GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

Though prices in the lanes seemed to be evening out after tax season spikes, rates started ascending once again last week.

Black Book’s Ricky Beggs explained this unusually long spring market is likely due to the tougher winter weather the industry experienced this year.

As a result, spring market strength started a bit later and will likely stick around long than usual.

“There is no doubt the strength in the market values and activity from the second week of March to this past week has brought some amazing levels of changes in the values. Now we may be starting to see a ‘more steady’ market,” said Beggs, Black Book editorial director and senior vice president in his latest “Beggs on the Used Car Market” video report.

Both the car and truck segment prices increase again — bringing rate spikes to four straight weeks for the cars and five consecutive weeks for the trucks.

Almost all truck segments saw price hikes (13 out of the 14 segments Black Book tracks) increased, for an average price rise of $34.

The only segment to decrease last week was the luxury SUVs, which only fell by $2.

“We now have six segments that have increased for at least six consecutive weeks with the compact crossovers positive week over week for seven weeks running,” said Beggs. “The truck based compact SUVs at +$71 has been the strongest change levels for three of the past four weeks.”

For the cars, half of the segments Black Book tracks saw price hikes this past week.

The full-size cars saw the biggest increase, rising by $78 last week.

And both mid-size car segments continued their strength, rising $34 each.

The decline in value of the premium sporty cars of $50 was the lowest weekly change over the past seven weeks for this segment.

“Does this mean spring time is finally here?” Beggs asked during the video report.

The entry-level cars also ended their “streak” of price increases, Beggs said, with average prices falling by $1 last week.

“We look forward to getting back on the lanes again this week to see if the positive changes continue or if those comments of a more steady market prevail,” Beggs concluded.