New-Car Transaction Prices Soar In January 2015, Up More Than 5 Percent, According To Kelley Blue Book

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The analysts at Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry, today report the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $33,993 in January 2015.  New-car prices have increased by $1,694 (up 5.2 percent) from January 2014, while dropping $570 (down 1.7 percent) from last month.

"Lower gas prices are helping with what has already been a growing market for truck and utility vehicles," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "In turn, these vehicles are driving increases in average transaction prices across the industry, especially among the domestic automakers."

General Motors increased significantly in its average transaction prices at 8.2 percent year-over-year, benefitting from their full lineup of SUV and truck models, along with low gas prices.  General Motors' full-size SUV lineup hit the market last year at the right time, and prices for the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon/Yukon XL are all up more than 10 percent from this time last year.

"Another noteworthy American automaker is Ford Motor Company, up 5.7 percent, helped by several new products," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "The F-Series average transaction prices have increased 7.5 percent in January, even as the all-new 2015 model is still growing in availability.  Another iconic Ford, the Mustang is up 12.9 percent following its recent redesign."

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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry.  Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new and used cars this week.  The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies.  Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com ranked highest in its category for brand equity by the 2014 Harris Poll EquiTrend^® study and has been named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year for three consecutive years.  Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a Cox Automotive company.

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SOURCE Kelley Blue Book