As it seems with most things in the automotive world these days, foreign carmakers dominate the domestics when it comes to resale value, according to a recent Kelley Blue Book study.
In fact, even as the Big Three lay claim to more than half the U.S. market, only one car built by an American manufacturer -- the 2006 Chevy Corvette -- made this year's list of the Top 10 vehicles in terms of best resale value.
The survey covers the new crop of 2006 models, excluding low-volume vehicles and those carrying a price tag of more than $60,000.
The average vehicle, Kelley Blue Book said, retains only about 35% of its original value after five years. The cars garnering kudos on this list keep closer to 50% of their initial purchase price.
BMW conquered the top overall brand spot by "remaining true to its heritage and maintaining a strict family resemblance in all of its vehicle offerings." The German automaker's kitschy offspring, the Mini Cooper, managed to share the limelight, tying its parent.
On a model basis, the Toyota (TM) Prius, the red-hot hybrid with a tendency to sell above its sticker price, and the Honda (HMC) Accord hybrid, which pairs fuel economy with improved performance, both broke into the Top 10.
As for SUVs, which have endured a brutal sales run with gas prices bursting through historic highs, the Volvo XC90, the Porsche Cayenne and the Lexus GX 470 all made the grade.
For the sedans, the Infiniti M45 joined the BMW 5-Series while the Infiniti G35 coupe was side by side with the Corvette.
The Toyota Tacoma PreRunner topped the pickup category while the Subaru Outback stood out among wagons. The Honda Odyssey grabbed the top spot in the minivan group.
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