GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

First it was 67 percent. Then it was 71 percent. And finally, this past week, auction prices are still on the way up even as tax season approaches closure. Last week, according to Black Book data, the level of price changes that were increases came in at 77 percent.

Ricky Beggs, Black Book editorial director and senior vice president, shared in his latest “Beggs on the Used Car Market report,” that the spike in prices led to 20 of the 24 total segments Black Book tracks to finish at positive levels this past week.

Even the luxury vehicles, which had been experiencing lower-than-average price retention in the lanes, saw a spike this past week.

For the first time since well before the first of the year, Beggs said, the luxury level cars and the near luxury level cars had positive change levels, with the overall car segment change coming in with a rise of $21.

The trucks continued to see strength with an average price spike of $26. Twelve of the 14 truck segments saw positive price changes this past week.

Which segment saw the overall biggest rise?

Beggs reported compact crossovers continue to lead the pack in consecutive weekly positive changes, while for the past two weeks the segment with the highest dollar increase was the truck based compact SUVs.

“It has been exciting to see the strength in the market continue for the past five to six weeks, and especially if you are on the selling side,” Beggs said.

That said, he noted, “The thing to remember is the market is almost always changing,” as many have voiced expectations the market will soften later this spring.

“For those of you who have commented over the past several weeks that you expect the market to soften, you will have to wait at least one more week to see that different trend appear,” Beggs said. “The majority of the comments passed along by the Black Book survey personnel indicated brisk activity and sales with prices holding firm or even getting stronger. There were multiple mentions of interest in the 2- to 4-year-old models.”

See above to view the latest "Beggs on the Used Car Market" video report.