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DETROIT — Executives from General Motors have been delighted with the performance of the 2010 Cadillac SRX since its debut last year. They contend the vehicle now has posted the largest gains in the midsize luxury crossovers for both sales and projected resale value.

The automaker asserted total U.S. sales for the SRX through May have risen almost 500 percent compared to the first five months of last year. The manufacturer explained that means this unit is outselling the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Acura MDX.

GM also mentioned the average transaction price for the new SRX is more than $2,300 higher than the previous model.

Along with the sales and transaction price increases, executives also emphasized SRX's projected resale value has risen 17 percentage points in the past year. They insist that's the largest gain in the segment.

The manufacturer believes SRX's projected resale value after 36 months is 48 percent of the initial purchase price. The company compared that figure to 31 percent for the previous model based on the May/June forecast by ALG, an industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data.

"Cadillac has done all the right things to support higher residual values for the SRX," explained Matt Traylen, ALG's chief economist.

"The all new 2010 model is substantially improved, but was launched with a significantly reduced MSRP," Traylen continued.

"This resulted in record low incentive spending for the SRX, lower reliance on fleet sales, a quicker turn time on dealer lots and ultimately a positive impact on brand value," he added.

Kurt McNeil, vice president of Cadillac sales, contends SRX demand has remained strong since last summer. McNeil pointed out the "2010 SRX delivered bold design to the fast-growing midsize luxury crossover segment.

"Residual value is a key indicator of the strength of the new SRX," he also interjected.

"SRX has succeeded by offering distinctive styling, great handling and a host of features that help it stand out in the luxury crossover crowd," McNeil went on to say.

GM reiterated the Cadillac SRX is available in all-wheel and front-wheel drive versions with either a 3.0L direct injected V-6 engine or an optional 2.8L turbocharged V-6. Other available features are cargo management system, pop-up navigation screen, adaptive forward lighting that swivels the headlamps in synch with vehicle steering, integrated hard drive for audio storage and pause-and-replay radio and a dual-screen system for rear entertainment.