- 2009 Survey Shows Clean Diesel Models Beat Hybrids in Return on
Investment -
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:
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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.”
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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.
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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.”
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** 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.
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2009 Model and Trim
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MSRP Premium
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5-Yr Cost of Ownership Savings
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Volkswagen
Jetta TDI
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$2,070
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$6,210
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Toyota
Prius (vs. Camry)
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$1,805
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$4,930
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Saturn
Aura Green Line
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$1,480
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$2,185
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Mercedes-Benz
GL320 BlueTEC
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($1,000)
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$4,645
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Chevy
Silverado 1500 Crew Cab 4WD
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$615
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$3,821
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Ford
Escape Hybrid AWD
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$4,725
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$2,123
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Chevy
Malibu Hybrid
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$3,050
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($250)
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Cadillac
Escalade Hybrid 4WD
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$8,400
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($2,265)
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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.
Media:
Jocelyn Johnson, 917-406-5886
jjohnson@gravitas-pr.com
or
Brian
Posnanski, 314-518-6449
bposnanski@gravitas-pr.com
