THE CAR AND TRUCK FLEET AND LEASING MANAGEMENT MAGAZINE
Over the past three years commercial remarketers have cut the time it takes to sell a vehicle from the moment it arrives at auction by five days.
Overall wholesale values remained stable last week, however, luxury values continued to decline last week.
Black Book analysts forecast an annual depreciation rate of 15% in 2019 as the supply of used cars and trucks increases, up from a "noticeably strong" 12.4% depreciation rate in 2018.
Outside factors such as a record-spanning government shutdown, the polar vortex, and a hit to consumer confidence led to a slow start to used sales in 2019.
The lull that the wholesale market experienced through January and February was upended in March, as the industry saw the traditional spring bounce in values, according to the most recent Manheim Index report.
This growth was in large part fueled by the strong performance of lower-priced vehicles. Compact cars and midsize cars, in specific, saw the strongest growth among all vehicle segments and outperformed the overall market.
The passenger car segment was a main contributor to the the rise in used-vehicle prices in 2018.
The average transaction price for a new vehicle in the U.S. was $37,577 in December 2018, a 1.3% increase from the same time in 2017.
The average 12-month depreciation through the end of November for all vehicles was 12.5%.
Used-vehicle values have held strong this year. A strong economy and more efficient remarketing strategies are helping make 2018 a banner year for used-vehicle values.