Values of Discontinued Vehicles Can Surge at Auction
As an example of this analysis, Black Book data shows that the Toyota FJ Cruiser, whose last model-year was 2014, has actually gone up in value by 25.7% compared to other vehicles that were listed in its segment.

As an example of this analysis, Black Book data shows that the Toyota FJ Cruiser, whose last model-year was 2014, has actually gone up in value by 25.7% compared to other vehicles that were listed in its segment.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Black Book has released a new analytics-driven report that looks at why certain vehicle models were discontinued over the last several years and how they’ve retained their values.
Analysts noted that some car and truck models, despite their popularity, are discontinued simply because manufacturers move production strategies in a new direction. Such models appear to retain their values better than their segment average, while others see retention values plummet. Black Book conducted an analysis that includes a mix of small and midsize cars, trucks, SUVs, and minivans. Their discontinuation dates vary over the last few decades, and the reasons for their discontinuation are as diverse as the vehicles themselves.
As an example of this analysis, Black Book data shows that the Toyota FJ Cruiser, whose last model-year was 2014, has actually gone up in value by 25.7% compared to other vehicles that were listed in its segment. The Hummer H2 is second-best in retention at 18.5%.
The FJ Cruiser was acclaimed for its off-road performance and known for its quirky combination of a wide stance and short wheelbase. In 2014, the FJ Cruiser’s last model-year of production, it sold only about 14,000 units. Given the uniqueness of this vehicle and the relative high demand from enthusiasts, it became a modern collectible. The change in three-year retention for FJ Cruisers was a whopping 26% better than the average for the midsize SUV/CUV segment.
Conversely, the Mazda MPV minivan, last produced in 2006, has lost 15.8% of its value compared to other vehicles in its segment, and the Mercury Milan has lost 9.5% compared to others in its segment since it was discontinued in 2011.
To view the complete analysis, click here.
This story originally appeared on F&I and Showroom, a companion Bobit Business Media publication.
Related: June Depreciation Reaches 5-Year Low
More Used Vehicle Values

What Happens When Residual Values Meet Real-World Markets
A truck's trade value isn't determined on turn-in day. Learn how market cycles, maintenance, and timing shape the gap between residuals and reality.
Read More →
Manheim Index Shows Used-Vehicle Wholesale Prices Up 2.1% in June
The market is seeing stronger appreciation in older used vehicles this year, and the most affordable segments have been among the year’s best performers.
Read More →
Stop Remarketing Electric Vehicles Like Gas Cars
The advantages and attributes of electric vehicles are upending the traditional remarketing cycle, requiring fleet sellers to rely on new factors and approaches detailed below.
Read More →
Used Vehicle Prices Climb Higher As Sales Pace Slows
The higher prices at used retail reflect strong wholesale values earlier in the spring, particularly for older, more affordable vehicles.
Read More →
Wholesale Used Vehicle Market Sustains Moderate Rise In Values, Prices
Trends continue to normalize after a strong start to the year, as consumers contend with higher gas prices in the coming summer months.
Read More →
Used EV Sales Grow In April
While EV sales declined, used EV sales grew, as tighter inventory and rising prices reflected a more normalized pace for the EV market.
Read More →
Wholesale Used Vehicle Prices Slightly Up In April
The Iranian conflict and rising gas prices inject much uncertainty into the future wholesale used vehicle markets, as higher gas prices soak up spendable income from vehicle buyers.
Read More →
CAR 2026 Recap Part 2: Closing the Gap Between Data & Remarketing Value
The second half of CAR 2026 examined how fleets can translate lifecycle strategy, vehicle data, and market shifts into higher real-world results.
Read More →
CAR2026 in Two Words: Velocity, Value (Part 1)
The 2026 Conference of Automotive Remarketing convened with a mandate to involve a new constituency — fleet managers — and an updated mission to demonstrate unrealized value in de-fleeted vehicles.
Read More →
March Used Vehicle Inventory Falls To Lowest Since 2019
Franchised and independent dealers had a total of 1.95 million used vehicles in stock in March, the lowest on record in the current data set.
Read More →