SANTA BARBARA, CA – Automotive Lease Guide´s (ALG) annual Residual Value Awards honor those vehicles in each automotive segment predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price. This year´s awards are based on 2005-model year vehicles. For the third year, ALG has also included awards for the brand with the highest predicted resale value of all industry and luxury vehicles. The awards are derived after careful study of segment competition, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Award winners are featured on ALG.com, The Wall Street Journal, Automotive News, and other automotive Web sites.

For the second consecutive year, American Honda Motor Company, Inc. heads the list with the Honda Brand winning the Industry Brand Residual Value Award. Honda also received two individual segment awards: the Odyssey for the Minivan Segment and the CR-V for the Compact SUV Segment. This is the fourth win for both the Honda Odyssey and CR-V.

BMW of North America, LLC has once again made a strong showing by winning the Luxury Brand Residual Value Award for the second consecutive year. MINI USA, a division of BMW of North America, has won the Compact Car Segment for the MINI Cooper for the third time.

Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. continued a strong tradition in the Residual Value Awards winning four individual segment awards: the Tacoma for the Compact Truck Segment, Sequoia for the Full-size SUV Segment, 4Runner for the Mid-size SUV Segment, and the Tundra for the Full-size Truck Segment. This is the fourth consecutive win for the Toyota Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia; and the second consecutive win for the 4Runner.

Mercedes-Benz USA LLC is the winner of this year´s Sports Car Segment for the SLK and the CLK has won the Luxury Segment award for the fourth time.

Nissan North America Inc. has won the Mid-size Car Segment award for the Altima. Infiniti, a division of Nissan North America Inc., takes home the Near Luxury Car Segment award for the G35.

And last but not least, the CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) award goes to Volvo Cars of North America Inc. for the XC90.

"In an era of heavy incentives and discounts, Residual Value excellence becomes more difficult to achieve," said John Blair, Automotive Lease Guide´s chief executive officer. "Both the segment and brand winners clearly demonstrate that quality products combined with effective pricing strategies will rise to the top of the charts. The gaps have tightened in all award categories showing the importance manufacturers are placing on retained value as a long-term objective."