Retail Vehicle Prices Boosted by Trucks, SUVs
Retail new-car prices increased $1,363 (up 4.3 percent) in May from a year ago, but fell $130 (down 0.4 percent) from April, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Photo of 2014 F-Series Super Duty courtesy of Ford.
Photo of 2014 F-Series Super Duty courtesy of Ford.
Retail new-car prices increased $1,363 (up 4.3 percent) to $33,363 in May from a year ago, but fell $130 (down 0.4 percent) from April, according to Kelley Blue Book.
Major truck and utility manufacturers are profiting most from this trend, as cars make up only one-in-three units sold for General Motors, Ford, and FCA US.
"With the national average price of gasoline down nearly a dollar per gallon on average from one year ago, truck and SUV demand remains strong, elevating average transaction prices, especially for domestic automakers, in May," said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "We also saw incentives spending remain nearly flat in May, which shows the strength of the overall new-car market."
Manufacturer | May 2015 Transaction Price (Avg.* | April 2015 Transaction Price (Avg.* | May 2014 Transaction Price (Avg.* | Percent Change April 2015 to May 2015* | Percent Change May 2014 to May 2015* |
American Honda (Acura, Honda) | $27,323 | $27,405 | $26,555 | -0.3% | 2.9% |
Fiat Chrysler (Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, RAM) | $34,164 | $33,875 | $32,924 | 0.9% | 3.8% |
Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln) | $35,517 | $35,351 | $34,059 | 0.5% | 4.3% |
General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC) | $37,131 | $37,127 | $35,621 | 0.0% | 4.2% |
Hyundai-Kia | $25,099 | $25,169 | $24,125 | -0.3% | 4.0% |
Nissan North America (Nissan, Infiniti) | $27,802 | $27,906 | $26,806 | -0.4% | 3.7% |
Toyota Motor Company (Lexus, Scion, Toyota) | $30,187 | $30,529 | $29,511 | -1.1% | 2.3% |
Volkswagen Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche) | $40,288 | $40,796 | $39,071 | -1.2% | 3.1% |
Industry | $33,363 | $33,493 | $32,000 | -0.4% | 4.3% |
*Kelley Blue Book Average Transaction Prices do not include applied consumer incentives
More Operations
Commercial Fleet Sales Contribute To June, YTD Gains
The fleet sector has boosted its vehicle purchases at a reliable pace in the first half of this year compared with 1H 2025.
Read More →
What Fleet Managers Really Want From Vendors
From customer service frustrations and technology breakdowns to RFQs, change management, and the growing impact of turnover across the industry, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the real operational challenges fleet managers are navigating every day.
Read More →
Fleet Safety Masterclass: Industry Leaders on Storytelling, Strategy & Innovation
In this special masterclass episode, industry leaders break down what it really takes to build safer fleets in today’s increasingly distracted and data-driven world.
Read More →
Integrating Legacy Fleet Systems and Historical Data
In this episode, we bring together fleet and technology leaders to unpack the realities of data integration, system migrations, and the evolving role of AI in fleet management.
Read More →
From Resistance to Results: Change Management Strategies for Fleets
From new technologies and safety programs to evolving regulations, fleets are under constant pressure to adapt. But as Dr. Betz explains, success isn’t about the system you implement—it’s about whether your people actually use it.
Read More →
Where We're Headed: A Practical Look at AI in Fleet
Discover how AI is actually being deployed in fleets, not just marketed, including practical use cases and emerging risks.
Read More →
How Coca-Cola United Protects Its Fleet from Growing Legal Risk
Growing legal exposure can put fleets at risk. Here's one company's approach.
Read More →
Fleet Managers Think They Understand Their Costs. The Data Says Otherwise.
Most fleet managers say they have a strong handle on their costs, but new research from Bobit Business Media tells a different story. A 2026 survey of 190 fleet professionals reveals a widespread "confidence gap" where fragmented systems, disconnected data, and delayed reporting are leaving major blind spots hidden beneath the surface. Find out what the data actually shows.
Read More →
Cameras, Safety and Insurance: From Reactive Claims to Real-Time Prevention (Part 2 of 2)
Part Two: Commercial auto remains one of the most challenging and costly lines of coverage for fleet operators and insurers alike. Continue learning more about how to effectively address these issues from Onur Aksan, Enterprise Business Development Executive, Geotab
Read More →
New Trucks, AI & Summer Downtime | AF News Recap
From new truck updates to AI-powered driver coaching and summer maintenance tips, this week's fleet headlines are all about keeping things moving.
Read More →