GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The auction market was as stable last week as it has been in three months, according to Black Book's Ricky Beggs, who in his weekly analysis pointed out that late-model units have been slow selling, particularly the 2010 variety.

"The toughest models to get high percentage sales conversions on the auction block continues to be the late-model units, especially the 2010s," shared Beggs, the company's managing editor. "The close proximity of monthly payment between a slightly used car and a similar new car presents concerns to the used-car buying dealer.

"The concern of another level of new-car incentives possibly appearing could make the new-to-used monthly payment ratio even closer, thus the hesitancy to step up strong on late model units at the auctions," he added.

In fact, he shared that many of the company's survey personnel have reported heavy no-sales, and that, "Most of the no sales seemed to fall within the one- and two-year-old late model vehicles."

Looking at the data in more detail, the average of just over 675 Daily adjustments marked the lowest per-day level for a week since the week ending with April 30, Beggs noted.

On the car side, the overall adjustment was a decrease of $57.

It was the higher-end segments that saw the most change. Prestige luxury cars were off $200, while premium sporty cars fell $117.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the downward movement of the less expensive segments was much less severe. Entry level cars were off $5, there was an $18 drop in entry midsize cars and a $21 dip among upper midsize cars.

"These more stable units all fall in the very affordable price levels for more conservative-conscious consumers," Beggs noted.

Moving on to the truck side of the market, these showed an overall downturn of $14, which Beggs called "minute."

The three truck segments showing value gains were full-size crossovers (up $36), compact SUVs ($20 uptick) and compact pickups (up $15).

"This is a definite change in adjustments for the full-size crossovers as they had declined for six of the previous seven weeks," Beggs pointed out.

Offering some overall commentary, he noted: "The auto market continues to amaze all of us with the solid values and retention levels. There were quite a few comments from our survey personnel this past week relating to the strong, high prices.

"There were even more that emphasized in their reports the continued shortage of good used cars from which to choose," Beggs added.