Auction values may be on the rise as spring season gets underway, but fuel prices remain low. The result?

 Consumers may be less inclined to shell out for fuel-efficient models such as the Toyota Prius.

According to Kelley Blue Book’s latest Blue Book Market Report, auction values rose this past month, hitting an average of $17,970, which is just $27 less than last year’s February average.

Though values are predicted to “continue their seasonal upswing” through April, KBB expects 2014 values to remain slightly below 2013 rates throughout the remainder of the year.

After early 2013’s fuel-rate spike, which brought averages above $4, fuel rates have remained fairly consistent.

Currently, even though fuel rates started the year off a bit above 2013 values, prices have since dropped.

According to the report, the average price for a gallon of regular fuel currently is $3.33, or 36 cents lower than it was this time last year.

KBB is predicting fuel prices to rise slightly due to seasonality in the short-term; however, analysts note rates should remain below 2013 levels.  

Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for KBB, explained how this trend will affect not only fuel-efficient segments, but also the truck groups, as well.

“Lower prices for fuel translate into more money in the consumer’s pocket and more flexibility when choosing between vehicles with higher and lower MPG,” said Gutierrez. “This benefits the truck segments and can decrease demand in the hybrid or fuel-efficient segments.”

Taking a historical perspective KBB pointed out a few changes in regards to the Toyota Prius, which is a good indicator of overall fuel-efficient model trends.

Back in 2011, gas prices spiked, and the used-car market saw the average retail price of the Prius rise to 132 percent of suggested MSRP.

Though fuel prices are higher today than they were in 2010 and 2011, consumers may have just gotten used to these increased rates, says KBB analysts, and may have become less willing to pay out for more expensive fuel-efficient vehicles.

“Since 2011, the average retail retention for the Toyota Prius has dropped significantly to 77 percent of MSRP,” said Gutierrez. “The interesting thing to note is while fuel remains cheap compared to 2012 and 2013, it is actually higher than it was in 2011, when the values for hybrid cars shot up to many than 100 percent retention.”