Fourth Annual Best-Retained Value Awards

    MARKHAM, ON, Feb. 18 /CNW/ - Canadian Black Book has released its fourth
annual "Best Retained Value" winners among passenger cars and light-trucks
under $70,000. The awards based on data gathered from four-year-old vehicles
in this case 2005 models, determines a vehicle's ability to retain value from
its original MSRP.
    Expanded from Black Book's traditional 'top five' brands named, this year
they have chosen top individual models from manufacturers. "Every brand
contains weak performers, there is greater value to the consumer in
identifying specific models that out-perform the pack," said Larry Shred,
executive vice president of CBB, adding, "Since the awards measure actual
value retained and not a prospective look, consumer confidence in the model is
strengthened based on actual performance"
    Canadian Black Book commends Toyota Canada for posting an unprecedented
five models in the top ten. "This list also demonstrates the faith buyers
place in the Toyota brand and its solid reputation," said Mr. Shred.
    Fully half of the models in this year's top ten are from compact segment.

    
    2009 top ten models for retained value are:

    1)Toyota Rav4            6) Honda Civic
    2) Dodge Sprinter        7) Toyota Tacoma
    3) MINI Cooper           8) Toyota Corolla
    4) Toyota Echo           9) Toyota Matrix
    5) Smart Fortwo          10) Mazda Mazda3

    Top five models posting the largest percentage increase in retained value
    over last year, alphabetically:

    -   Ford Focus
    -   Honda Civic
    -   Kia Spectra
    -   Nissan Sentra
    -   Toyota Echo
    

    About Canadian Black Book

    Founded in 1960, Wm. Ward Publishing is owned and operated by Kathy Ward,
and is the official distributor of Canadian Black Book. Canadian Black Book is
the publisher of the "Black Book" vehicle value and residual guides and is the
benchmark for automobile dealers, manufacturers, financial services firms,
insurance companies and other sectors with interests in the automobile
industry.

For further information:

For further information: Josh Bailey, senior manager, client services,
Canadian Black Book, (905) 413-7614, Josh@CanadianBlackBook.com