ALG's Annual Residual Value Awards Recognize Subaru and Lexus as Top Brands

FYI: Lexus Buyer's Guide

FYI: Subaru Buyer's Guide

SANTA BARBARA, CA--Nov. 16, 2011: ALG, a subsidiary of TrueCar, Inc., and the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data, today announced its 13th Annual Residual Value Awards, with Subaru and Lexus earning the awards for top mainstream and luxury brands, respectively. Japanese models continued their overall dominance, winning 11 of the 21 ALG awards.

ALG's Residual Value Awards honor the vehicles in each segment that are predicted to retain the highest percentage off their MSRP after a conventional three-year period.

"Residual value is a great indicator of brand strength which in turn contributes to greater sales and profitability," said Raj Sundaram for ALG. "We have seen a strong focus this year on producing high-quality products with great pricing and packaging delivering real value for vehicle buyers."

In a highly competitive marketplace, the 2012 awards recognize those brands that are committed to improving residuals by delivering superior products to customers.

This year's awards are based on 2012 model year vehicles, and winners were chosen after a careful evaluation of vehicle criteria, including segment competition, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. The complete list of winners can be found at: https://www.alg.com/ResidualValueAwards

Subaru of America won the Mainstream Brand Residual Value Award, landing at the top of the segment for the third year in a row. Two Subaru models also received individual segment awards: the Legacy (in the Midsize Car category) and the Outback (Midsize Utility Vehicle category).

"The consistently high quality of Subaru products, and the brand's ability to remain progressive and practical in their redesigns, continue to draw fiercely loyal customers," said Mr. Sundaram. "With high sales, Subaru consistently has low incentives and fleet sales, which have enhanced the brand's used value and helped it hold on to the top spot among mainstream brands again this year."

Lexus, a division of Toyota Motor North America, Inc., claims the top ranking among luxury brands for the first time since 2007. The Lexus CT 200h also won the Luxury Hybrid/Alternative Powertrain segment.

"Lexus has fully bounced back from its recent challenges, proving that it is one of the strongest brands," said Mr. Sundaram. "The brand is extending its reach with exciting and affordable new models like the CT 200h, while continuing to provide great luxury and value across the lineup. Lexus' reputation for value and customer service is also key to its dominance among luxury brands."

Audi of America took home the most segment awards of any brand, winning three for the A6 (Luxury Car), the S5 (Luxury Sports Car) and the Q7 (Luxury Fullsize Utility Vehicle).

Range Rover extended its lineup to include an entry vehicle, the Range Rover Evoque, which landed at the top of the Luxury Compact Utility Vehicle segment. The brand also scored its seventh consecutive award for the Range Rover Sport in the Luxury Midsize Utility Vehicle segment.

Toyota swept the pickup categories, with the Tacoma winning the Midsize Pickup segment and the Tundra winning the Fullsize Pickup segment.

Honda was the segment winner in two mainstream categories, for the Fit (Entry Compact Car) and the Odyssey (MPV).

Domestic manufacturers earned more than one award this year, for the Jeep Wrangler (Compact Utility Vehicle segment) and the GMC Acadia (Fullsize Utility Vehicle segment).

The Volkswagen Golf TDI held on to first place in the Hybrid/Alternative Powertrain segment, while the Lexus CT 200h, boasting the highest fuel economy of any luxury vehicle, took the top spot in the Luxury Hybrid/Alternative Powertrain segment.

The remaining segment winners were the Hyundai Elantra (Mid-Compact Car), Mazda Mazdaspeed3 (Sporty Car), Mercedes-Benz C-Class (Near Luxury Car), Nissan Maxima (Fullsize Car).