IntelliChoice.com Survey Finds Hybrid and Diesel Cars Beat Standard Models on Cost
09 July 2009 - 11:03PM
Business Wire
IntelliChoice.com�s fourth annual survey of eco-friendly
vehicles, released today, shows that most 2009 hybrid and clean
diesel cars, trucks and SUVs deliver a lower cost of ownership
compared to standard versions of the same vehicles.
IntelliChoice.com, a long-time observer of how environmental
concerns are reshaping the auto market, is the leading source for
automotive ownership cost and value analysis and is part of SOURCE
INTERLINK MEDIA.
The 2009 IntelliChoice.com Hybrid and Diesel Car survey explores
the value of all 2009 model year hybrids and, for the first time,
vehicles with clean diesel engines, by evaluating the major factors
that determine a vehicle�s cost of ownership over a five year
period or 70,000 miles. Those factors include Fuel, Maintenance and
Repair, Retained Value, Insurance, and Taxes and Licensing
Fees.
�The survey this year once again supports what we have long
argued�that most hybrid vehicles and now clean diesel vehicles
offer superior value to standard models,� said James Bell, editor
of IntelliChoice.com. �Of the 51 hybrid and clean diesel models now
on the market, 35 of them deliver a cost-of-ownership that is
somewhat or significantly lower than gasoline versions of the same
vehicle. The long-time knock against �green� cars, trucks and SUVs
is that their sticker prices do not justify the gas savings. The
point we make is that it is not just about fuel. Buyers also need
to consider costs such as maintenance and resale value.�
Bell added, "The Obama Administration's recent announcement of
unified and aggressive standards on Fuel Efficiency and CO2
Emissions puts even greater focus on the �green� vehicles in our
study. Many of the vehicles listed here will be 'make or break'
efforts for their manufacturers as they work to meet new standards
by 2016. In many cases, these vehicles already meet and exceed the
standards."
Among the top-line findings from the survey:
� �
Clean diesel has the potential
to be a game changer. �Clean diesel cars like the VW Jetta TDI
and Mercedes Benz E320 perform even better than hybrids in saving
thousands of dollars in costs and recouping their purchase
premium,� said Bell. �Make no mistake that clean diesel cars are
now mainstream. The Obama Administration needs to reexamine the
legacy of higher tax rates on diesel fuel, which were set long
before the switch to the low sulfur formulation required for
general consumer use. The time has come to put diesel on a level
playing field with gasoline. The Administration could even promote
it with lower taxation as is done in Europe.�
�
Small cars, sedans and
crossovers perform better than large trucks and SUVs. �No
surprise here. The Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid and even small
SUVs like the Ford Escape Hybrid save their owners thousands of
dollars over five years. When you begin to move into the larger
vehicles, especially big SUVs, you may pay a few thousand dollars
more in ownership costs for hybrid cars and clean diesel versions,�
said Bell.
�
The higher fuel prices go, the
greater value hybrids and clean diesels deliver. �The survey
uses a six-month running average of $3.20 per gallon in factoring
fuel costs. We expect that gas prices will eventually go up, which
increases the savings for hybrid car owners.�
�
** A complete PDF of the survey is
available at IntelliChoice.com or by contacting the media
representatives for IntelliChoice.com listed below. **
The Survey
IntelliChoice.com�s 2009 Hybrid and Diesel Car Survey pits
hybrid and clean diesel vehicles against their gas-powered
counterparts in the five most important cost of ownership
categories. For instance, the Ford Escape Hybrid is compared
against the �regular� or gas-only Ford Escape. The list below is a
sample of findings from the survey that demonstrates how cost of
ownership can offset higher sticker prices.
2009 Model and Trim
� �
MSRP Premium
� �
5-Yr Cost of Ownership
Savings
Volkswagen Jetta TDI
� � $2,070 � � � $6,210
Toyota Prius (vs. Camry)
$1,805 $4,930
Saturn Aura Green Line
$1,480 $2,185
Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC
($1,000) $4,645
Chevy Silverado 1500 Crew Cab
4WD
$615 $3,821
Ford Escape Hybrid AWD
$4,725 $2,123
Chevy Malibu Hybrid
$3,050 ($250)
Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 4WD
$8,400 ($2,265) �
About IntelliChoice.com,
Source Interlink Media, and Source Interlink Companies,
Inc.
IntelliChoice.com, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC, is the
market leader in automotive ownership cost and value analysis.
Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice.com is committed to empowering
consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing
independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through
the IntelliChoice.com web site, consumers get the help they need to
research, compare, configure and price vehicles. The site also
connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice,
including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide.
Source Interlink Media is a subsidiary of Source Interlink
Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SORC), a media and marketing services
company. Source Interlink is one of the largest publishers of
magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences and a leading
distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, music
CDs, magazines, games, books and related items. Learn more about
IntelliChoice.com and Source Interlink.
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