Best Fleet Value in America

Vincentric presents its 2010 Best Fleet Value in America awards, the only fleet-specific valuation award of its kind in the automotive industry. Toyota, the automaker that has taken home the most trophies in the award's five-year history, again had a strong showing by winning 10 categories out of 35.

Ford took home eight awards, while General Motors' four brands claimed seven. Premium brand Volvo won three awards. Volkswagen, a newcomer to fleet, took home two trophies.

Chevrolet Impala Police Edition won in a new category, Police Sedan. Ford Transit Connect won in another new category, Mini Commercial Van, a growing segment in the industry.

The well-received, all-new Ford Taurus won the Large Passenger Car category, an important high-volume category for fleet.

Looking back on the awards' five-year history, Chevy Silverado has won every year in the Full Size Heavy Duty 1 Ton Pickup category and four out of five years in the Full Size Pickup, ½ Ton category. Toyota Tacoma won the Compact Pickup award for the fifth year in a row, as has Toyota Camry in the Mid-Size Sedan category.

How the Awards Are Determined

To determine the Best Fleet Value in America awards, Vincentric used its ongoing comprehensive analysis of lifecycle costs to identify the best fleet values in the industry. The company measured eight cost factors for more than 2,000 vehicle configurations in the 2010 model year, with 20 different mileage/lifecycle timeframe scenarios used in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The more than 16 million lifecycle cost measurements that resulted were then reviewed to determine the winning vehicles. 

The eight cost factors that determined overall lifecycle costs were depreciation, fuel, insurance, opportunity cost, financing, maintenance, taxes, state fees and repairs. These costs were integrated with the Vincentric fleet price, which estimates the acquisition cost for each vehicle in the study. 

"Our awards look to provide guidance to all types of fleet buyers, including small business fleets, executive fleets and high-volume managed fleets. By segmenting awards into entry level, mid-level and premium level vehicles, buyers have guidance for a broad range of fleet vehicles," says David Wurster, president of Vincentric. "In addition, by using 20 different mileage/lifecycle timeframe scenarios, we've taken into account a wide variety of driving and ownership patterns." 

Variance in winners from year to year is primarily due to fluctuations in pricing and incentives, as well as changes in residual values. To qualify, manufacturers must meet minimum thresholds based upon commercial and government (non-rental) fleet sales. 

The vehicle segments and the winners of Vincentric's Best Fleet Value in America awards for the 2010 model year are listed below. In addition, a review of each winner and further information about the study is available at www.vincentric.com.

2010 Model Year Winners of Vincentric's Best Fleet Value in America Awards

Passenger Cars

Subcompact: Toyota Yaris Sedan

Compact, Hatchback: Toyota Matrix Base 

Compact, Sedan: Nissan Versa Base 

Compact, Premium: Volvo S40 2.4i 

Compact, Advanced Fuel Technology: Toyota Prius I 

Mid-Size Sedan: Toyota Camry Base 

Mid-Size Sedan, Premium: Audi A4 2.0T FrontTrak

Sedan, Advanced Fuel Technology: Toyota Camry Hybrid

Large: Ford Taurus SE FWD

Large, Premium: Lincoln MKS FWD

Police Sedan: Chevrolet Impala Police Edition

Prestige: Mercedes-Benz GL 550 

Wagon: Volkswagen Jetta S 

Wagon, Premium: Volvo V50 2.4i 

Utility Vehicles and Crossovers

Crossover, Compact, Mid Level: Toyota Rav4 Base 2WD 4cyl

Crossover, Compact, Premium: Volvo XC60 3.2 FWD

Crossover, Mid Size: Toyota Highlander Base 2WD 4cyl

Crossover, Mid Size, Premium: Cadillac SRX Base FWD

Crossover, Large: Ford Flex SE FWD

Crossover, Large, Premium: Lincoln MKT FWD

Crossover, Advanced Fuel Technology - Volkswagen Touareg TDI

SUV, Compact: Toyota FJ Cruiser 2WD

SUV, Mid Size: Toyota 4Runner SR5 2WD V6

SUV, Large: Chevrolet Tahoe Commercial 2WD

SUV, Large, Premium: GMC Yukon Denali 2WD

SUV, Premium, Advanced Fuel Technology: Mercedes-Benz ML350 BlueTec

Sport Utility Truck: Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2WD

Pickup Trucks

Compact Pickup: Toyota Tacoma Base Reg Cab 2WD

Full Size Pickup, 1/2 Ton: Chevrolet/GMC Silverado 1500/Sierra 1500 Work Truck Reg Cab 2WD 119

Full Size Heavy Duty Pickup, 3/4 Ton: Chevrolet/GMC Silverado 2500HD/Sierra 2500HD Work Truck Reg Cab 2WD

Full Size Heavy Duty Pickup, 1 Ton: Ford F350 XL Reg Cab 2WD SRW

Vans

Mini Van: Dodge Grand Caravan SE

Mini Commercial Van: Ford Transit Connect XL 

Full Size Cargo Van: Chevrolet Express G1500 Cargo SWB

Full Size Passenger Van: Ford E150 XL Wagon