IntelliChoice.com's Best Deals List for October Reveals an Auto Industry Maxed Out on Rebates

Business Wire, Oct 15, 2008

Volatile Monthly List of Best Car Deals Highlights Industry's Stress

CAMPBELL, Calif. -- IntelliChoice.com (www.intellichoice.com), the leading source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, and part of media and marketing services company Source Interlink Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SORC), today announced its "Best Deals of the Month" for October 2008 for all new cars, trucks, and sport utility vehicles. The monthly ranking shows continuing and aggressive rebates on vehicles, underscoring a state of desperation within the auto industry.

"Massive rebates are being offered on vehicles that were selling just fine on their own merits not long ago. This trend highlights severe hardship in the industry, and on October's list, the best examples are the Chrysler 300C, Toyota Tundra and Hummer H3," said James Bell, publisher and editor of IntelliChoice.com. "In terms of offering further rebates and deals, automakers are just about at their limit in what they can or will offer. With stiffer loan qualifications and fewer leasing options available, programs like Chrysler's that offer more cash on the hood in lieu of leasing, may be better for consumers in the long run, simply by reducing the overall load obligation. Dealers on the other hand, may still offer additional incentives just to move inventory, especially as the 2009 models are hitting the lots."

Bell noted that lately, IntelliChoice.com's list of Best Deals from month to month is seeing relatively high turnover due to constantly changing incentives -- which signals that buyers need to be on their toes. "In the small wagon class, the all-new 2009 Toyota Matrix is a better deal than September's winner, the Scion xB, on the strength of rebates. Additionally, the Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2WD won out over Ram 3500 Regular Cab 2WD based on a $4,500 rebate on the Ram 3500. They are relatively similar vehicles but the Quad Cab offers more incentives."

IntelliChoice.com's "Best Deals of the Month" identify new cars, trucks, and SUVs with the best ownership cost value in 33 respective classes. Selections are based on current car prices, market conditions and the lowest national manufacturer consumer new car rebate. In addition, IntelliChoice.com uses the latest information from numerous automotive resources to evaluate what it costs to buy, own and operate each new car model-year trim line over a five-year basis.

The following "Best Deals" for October 2008 are ranked by vehicle type and size.

Class                            <  <

Brand / Model
Subcompact Car                   <  <

MINI Cooper Hatchback
Compact Car over $17,000         <  <

Honda Civic Hybrid
Compact Car under $17,000        <  <

Toyota Corolla
Midsize Car over $21,000         <  <

Toyota Prius
Midsize Car under $21,000        <  <

Toyota Prius
Convertible                      <  <

MINI Cooper Convertible
Luxury Convertible               <  <

Audi A4 Convertible
Near Luxury Car                  <  <

Lexus ES
Luxury Car                       <  <

Infiniti M35
Large Car                        <  <

Hyundai Sonata
Base Sports Car                  <  <

Volkswagen R32
Sports Car                       <  <

Chevrolet Corvette Convertible
Sport Sedan/Wagon over $38,000   <  <

Lexus GS
Sport Sedan Wagon under $38,000  <  <

Chrysler 300 C
Compact SUV/Crossover            <  <

Ford Escape Hybrid
Midsize Crossover                <  <

Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Luxury Crossover                 <  <

Lexus RX 400h
Small Wagon                      <  <

Toyota Matrix
Midsize/Large Wagon              <  <

Subaru Outback Wagon
Intermediate SUV                 <  <

Hummer H3
Full-Size SUV                    <  <

Toyota Sequoia
Luxury SUV                       <  <

Hummer H2
Compact Pickup Truck 2WD         <  <

Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 2WD
Compact Pickup 4WD               <  <

Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab 4WD
Full-Size Pickup 2WD 1/2 Ton     <  <

1/2 Ton Toyota Tundra Regular Cab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup 2WD 3/4 Ton     <  <

3/4 Ton Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup 2WD One Ton     <  <

One Ton Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2WD
Full-Size Pickup 4WD 1/2 Ton     <  <

1/2 Ton Lincoln Mark LT 4WD
Full-Size Pickup 4WD 3/4 Ton     <  <

3/4 Ton Dodge Ram 2500 Regular Cab 4WD
Full-Size Pickup 4WD One Ton     <  <

One Ton Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 4WD
Minivan                          <  <

Toyota Sienna
Full-Size Van                    <  <

Chevrolet Express 1500 Passenger Van
Cargo Van                        <  <

Chevrolet Express 1500 Cargo Van

IntelliChoice.com Helps Consumers Do Their Homework

IntelliChoice.com updates vehicle data several times a month in order to capture the many expiring auto rebates and ongoing incentive programs offered by manufacturers--giving consumers the most up-to-date analysis.

IntelliChoice.com's "Best Deals" designation enables consumers to identify how car rebates affect a vehicle's value throughout ownership and not just at the time of purchase. Ownership costs can vary significantly among different trim lines of the same model. Additionally, IntelliChoice.com continuously updates fuel costs based on the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.