25th July 2008 8:46 am

Automobile Consumer Services, Inc. (ACS), the leader in online direct-to-consumer auto leasing, released a list of the top 10 most requested vehicles from its popular auto leasing website http://www.LeaseCompare.com . Information was collected during the  first half of 2008 from more than three million lease quote requests.

“We have seen a huge increase in requests for hybrid models with the Toyota Prius up over 500% from the last half of 2007,” says Tarry Shebesta, President of ACS and a certified lease consultant. “And, for the first time, used hybrid demand is increasing because of the waiting list for many of the new models.”
The Top 10 Most Requested Models

New Car Rankings

1st Half    2nd Half
2008        2007    Make & Model
1           10      Mini Cooper
2           4       Honda Accord (h)
3           1       Chevrolet Corvette
4           4       Toyota Camry (h)
5           6       Honda Civic (h)
6           nl*     BMW M3
7           7       BMW 328
8           nl*     Toyota Prius Hybrid
9           10      Nissan Altima (h)
10          nl*     Honda CR-V

Used Car Rankings

1st Half    2nd Half
2008        2007    Make & Model
1           1       Chevrolet Corvette
2           2       Porsche 911
3           7       Infiniti G35
4           5       Honda Civic (h)
5           4       Audi A4
6           nl*     Mini Cooper
7           9       Honda Accord (h)
8           3       BMW M3
9           nl*     BMW 328
10          nl*     Nissan Altima (h)

nl* = not previously listed
(h) = hybrid available for this model

“High fuel prices are helping to drive demand in hybrid vehicles,” comments Shebesta. “Additionally, smart people realize that leasing, not buying, hybrids make sense, especially right now. With the improvements in technology coming out every year, they know that they can turn in thehybrid at lease-end, and not have to worry about selling a car with out-dated technology.”

Shebesta also notes that, “Leasing protects consumers from fluctuating fuel prices as witnessed by the current drop in values of the pre-owned SUV market. Those who leased are simply walking away at the end of their term and leasing a more fuel efficient vehicle.”

Other Related Stories That May Be Of Interest:

1. Hybrid Electric Vehicles Get Major Boost
2. Toyota to Build Prius in America
3. Hyundai Gains Nine Percent in Global Brand Value
4. BMW 3 Series voted most reliable car in the UK
5. Toyota Offers Bluetooth Hands-Free System on 15 Models