SAN DIEGO – IntelliChoice.com, a provider of cost-of-ownership and value analysis and part of PRIMEDIA’s Automotive Digital Group, has announced the winners of the eighth annual ranking of certified pre-owned (CPO) manufacturer sponsored programs, according to the Web site, www.theautochannel.com.

Ending Jaguar’s five-year reign, Cadillac was selected as the best Luxury program and Volkswagen was recognized for the third straight year for best Non-Luxury program. The winners were honored at the 2006 National Remarketing Conference & Used Car Expo, in San Diego.

Certified Pre-Owned programs have secured their place alongside new- and used-vehicle sales as an integral part of the competitive auto market, and CPO vehicles will only play a larger role for consumers, dealers, and automakers, according to James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com.

“Right now it's all about available inventory,” Bell said. “Leasing lost some of its popularity three to four years ago, and the impact can be seen in the quantity of CPO vehicles on the market today. However, interest rates have climbed this year, and along with it, consumer interest in leasing, which will drive stronger CPO inventory in the years to come.”

Bell added that this year’s criteria for the CPO awards differed from last year’s, primarily to accommodate consumer demand for comprehensive warranty programs and strong vehicle value.

IntelliChoice.com estimates that 1.65 million CPO vehicles will be sold in 2006, equating to approximately 4 percent of this year’s total expected automotive sales, and up almost 4 percent from the CPO results of 2004. All major automakers now have a CPO program and IntelliChoice.com investigates and analyzes 30 different manufacturer programs.