Diesel Engine Option Gains in Resale Value, According to Black Book Data

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Diesel Engine Option Gains in Resale Value, According to Black Book^® Data

Gainesville, Ga, July 11, 2007 – Diesel engines have become a highly valued resale option at auto industry auctions in 2007, earning an average of 120 percent of their original price in 2005 model year vehicles, according to industry pricing guide Black Book^®.

The resale value of the diesel engine option increased in value on six of seven 2005 models. The optional diesel engine in the Mercedes E320 CDI had the highest percentage increase over its gasoline powered counterpart, jumping to 250 percent of its original Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). Other used vehicles with diesel powered engine options increasing in value included:

· VW Jetta GLS (164 percent)

· Ford F250 Pickup XLT Crew Cab 4WD (127 percent)

· VW New Beetle GLS (121 percent)

· Chevy Silverado 2500 Pickup LS Crew Cab 4WD (117 percent)

· Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup SLT Quad Cab 4WD (104 percent)

The trend underscores the growing consumer acceptance of diesel engines and bodes well for manufacturers planning to launch diesel powered vehicles in the near future, according to Ricky Beggs, vice president and managing editor at Black Book.

“It is rare to see a particular option increase in value like diesel engines have in recent months,” Beggs said. “Many drivers appear to be readily accepting diesel engines as a viable option and it appears the availability of more diesel powered engines from auto manufacturers is well timed.”

Several manufacturers have plans for future diesel engines, including the Ford F-150, the 2010 Dodge Ram 1500, the 2010 Chevy Silverado and the 2010 GMC Sierra.

A diesel engine offers a variety of advantages including increased fuel efficiency (up to 40 percent more), lower emissions, increased engine longevity and improved power and torque when compared to traditional gasoline spark-injected engines.

About Black Book

Considered to be the industry’s most timely and accurate source of vehicle pricing data, the Black Book^® family of vehicle appraisal guides (www.BlackBookUSA.com) is published by National Auto Research, a division of Hearst Business Media. New and used car dealers, lenders, manufacturers, fleet remarketers, and government agencies have relied on Black Book since 1955. Black Book provides values for both new and used vehicles, including cars and light trucks produced since 1946, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, personal watercraft, and heavy duty commercial trucks and trailers. Black Book data is published weekly in multiple formats including printed guides, electronic data feeds, Internet-based real time applications, hand held PDAs, and in a variety of other custom products.

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Diesel Engine Option Gains in Resale Value, According to Black Book® Data

Gainesville, Ga, July 11, 2007 – Diesel engines have become a highly valued resale option at auto industry auctions in 2007, earning an average of 120 percent of their original price in 2005 model year vehicles, according to industry pricing guide Black Book®.