Hybrids Lag in Resale Value

No hybrids cracked the top 10 in a new report on the projected resale value of vehicles, the LA Times reports. The Kelley Blue Book predictions have 3 models from Volkswagen and 2 from Honda, but none of the gas-saving newbies. Brand-new hybrids remain strong sellers, one analyst says, but with automakers cranking more of them out, their value is dropping in the used-car market.

The Toyota Prius hybrid is expected to retain 42% of its value after five years, well above average, but many first-generation Priuses will need their batteries replaced soon, to the tune of about $3,500. Then again, some of Volkswagen’s list-toppers have received poor grades from Consumer Reports, showing that “enthusiasm for a particular model can trump fears about reliability,” a Kelley analyst said. (More auto industry stories.)