Runzheimer, a business vehicle technology and solutions provider, combed through more than a half dozen sources — including Manheim, Edmunds, IHS Markit and the National Automobile Dealers Association — to compile its Vehicle Capital Costs Trend Report.

Firm analysts cautioned fleet managers and other auxiliary service providers that new-vehicle prices in the U.S. have risen steadily since 2012 and potentially that trend could continue in 2018, citing their comprehensive data review suggesting that this will be the case.

Runzheimer suggested that the increase in vehicle costs is something businesses with fleet programs will need to consider when planning budgets for this year. The report mentioned three other crucial findings, including:

• The overall average price of a new vehicle will increase moderately over the next 12 months by 1 percent to 2 percent.

• As inventory in the used vehicle market steadily increases, residual values will decrease over the next 12 months by 2 percent to 3.5 percent.

• Depreciation is expected to increase 1 percent to 1.5 percent.

The entire Runzheimer report can be found here.