ATLANTA – Wholesale used-vehicle prices (on a mix, mileage, and seasonally adjusted basis) increased for the third consecutive month in December, reported Tom Webb, chief economist, Manheim.

The Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index stood at 113.5 in December, representing a seasonally adjusted gain of 0.5 percent for the month, but a decline of 2.2 percent from the strong wholesale pricing environment that existed in December of 2005.

Wholesale prices started 2006 at a cyclical high, so even though the Index declined during much of the year, the annual average wholesale price for 2006 was 1.6-percent higher than 2005. A review of the economic landscape and industry factors suggest a continuation of solid remarketing performance in early 2007.