The Ford F-150 XL and F-350 Super Duty XL were among a group of five Ford Motor Company vehicles to win 2018 “Best Fleet Value” awards from automotive market research firm Vincentric, in recognition of their low cost to fleet operators. The awards, which are given out annually, consider eight major areas of expense – financing, fueling, maintenance, repairs, insurance, fees and taxes, depreciation, and opportunity cost – and analyze 28 different life cycle cost scenarios to yield an accurate picture of each vehicle’s true total average cost.
The Ford F-150 XL, which is a six-time winner in the full-size half-ton pickup category, and the F-350 Super Duty XL, a three-time one-ton pickup winner, were joined by three other Ford-brand vehicles popular with fleet operators. The Ford Transit 150 XL low-roof passenger van won its fourth award in the full-size half-ton passenger van category, while the Transit 150 medium-roof cargo van took home its second full-size half-ton cargo van, and the Taurus SE won its eighth Best Fleet Value award in the large sedan category.
Like last year, both the MKZ Hybrid and MKX Premiere won Best Fleet Value awards in the luxury hybrid and luxury mid-size SUV categories, respectively. That’s despite the fact that Lincoln has been deliberately, quietly cutting its sales to rental fleets and certain other businesses in an attempt to boost residuals and solidify its standing in the luxury market.
Fleet cars “come back in six to twelve months,” Lincoln Director of Marketing, Sales and Service Robert Parker explained at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. “That’s problematic on our residual values because that’s when all the depreciation occurs. The longer they stay out, the better.”
For the full list of winners from Vincentric, click here.
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