BINGHAM FARMS, Mich. -

Vincentric unveiled its sixth annual Best Fleet Value in America Awards for units from the 2011 model year. The automakers claiming the most honors often duel it out for top monthly sales performances.

Award orchestrators gave 10 awards to Toyota, while they gave nine to General Motors. Ford claimed five accolades, and Volvo, Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan and Hyundai also were all well represented.

To determine Vincentric’s Best Fleet Value in America Awards, the company explained that it used a comprehensive analysis of fleet life cycle costs to identify the best fleet values in the industry. Vincentric indicated that it measured eight cost factors for more than 2,400 vehicle configurations in the 2011 model-year with 20 different mileage/life cycle time frame scenarios used in each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia.

Officials noted the resulting 19 million life cycle cost measurements were then reviewed to determine the winning vehicles.

The eight cost factors that determined overall life cycle costs were depreciation, fuel, insurance, opportunity cost, financing, maintenance, taxes and state fees, and repairs Those costs were integrated with the Vincentric Fleet Price, which estimates the acquisition cost for each vehicle in the study.

“When organizations evaluate the best vehicles for their fleet, understanding life cycle costs is a key part of that decision-making process,” stated David Wurster, president of Vincentric.

“Fleet operators can use the Vincentric award results to fine-tune their selection and be confident that these vehicles provide value to fleet buyers,” Wurster added.

The winners of Vincentric’s Best Fleet Value in America Awards for the 2011 model year are:

Passenger Cars

—Subcompact: Toyota Yaris 5D Hatchback
—Compact, Hatchback: Toyota Prius I
—Compact, Sedan: Nissan Versa Base
—Compact, Premium:  Audi A3 Diesel 2.0T Premium TDI
—Midsize Sedan: Toyota Camry Base
—Midsize, Sedan, Premium: Audi A4 2.0T Premium  
—Midsize Sedan, Hybrid: Toyota Camry Hybrid
—Large: Ford Taurus SE
—Large, Premium: Audi A6 3.2 Premium CVT FrontTrak
—Wagon: Volkswagen Jetta S
—Wagon, Premium: Volvo V50 T5 FWD

SUVs and CUVs                

—Crossover, Compact, Entry Level: Hyundai Tucson, GL FWD
—Crossover, Compact, Mid Level: Toyota Rav4 Base 2WD 4cyl
—Crossover, Compact, Premium: Volvo XC 60 3.2 FWD
—Crossover, Midsize: Toyota Venza FWD 4cyl
—Crossover, Midsize, Premium: Cadillac SRX Base FWD
—Crossover, Large: Ford Flex SE FWD
—Crossover, Large, Premium: Lincoln MKT FWD
—Crossover, Hybrid: Ford Escape Hybrid FWD
—SUV, Compact: Toyota FJ Cruiser 2WD
—SUV, Midsize: Toyota 4Runner SR5 2WD V6
—SUV, Large: Chevrolet Tahoe Commercial 2WD
—SUV, Large, Premium: Mercedes-Benz GL450
—Prestige: Cadillac Escalade ESV Platinum 2WD
—Sport Utility Truck: Chevrolet Avalanche LS 2WD

Pickups     

—Compact Pickup: Toyota Tacoma Base Reg Cab 2WD
—Full-size Pickup, 1/2 Ton: Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Work Truck Reg Cab 2WD 119
—Full-size Pickup, Heavy Duty 3/4 Ton: Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD LT Reg Cab 2WD
—Full-size Pickup, Heavy Duty 1 Ton: Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD LT Reg Cab 2WD SRW

Vans         

—Minivan: Toyota Sienna Base FWD 4cyl
—Mini Commercial Van: Ford Transit Connect XL
—Full-size Cargo Van: Chevrolet Express Cargo G1500 Cargo SWB
—Full-size Passenger Van: Chevrolet Express G1500 SWB