Today's News - January 17, 2012

**KBB in the News**

Used-car shoppers: Buy before spring market peak; expect to pay premium on newly redesigned models

http://mediaroom.kbb.com/used-car-shoppers-buy-before-spring-market-peak-expect-pay-premium-newly-redesigned-models

KBB: Used values likely to jump in 1Q and continue climbing

http://www.autoremarketing.com/trends/kbb-used-values-likely-jump-1q-continue-climbing

Kelley Blue Book announces 10 Best Used Cars under $8,000

KNXV (ABC) DMA: 13 Phoenix, AZ

http://ctv4.criticalmention.com/playerpage/player?params=Y2xpcElkPTEzNDEyMDAmc2xpbT0xJnBvd2VyZWQ9MSZyZXBvcnQ9dHJ1ZSZoaWRlQ2xpcENvbnRyb2xzPTEmbm9oZWFkZXI9MSZub21lbnU9dHJ1ZSZhdXRvUGxheT0xJnBhcnRuZXJUb2tlbj04YTgwODM3OTM0ZTg2OGVmMDEzNGVjODIyNDliNjAyZQ

Kelley Blue Book encourages car buyers to purchase after Labor Day

KMSP (Fox) DMA: 15 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN

http://ctv4.criticalmention.com/playerpage/player?params=Y2xpcElkPTEzNDEyMTMmc2xpbT0xJnBvd2VyZWQ9MSZyZXBvcnQ9dHJ1ZSZoaWRlQ2xpcENvbnRyb2xzPTEmbm9oZWFkZXI9MSZub21lbnU9dHJ1ZSZhdXRvUGxheT0xJnBhcnRuZXJUb2tlbj04YTgwODM3OTM0ZTg2OGVmMDEzNGVjODIyNDliNjAyZQ

Fewer vehicles, slower economy pose challenges for used-car dealers

http://www.wctrib.com/event/article/id/88804/

**KBB Expert Analysis**

Used-Car Shoppers: Buy Before Spring Market Peak

- Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst of automotive insights for Kelley Blue Book

The used-car market’s first quarter upswing may already be underway, so buyers in the market for a used-car should purchase sooner rather than later. We anticipate used-car values to increase 3 to 5 percent in the first quarter of 2012; starting late-January and continuing into the second quarter. Values have been flat through the first two weeks of January; although, a handful of segments have started to increase earlier than originally anticipated. Non-luxury cars and crossovers increased between $50 and $100 in the past week alone, and they will likely continue to rise in the weeks and months ahead. A lull in lease returns and an aging fleet of vehicles on the road are expected to keep prices high through most of this year; potentially higher than the record levels established in 2011. Values aren’t likely to dip any lower in the next few months, so consumers should act fast, before auction activity picks up during the next several weeks.