THE CAR AND TRUCK FLEET AND LEASING MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE
Used compact vans and several categories of crossovers increased in value in wholesale sales, while luxury vehicles made up seven of the 10 lowest performing categories among 2013-2017 vehicles in May, according to Black Book.
Used compact and midsize passenger cars held their value better than pickups and cargo vans in April, and overall vehicle depreciation eased due to a strong spring selling season, according to Black Book.
Used cars of all sizes outperformed trucks, vans, and larger SUVs at wholesale auctions in March, Black Book is reporting.
Fleet mainstays such as pickups and vans are expected to perform well at wholesale this year. Higher-end vehicles, such as those found in executive fleets are expected to struggle.
The average price of two- to seven-year-old vehicles depreciated less sharply than expected in February due to "a spirited start to the spring selling season" that has boosted prices for used passenger cars, according to Black Book.
For the sixth week in a row, the car segment has realized lower depreciation than the truck segment, according to Black Book’s March 12 Market Insights report.
Vehicle depreciation rates were at the lowest levels seen all year last week, as the effects of the spring market demand begin to kick in, according to Black Book’s Feb. 26 Market Insights report.
An index that tracks wholesale used vehicle values fell in December for the first time in four months at a time when the used vehicle market typically shows some weakness. It also reinforced 2017 as a growth year for used vehicle sales.
Typical seasonal highs and lows were disrupted this year due to a run of natural disasters destroying hundreds of thousands of vehicles and causing a surge in replacement activity. Overall fleet depreciation improved this year.
While market watchers agree that Hurricane Harvey's impact stretches beyond Houston-area automotive business, estimates on exactly how many vehicles will need to be replaced vary between half a million and million vehicles, including as many as 18,500 fleet vehicles.