Wholesale Prices Resume Softening

According to ADESA Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of Wholesale Used Vehicle Prices by Vehicle Model Class¹, wholesale used-vehicle prices in September averaged $9,496, – down 1.4 percent compared to August and 0.6 percent relative to September 2012. Minivan and full-size van prices rebounded after undergoing price declines earlier this year. Full-size pickups are showing price strength on a year-over-year basis, as construction improves.

Prices for used vehicles remarketed by manufacturers were down 5.2 percent month-over-month, but up 8.7 percent year-over-year, reflecting solid performance of “factory” sales of off-rental program vehicles. Prices for fleet/lease consignors were down 2.2 percent sequentially, but up 2.2-percent annually, in part as a result of higher sales prices for “risk” units sold by rental companies. Dealer consignors, primarily selling older units, saw a 4-percent average price decrease versus August 2013, and a 3.3-percent downturn versus September 2012.

Based on data from CNW Marketing/Research, retail used vehicle sales were down 10.4 percent month-over-month and 1.3 percent on a year-over year basis in September. Sales of certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles were down 21.6 percent from the prior month with five fewer selling days, based on figures from Autodata.

¹The analysis is based on nearly six million annual sales transactions from over 150 of the largest U.S. wholesale auto auctions, including those of ADESA as well as other auction companies. ADESA Analytical Services segregates these transactions to study trends by vehicle model class.

The views and analysis provided herein relate to the vehicle remarketing industry as a whole and may not relate directly to KAR Auction Services, Inc. The views and analysis are not the views of KAR Auction Services, its management or its subsidiaries; and their accuracy is not warranted. The statements contained in this report and statements that the company may make orally in connection with this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as “should,” “may,” “will,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “bode”, “promises”, “likely to” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include those matters disclosed in the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings. The company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.