold the title until they complete the purchase; therefore, it wouldn't be appropriate for the title to be in their name at that stage. The previous owner may have held the title before selling the vehicle, but once the dealer acquires it, they take ownership and hold the title until the final sale. The mention of a third-party provider implies a role that does not apply to the direct process of vehicle purchase and title transfer, which typically involves just the seller (in this case, the dealer) and the buyer (the retail customer).