GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

Last week’s auction activity was in line with the seasonal norms, according to  Black Book’s Ricky Beggs, who said, “We are definitely in the midst of the spring market.”

And fuel rates are experiencing what managing editor Beggs contends is the “traditional first of the year gas-price climb where the national price at the pump average has climbed by 24 cents during February alone and 48 cents since the calendar turned to 2013.”

That said, this may not be cause for concern, yet, since even with this climb, we are only $0.06 higher than the same week a year ago, Beggs noted.

“At the end of last week, one of the busier local stations near our office had the price decline twice during one day, $0.02 each time,” he added.

The effects of high gas prices seem to be hitting the lanes, though, judging by last week’s auction action.

Highlighting the car segments first, there were three segments that increased in value for the week, including the entry-level cars and entry midsize cars, up by $33 and $16, respectively.

“Any surprises that these are two of the three better fuel economy segments?” Beggs asked.

“As the Black Book survey personnel sent their reports in this past week several mentioned the strong interest in the mid and small cars, as well as the more fuel efficient cars being in demand. One described (it) as ‘the market is up on 30 mpg cars,;” he continued, noting dealers and buyers are mentioning the trend, as well.

Overall, the cars finished with the average segment change being a decrease of $22, the second lowest declining amount since the week ending May 11, 2012, according to Black Book.

Interestingly, overall, the truck segments actually “came in slightly better than the cars,” said Beggs, only falling by $19 this past week.

As for the overall market, Beggs called it “relatively strong.”

“There were four segments increasing and four more declining by $20 or less for a relatively strong market this past week, the best in the past nine weeks,” Beggs said.

Of the four stronger than the previous week segments, the compact SUVs increasing by $19 and the midsize pickups jumped $5; both have now increased for three consecutive weeks.

“All of the stability and strength in the market came from the fewest number of adjustments, at 1,647 vehicles adjusted per day, during the month of February,” Beggs concluded.

See the latest "Beggs on the Used Car Market" video report below:

Sarah Rubenoff can be reached at srubenoff@autoremarketing.com. Continue the conversation with Auto Remarketing on both LinkedIn and Twitter.