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Hybrids Lag in Resale Value
Not one cracks the top 10; Volkswagen rules the roost
By Kevin Spak
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Posted Nov 14, 07 5:10 PM CST
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(Newser)
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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.