Ford Vehicles Have Higher Resale Value

American manufacturer Ford recently announced the resale value of its newer vehicles rose 23 percent in the past year, while at the same time the carmaker brags that warranty repair rates on Ford vehicles have declined by an average of more than 40 percent globally in the past three years.

"Wholesale price performance was extremely strong throughout 2009, and during this period Ford, Lincoln and Mercury products matched or exceeded the performance of the overall market," said Tom Webb, chief economist at Manheim Consulting.

Ford says that on average, the redesigned 2010 Ford Taurus is selling 50 percent higher at auction than the 2009 Taurus after one year in service. Similarly, the 2010 Ford Fusion V-6 got 26 percent more at auction than the 2009 model after one year in service.

"Wholesale used vehicle prices have generally been firming over the last year and a half; however, the price performance of Ford products has generally exceeded that of the market as a whole," said Tom Kontos, executive vice president, Customer Strategies and Analytics, ADESA Analytical Services, which is a used vehicle auction network.

The carmaker says Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles' initial quality in the U.S. has improved for five straight years, which means fewer trips to the dealership for repairs for Ford customers.

"We are operating with a truly dedicated discipline to quality," said Bennie Fowler, Ford group vice president, Global Quality. "The results are paying off for our customers with fewer trips to the dealership and a higher satisfaction with the Ford, Lincoln or Mercury product they purchase."