For Immediate Release

Toyota, Honda, and Nissan Lead Finalists for Vincentric’s Best Value in America™ Awards

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Michigan – April 20, 2005 – Finalists for Vincentric’s Best Value in America™ awards were announced today, with Toyota leading the way with 21 finalists. Honda and Nissan were also well represented with 14 and 12 vehicles respectively. In addition, Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge all have at least 8 vehicles in the running.

All mass produced cars, SUVs, and light duty trucks sold in the U.S. are eligible for Vincentric’s Best Value in America™ awards, with close to 7,000 vehicle configurations analyzed in 34 different vehicle segments. Segments include categories such as Compact Pick-ups, Sport-Wagons, and Luxury Cars. The vehicle configurations are then collapsed into approximately 1,900 typical vehicle trim levels on which Vincentric performs its analysis. 

“To put it simply, our finalists all give consumers the best ‘bang for the buck’”, stated David Wurster, President of Vincentric. “Over a five year period, each of these vehicles will provide consumers with high value, allowing them to enjoy the best return on their investment compared to other vehicles in the same segment.”

Vincentric starts its rating process by determining the typical price a consumer pays for each vehicle studied. Using over 45 different sources, the company then measures eight costs consisting of Depreciation, Fuel, Insurance, Financing, State Fees & Taxes, Maintenance, Repairs, and Opportunity Cost. Opportunity Cost refers to the interest earnings that could have been generated using the funds spent on the vehicle. Sophisticated statistical methods are then applied to determine the typical ownership costs for a vehicle at all price points in each vehicle segment. Each vehicle then receives a Vincentric Value Rating of Excellent, Good, Average, Below Average, or Poor. The top vehicles in each segment move to the next stage of the review in which additional analyses are performed to determine Vincentric’s Best Value in America™. 

The 2005 model year winners of Vincentric’s Best Value in America™ awards will be announced on Wednesday, May 3, as will the specific value ratings for all 2005 model year vehicles. 

The complete list of finalists for Vincentric’s Best Value in America™ awards may be accessed today at www.vincentric.com.

About Vincentric
Vincentric provides data, knowledge, and insight to the automotive industry by identifying and applying the many aspects of automotive value. Using its comprehensive, proprietary cost-of-ownership database, the company measures and analyzes the overall cost of owning and operating vehicles and its effect on the value provided to consumers. Vincentric, LLC, is a privately held automotive data compilation and analysis firm headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.  For more information, visit the Vincentric web site at www.vincentric.com or call 248-430-4121.

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Contact:

Dave Freed
Vincentric, LLC
952-891-1054

dave.freed@vincentric.com
www.vincentric.com