The current global economic slowdown is proving that even the world’s top automotive brands aren’t immune to recessions, but the slowing economy is impacting more than just the sales charts. A new study reveals that the economic meltdown is greatly impacted the resale values of some of the world’s most exclusive luxury automobiles.
According to Parker’s car price guide, top-end automobiles are not weathering the current economic climate very well, with some models losing over half their value within the first year of ownership.
The biggest loser – in terms of dollars — on Parker’s list is the Maybach 62 S. At a depreciation rate of $500 per day, the Maybach 62S decreases in value by an astonishing $182,500 during its first year on the road – roughly 40 percent of the car’s as-new sticker price of $490,000.
Buyers opting for a more reasonably priced BMW 7-Series rather than a Maybach 62S will save a lot up front, but will actually lose a heftier percentage of the vehicle’s value after the first year – 51 percent to be exact. Buying a Mercedes-Benz S600 is a slightly better financial decision, with the big Mercedes losing ‘only’ 47 percent of its original value.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom Saloon fared the best of the luxury lot, with a net loss of $102,000 after the first year, or about 24 percent of the car’s original sticker price.
