Average New-Car Prices Jump 2 Percent for March 2018 on SUV Sales Strength, According to Kelley Blue Book

IRVINE, Calif., April 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The analysts at Kelley Blue Book today reported the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $35,285 in March 2018. New-vehicle prices have increased by $703 (up 2 percent) from March 2017, while falling $23 (down 0.1 percent) from last month.   

Kelley Blue Book Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Kelley Blue Book)

"Most automaker transaction prices increased in March 2018 as the industry average rose 2 percent," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "Average transaction price growth was headlined by SUVs, particularly in the mid-size and full-size segments. Although fuel prices were up last month, SUV sales remain strong and new models like the Chevrolet Traverse and Lincoln Navigator helped elevate their respective segments."

Manufacturer

March

 2018
Transaction
Price (Avg.)*

February

2018

Transaction
Price (Avg.)*

March

2017
Transaction
Price (Avg.)*

Percent
Change
February
2018 to
March
2018*

Percent
Change
March

2017 to
March
2018*

American Honda (Acura, Honda)

$28,470

$28,573

$27,750

-0.4%

2.6%

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

$36,508

$36,524

$36,936

0.0%

-1.2%

Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln)

$37,794

$37,760

$37,533

0.1%

0.7%

General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)

$40,037

$39,805

$38,518

0.6%

3.9%

Hyundai-Kia

$25,279

$25,500

$24,943

-0.9%

1.3%

Nissan North America (Nissan, Infiniti)

$29,438

$29,450

$29,516

0.0%

-0.3%

Subaru

$28,532

$28,746

$28,541

-0.7%

0.0%

Toyota Motor Company (Lexus, Toyota)

$32,168

$32,236

$31,493

-0.2%

2.1%

Volkswagen  Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche)

$41,568

$41,532

$38,822

0.1%

7.1%

Industry

$35,285

$35,308

$34,582

-0.1%

2.0%

 

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

 

General Motors was up 4 percent year-over-year, with Chevrolet rising the most at 5 percent. Chevrolet's jump is based on a strong mix of Silverado sales, and also the redesigned Traverse posted a 10 percent increase. Similarly, the redesigned Buick Enclave rose 6 percent. Buick also climbed 3 percent with help from the new Regal Sportback and Regal TourX, up 6 percent from the previous generation Regal.

On the other hand, Fiat Chrysler's average transaction prices fell 1 percent in March 2018, with Dodge reporting the strongest month with 2 percent improvement. The RAM brand fell 3 percent due to the sell down of the 2018 RAM pickup, while the next generation of RAM trucks is just now reaching dealerships. Jeep was flat, but the new Wrangler JL is gaining momentum and helped the Wrangler's pricing grow 4 percent.

Segment

March

 2018

February

2018

March
2017
Transaction

Percent
Change
February

Percent
Change
March

 

Transaction Price (Avg.)*

Transaction Price (Avg.)*

Price (Avg.)*

2018 to March 2018*

2017 to March 2018*

Compact Car

$20,444

$20,413

$20,611

0.2%

-0.8%

Compact SUV/Crossover

$28,633

$28,734

$28,184

-0.4%

1.6%

Electric Vehicle

$38,139

$37,915

$37,670

0.6%

1.2%

Entry-level Luxury Car

$41,834

$41,416

$41,831

1.0%

0.0%

Full-size Car

$34,511

$34,484

$34,561

0.1%

-0.1%

Full-size Pickup Truck

$47,069

$46,732

$47,000

0.7%

0.1%

Full-size SUV/Crossover

$62,437

$62,233

$60,437

0.3%

3.3%

High Performance Car

$96,860

$98,518

$92,114

-1.7%

5.2%

High-end Luxury Car

$96,872

$98,613

$96,773

-1.8%

0.1%

Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car

$25,850

$25,777

$25,626

0.3%

0.9%

Luxury Car

$58,735

$58,827

$57,195

-0.2%

2.7%

Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover

$44,497

$44,456

$43,307

0.1%

2.7%

Luxury Full-size SUV/Crossover

$87,734

$86,979

$82,551

0.9%

6.3%

Luxury Mid-size SUV/Crossover

$56,406

$56,284

$55,260

0.2%

2.1%

Mid-size Car

$25,776

$25,839

$25,063

-0.2%

2.8%

Mid-size Pickup Truck

$32,691

$32,723

$32,225

-0.1%

1.4%

Mid-size SUV/Crossover

$38,541

$38,530

$37,447

0.0%

2.9%

Minivan

$33,685

$33,955

$33,202

-0.8%

1.5%

Sports Car

$31,338

$30,983

$31,459

1.1%

-0.4%

Subcompact Car

$16,346

$16,276

$16,399

0.4%

-0.3%

Subcompact SUV/Crossover

$24,384

$24,310

$24,342

0.3%

0.2%

Van

$35,345

$34,920

$34,941

1.2%

1.2%

Grand Total

$35,285

$35,308

$34,582

-0.1%

2.0%

 

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

 

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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry. Each week the company provides market-reflective values on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Kelley Blue Book® Price Advisor tool, which provides a range for what consumers can reasonably expect to pay for a vehicle in their area. Car owners looking to sell immediately can also get a redeemable, transaction-ready offer with Kelley Blue BookSM Instant Cash Offer. 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 is a Cox Automotive brand.

About Cox Automotive
Cox Automotive Inc. makes buying, selling and owning cars easier for everyone. The global company's 34,000-plus team members and family of brands, including Autotrader®, Dealer.com®, Dealertrack®, Kelley Blue Book®, Manheim®, NextGear Capital®, VinSolutions®, vAuto® and Xtime®, are passionate about helping millions of car shoppers, 40,000 auto dealer clients across 100+ countries and many others throughout the automotive industry thrive for generations to come. Cox Automotive is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises Inc., a privately-owned, Atlanta-based company with revenues exceeding $20 billion. coxautoinc.com

 

 

SOURCE Kelley Blue Book

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