Wholesale Prices Finish Strong in June

Wholesale market prices were strong for the last week of June, and were maintained by federal stimulus, together with still limited used-vehicle inventory.

Volume-weighted, overall car and truck segments both showed gains for the fifth week in a row, increasing 1.43% overall – the highest weekly appreciation in recent history, according to Black Book. As for specifics, the overall car segments increased by 1.91% (compared to 1.54% the prior week) and the overall trucks and SUV segments increased again this past week at 1.15% (compared to 1.11% the prior week). 

Although prices have remained strong over the last several weeks (and reached pre-COVID-19 heights during the last week), on a year-over-year basis, prices are still below 2019 levels. 

A deeper dive into the data reveals that raw prices are indeed higher this year, but the mix of vehicles in the marketplace is different: this year Black Book saw cleaner vehicles with significantly lower mileage hitting the wholesale market. When adjusted for condition and mileage, June’s prices are about 3% below 2019. 

Meanwhile, auction sales volume returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, with most auctions still operating in a digital only environment.