ATLANTA – Wholesale used-vehicle prices (mix, mileage, and seasonally adjusted) rose marginally in January after posting a strong 4.7-percent gain in the fourth quarter of 2005. The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index now stands at 116.3, representing a gain of 0.2 percent for the month, 6.9 percent for the past year, and 13.6 percent from the cyclical trough that occurred in April of 2003, according to Tom Webb, chief economist, Manheim.

“We believe that January’s rise was a result of continued strong performance in the key factors that drive the retail used-vehicle market. And, we also believe that the magnitude of January’s gain was kept in check by the fact that early gains had already rectified any imbalance in the relationship between new- and used-vehicle pricing,” said Webb.