IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 17, 2014 / PRNewswire / -- The 2015 Mazda3 today received a Residual Value Award for the Compact Car Segment by ALG, making it the second straight year Mazda3 has won the award and third since 2010. ALG, the analytics division of TrueCar, Inc., is the industry benchmark for projecting future vehicle values and depreciation data. The annual ALG Residual Value Awards honor the vehicles and brands that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their original price after a conventional three-year period. "We are honored that Mazda3 has been recognized by ALG for the second year in a row," said Jim O'Sullivan, president and CEO, Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "It is a true testament of the quality, dependability, reliability and value of the Mazda3, which has only made this segment leader stronger and customers have spoken by making it the best-selling Mazda vehicle." ALG recognizes 26 vehicles with segment awards, along with two brands presenting the Mainstream and Premium sectors of the industry. This year's awards are based on 2015 year vehicles. "Mazda kept the 2015 pricing flat on the Mazda3, allowing it to remain one of the best values in the Compact segment, and earn its second straight Residual Value Award," said Larry Dominique, President of ALG. "Not only that, but the Mazda3 is one of the best all-around vehicles in the Compact segment." Previous ALG Residual Value Awards winners for Mazda were the 2014 Mazda3 (Compact Car), 2012 Mazdaspeed3 (Sporty Car), 2011 CX-9 (Mid-Size Utility) and 2010 Mazda3 (Compact Car). Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand, and pricing and marketing strategies represent key factors that impact ALG's residual value forecasts. Starting at $16,945, the 2015 Mazda3 includes an array of new standard features and package content such as the manual transmission option for the more powerful SKYACTIV-G 2.5L. Touting exceptional styling and an impressive 41 mpg highway, the 2015 Mazda3 is also incredibly fun to drive. Similar to its new-generation SKYACTIV ® Technology and KODO "Soul of Motion"-designed brethren such as the CX-5 compact SUV and Mazda6 mid-size sedan, Mazda's compact car has earned itself critical acclaim by topping "Best Car" lists and receiving "Car of the Year" nods. Mazda3 also saw the introduction of another game-changing Mazda-developed technology known as MAZDA CONNECT™. A next-generation in-vehicle connectivity system, MAZDA CONNECT's seven-inch full-color touchscreen hub will make its way into the rest of the brand's full lineup. Based on the heads-up cockpit concept, this new Human Machine Interface (HMI) system aims to aid drivers in maintaining a proper driving posture, keep a concentrated focus on the road ahead and promoting safer habits while behind the wheel. For more information, visit www.mazdausamedia.com. About Mazda North American Operations Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through nearly 700 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City. For more information on Mazda vehicles, including photography and B-roll, please visit the online Mazda media center at www.mazdausamedia.com. About ALG Founded in 1964 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, with an office in Toronto, Ontario, ALG is an authority on automotive residual value projections in North America. By analyzing nearly 2,500 vehicle trims each year to assess residual value – which is mainly driven by used car inventory, brand strength, macroeconomic conditions, incentive spending and pricing – ALG provides auto industry and financial services clients with resale insights, forecasts and consulting services about the future vehicle marketplace. ALG, owned by TrueCar, Inc., the negotiation-free car buying and selling platform, has been publishing residual values for all cars, trucks and SUVs in the U.S. for 50 years and in Canada since 1981. For more information, visit www.alg.com. About TrueCar TrueCar, Inc. (NASDAQ: TRUE) is the negotiation-free car buying and selling platform. TrueCar enables a negotiation-free car buying experience by giving buyers transparent insight into what others actually paid (price confidence), upfront pricing information (price discovery), and access to a network of trusted TrueCar Certified Dealers who provide guaranteed savings certificates and seamlessly complete the car purchase. The reality is that buying a car is painful and buyers fear they are going to overpay or be surprised with hidden fees. TrueCar's transparent upfront pricing information makes the car buying process simple so there are no surprises and buyers never overpay. TrueCar's mission is to make car buying simple, fair and fun. Its national network of more than 9,000 TrueCar Certified Dealers, including both new car franchise dealers and non-franchise dealers, is committed to providing negotiation-free savings off MSRP and upfront pricing information for all car-buyers, including members of some of the country's largest membership and service organizations such as AARP, American Express, AAA, and USAA. Note: Not all program features are available in all states. Go to www.truecar.com for program details. TrueCar is headquartered in Santa Monica, Calif., with offices in Santa Barbara, Calif., San Francisco, Calif., and Austin, Texas. SOURCE Mazda North American Operations For further information: Eric Booth, Mazda North American Operations, +1-949-727-6144 or David Gordon, Mazda Information Bureau, +1-714-913-9943
