Demand Quickly Backing Away from Cars, Pushing Average New-Car Transaction Prices Up for July 2018, According to Kelley Blue Book

Staff Report

Wednesday, August 8th, 2018

The analysts at Kelley Blue Book reported the estimated average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $35,359 in July 2018. New-vehicle prices increased by $985 (up 2.9 percent) from July 2017, while decreasing (down 0.4 percent) from last month.   

"Average transaction prices rose 3 percent year-over-year, thanks to market demand quickly backing away from cars," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "Cars are expected to make up only 31 percent of July sales, down from 36 percent just one year ago, which is pushing transaction prices up as consumers opt for pricier SUVs and trucks. Prices also are likely to strengthen as the average days in inventory has begun to recede for the first time this decade, which is a sign automakers are managing production well in the post-peak demand era."

Manufacturer

July

 2018

Transaction

Price (Avg.)*

June

2018

Transaction

Price (Avg.)*

July

2017 Transaction

Price (Avg.)*

Percent

Change

June

2018 to

July

2018*

Percent

Change

July

2017 to

July

2018*

American Honda (Acura, Honda)

$28,179

$28,413

$27,346

-0.8%

3.0%

Fiat Chrysler (Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, RAM)

$37,666

$37,187

$37,490

1.3%

0.5%

Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln)

$39,756

$39,812

$38,210

-0.1%

4.0%

General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)

$40,889

$41,154

$39,546

-0.6%

3.4%

Hyundai-Kia

$25,090

$25,161

$25,178

-0.3%

-0.3%

Nissan North America (Nissan, Infiniti)

$29,550

$29,717

$28,802

-0.6%

2.6%

Subaru

$28,637

$28,641

$28,451

0.0%

0.7%

Toyota Motor Company (Lexus, Toyota)

$32,321

$32,382

$31,593

-0.2%

2.3%

Volkswagen  Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche)

$40,577

$41,124

$38,983

-1.3%

4.1%

Industry

$35,359

$35,507

$34,374

-0.4%

2.9%

*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives

Volkswagen Group is up 5 percent in July 2018, primarily on the strength of the Volkswagen brand. Volkswagen increased 5 percent on their SUVs, the Atlas and Tiguan, which have brought the brand's sales mix of utility vehicles from 15 percent to nearly 40 percent. The redesigned Jetta also performed well, rising 6 percent. Audi was flat for the month, though the Q5 did show strong improvement with a 4 percent increase.

Another great performer, Ford Motor Company's average transaction prices grew an impressive 4 percent in July 2018. Lincoln's average transaction prices increased 10 percent, thanks to the meteoric rise of the new Navigator (up 33 percent). Ford also reported a big month, rising 4 percent, as the refreshed F-150 climbed 5 percent. The new Expedition also was strong, up 14 percent, pushing it near the top of the full-size SUV segment.

Segment

July

 2018

Transaction

Price

(Avg.)*

June

2018

Transaction

Price

(Avg.)*

July

2017

Transaction

Price

(Avg.)*

Percent

Change

June 2018

to July

2018*

Percent

Change

July

2017 to

July

2018*

Compact Car

$20,412

$20,434

$20,316

-0.1%

0.5%

Compact SUV/Crossover

$28,365

$28,316

$28,122

0.2%

0.9%

Electric Vehicle

$36,948

$37,609

$37,755

-1.8%

-2.1%

Entry-level Luxury Car

$42,211

$42,291

$42,099

-0.2%

0.3%

Full-size Car

$35,038

$34,989

$34,627

0.1%

1.2%

Full-size Pickup Truck

$48,644

$48,676

$46,475

-0.1%

4.7%

Full-Size SUV/Crossover

$61,557

$61,606

$60,761

-0.1%

1.3%

High Performance Car

$92,798

$92,059

$93,718

0.8%

-1.0%

High-end Luxury Car

$98,360

$98,173

$95,874

0.2%

2.6%

Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car

$26,969

$26,725

$26,309

0.9%

2.5%

Luxury Car

$59,519

$59,141

$57,562

0.6%

3.4%

Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover

$44,524

$44,649

$42,899

-0.3%

3.8%

Luxury Full-size SUV/Crossover

$88,038

$88,138

$81,811

-0.1%

7.6%

Luxury Mid-size SUV/Crossover

$55,118

$55,639

$54,607

-0.9%

0.9%

Mid-size Car

$25,424

$25,504

$24,734

-0.3%

2.8%

Mid-size Pickup Truck

$33,125

$33,257

$32,476

-0.4%

2.0%

Mid-size SUV/Crossover

$37,844

$37,798

$37,578

0.1%

0.7%

Minivan

$34,635

$34,138

$34,174

1.5%

1.3%

Sports Car

$31,650

$32,407

$29,975

-2.3%

5.6%

Subcompact Car

$15,026

$14,986

$14,925

0.3%

0.7%

Subcompact SUV/Crossover

$24,008

$24,089

$24,152

-0.3%

-0.6%

Van

$34,902

$34,917

$33,696

0.0%

3.6%

Grand Total

$35,359

$35,507

$34,374

-0.4%

2.9%

*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives