HERNDON, Va.—Volkswagen of America, Inc. announced today that the 2009 Rabbit has been awarded a "2009 Best Resale Value: Top 10" by Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com). This marks the second year in a row that the Rabbit has earned a Best Resale Value Award from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.
"We are proud to have our Rabbit recognized again as a great long-term value to consumers," said Mark Barnes, COO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "Strong resale values are one of the most reliable measures of consumer confidence in any brand and we are excited that the Rabbit has once again been recognized as a market leader."
Each year Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com announces the vehicles that will best retain their value over a five-year period based on the Kelley Blue Book Official Residual Value Guide. The Kelley Blue Book Best Resale Value Awards were formally presented today at an event during the Los Angeles Auto Show media preview week.
"For more than half a century, Volkswagen has earned a strong reputation as a reliable used car, and the Rabbit adds to that tradition," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "In these days of high fuel prices, it offers good economy combined with a Euro-style fun-to-drive nature that is unique in the segment. All of that translates into stellar resale value."
Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also named the Volkswagen Rabbit one of the "2008 Coolest New Cars Under $18,000," and a "2008 Top 10 New Back-to-School Car." The Rabbit was recognized as a vehicle that demonstrates tremendous value in regards to affordability, reliability, safety, practicality and fuel economy.
"Especially in today's tough market and difficult economy, consumers really need to take a hard look at the projected resale value of a car when choosing their next vehicle purchase," said Nerad. "Choosing makes, models and options wisely now can help new-car shoppers keep additional money in their pocket down the road when they go to sell or trade-in the vehicle."
About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. – 2008 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, car reviews and news, used car blue book values, auto classifieds and car dealer locations. No other medium reaches more in-market vehicle shoppers than kbb.com.
About Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Founded in 1955, Volkswagen of American, Inc. is headquartered in Herndon, Virginia. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest producers of passenger cars and Europe's largest automaker. Volkswagen sells the Eos, Rabbit, New Beetle, New Beetle Convertible, GTI, Jetta, Jetta SportWagen, GLI, Passat, Passat wagon, CC, Tiguan, Touareg 2, and Routan through approximately 600 independent U.S. dealers. All 2009 Volkswagens come standard-equipped with Electronic Stabilization Program. This is important because the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has called ESC the most effective new vehicle safety technology since the safety belt. Visit Volkswagen of America online at vw.com or www.media.vw.com to learn more.
