Volvo, Volkswagen and MINI Ranked Highest on Overall Value

Kia is The Biggest Mover While GM Brands Maintain Foothold in Top Ranks

Las Vegas, NV–November 3, 2009–IntelliChoice.com, the leading provider of automotive cost and value analysis and part of Source Interlink Media, today announced the winners of its 11th annual ranking of Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) manufacturer-sponsored programs at the 2010 National Remarketing Conference & Used Car Expo, in Las Vegas. For the third straight year, Volvo took the top ranking among Luxury manufacturers, while Volkswagen and Mini are tied for the second year for the best Non-Luxury programs. IntelliChoice.com issues the industry’s only report card for Certified Pre-Owned vehicles and many OEMs have developed their programs using the IntelliChoice.com inspection and ranking criteria as benchmarks.

The biggest mover this year is Kia, which broke into the top five Non-Luxury programs for the first time ever, based on a dramatic jump in its Brand Value score. GM also holds steady with three of its brands in the top five overall best Luxury programs: Saab (2), Cadillac (3) and Hummer (5).

“Volvo, Mini, and Volkswagen continue to dominate the rankings with a focus on consistency and quality in their programs,” said Eric Anderson, senior analyst, Intellichoice.com. “We are very impressed with the improvement Kia has made with a relatively new program. Kia now joins Hyundai in the top five Non-Luxury programs and demonstrates a strong and aggressive push from the Korean manufacturers to strengthen their brands in the U.S.”

Anderson continued “While the CPO market has seen both gainers and losers over the past twelve months, CPOs are showing slower sales declines versus new car sales. GM brands represent 24 percent of all CPOs sold in the US–and the rankings show they take the CPO programs seriously. These programs allow buyers looking for value to buy a great car without taking the hit on depreciation from day one.”

IntelliChoice.com 2010 CPO Winners

IntelliChoice.com investigates and analyzes 32 manufacturer programs. Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles (CPOs) are cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles that have come off lease or have been resold to dealers, and have been thoroughly inspected prior to sale. IntelliChoice.com’s Best Certified Pre-Owned Awards are presented in two major classes: Luxury and Non-Luxury. The following breaks out the top vehicles in each category and the three most important sub-categories:

Luxury Brand:

Overall Winner: Volvo

Best Warranty: Porsche

100% Inspection Score: Audi, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo

Strongest Brand Value: Saab

Ranking:

Manufacturer Ranking:
1 Volvo
2 Saab
3 Cadillac
4 Jaguar
5 Hummer
Audi
Lincoln

“CPO programs rely on inventory. The recent decline in the market has provided a flood of choice. Many manufacturers are offering incentives on CPOs and that is making a big difference for the consumer,” said Anderson.

Methodology

IntelliChoice.com initiated its Certified Pre-Owned awards program ten years ago to address the significant growth of the CPO offering and consumer demand for comprehensive analysis. Programs are rated on a set of eight criteria that consumers identify as having the most value:

Extended manufacturer warranties
Title verification
Certification inspection process
Roadside assistance–Special financing
Return exchange policies
Program/dealer compliance
Brand value

About IntelliChoice.com and Source Interlink Companies, Inc.

IntelliChoice.com, part of Source Interlink Media, LLC., is the market leader in automotive ownership cost and car values analysis. Founded in 1986, IntelliChoice.com is committed to empowering consumers to make better purchase decisions by providing independent and essential automotive information and tools. Through the IntelliChoice.com web site (www.intellichoice.com), consumers get the help they need to research, compare, configure and price new cars. The site also connects buyers to the buying alternatives of their choice, including vehicle manufacturers and an online car buying guide. Source Interlink Media LLC is a subsidiary of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., a recognized provider of targeted media and marketing services, a leading U.S. distributor of home entertainment products and services and one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences.

****One Lucky Listener to Drive Away with a 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid***

New York, (NYSE: CCU) – Z100, New York’s Hit Music Station, and Ramsey Auto Group will host the Z100 Pay Your Bills Grand Prize Party on Saturday, December 22nd from 9:30am-1pm at Ramsey Nissan, 401 Route 17 South, Upper Saddle River, NJ. The event is the culmination of one of the largest Z100 contests, with thousands of dollars awarded up to 350 winners since September 2007.

Danielle Monaro of Elvis Duran and the Z Morning Zoo will be on site to host the event along with the Z Party Patrol cheering the crowd. Each ZVIP will be given a key on site to open the Grand Prize – 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid, courtesy of Ramsey Auto Group, and a year free of gas. Additionally, anyone who shows up on site that day will be entered into a special “Last Chance” drawing for the final key. Registration will take place from 9:30am-11:30am.

Z100 Pay Your Bills contest originated September 2005. Now in its third year, it has become the largest single contest at the station. Since September 2007, up to 350 winners have had a bill paid by Z100. Listeners submitted bills (up top $1000) and listened for their name to be announced at 7am, 11am, 1pm, 5pm, and 7pm. They had 30 minutes to call back to have their bills paid. Pay Your Bills Winners that were ZVIP members automatically qualified for a chance to win the Grand Prize which will be awarded on December 22nd.

For up-to-minute information, listen to Z100, New York’s Hit Music Station, or log on to www.z100.com keyword: Bills

Ramsey Auto Group is excited and honored to be a part of Ramsey’s 100th Birthday Celebration. The town of Ramsey has been a part of the Ramsey Auto Group family for many years. Founded by Ray Van Duren, Ramsey Auto Group is a family run company that has been in operation for over 40 yrs. Ray attended Ramsey High School and their entire family is deeply rooted in Bergen County. He opened up the first dealership in 1968 on Route 17 in Ramsey and the company has expanded over the years into 10 successful dealerships in Bergen County.

A staple in the community, Ramsey Auto Group has donated over $1 million in goods and services to local organizations and events, such as the Ramsey Police Dept, Ramsey Day, Ramsey Summer Concert Series, the Bergen Bike Tour, local food and clothing donations and more. The group has been supporting their family and friends in the town of Ramsey for years and in turn, the community continues to support Ramsey Auto Group.

Ramsey Auto Group is a leading automotive retailer in New Jersey for new and pre-owned vehicles. Current dealerships include Ramsey Volvo, Ramsey Subaru, Ramsey Nissan, Ramsey Infiniti, Parkfield Saab, Ramsey Mazda, Ramsey Chrysler Jeep, Ramsey Pontiac GMC, Ramsey Mitsubishi, and Maywood Mitsubishi.

With 10 locations in the northern New Jersey area and over 400 employees, Ramsey Auto Group strives to provide the highest level of customer service through knowledgeable and helpful sales representatives, as well as service and parts personnel. Ramsey Auto Group dealerships have been honored with several outstanding achievements, such as the coveted Global NSSW Award, which honors dealerships that achieve and maintain the highest standards of performance in customer satisfaction globally.

For your convenience, their website lists the latest specials and deals for the month, as well as the most up-to-date listing of new and pre-owned inventory! Please visit RamseyCars.com for more details on the group and a listing of all 10 of their locations in the area.

HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY, RAMSEY!