Black Book determined average prices for cars dropped by $75 last week, representing the largest weekly decline in the past seven weeks. Four car segments declined even more than the average, raising the attention of managing editor Ricky Beggs.

The largest individual car segment declines were all from the higher-level, more luxury-oriented type models, including prestige luxury cars (down $187), premium sporty cars (down $142), luxury level cars (down $86) and near luxury cars at (down $81).

The declines prompted Beggs to ask a question during his weekly online video commentary, “Beggs on the Used Car Market.” He wondered, “Is it a coincidence that one year ago the top three declining segments were from this same mix?”

Meanwhile, last week’s average truck prices didn’t drop as much as they did a week earlier, but Beggs described the $70 decline as “pretty significant.”

The largest declines among truck prices last week included full-size crossovers (down $170), luxury SUVs (down $142), midsize crossovers (down $119), compact crossovers (down $87) and midsize SUVs (down $71).

Even with the average segment changes at “some pretty lofty levels,” Beggs indicated the comments from the Black Book survey personnel demonstrated a less aggressive seller leading to many more no sales.

“We think that especially on the Eastern half of the country, this is a sign of the sellers anticipating an increase in demand to fill the needs created by Hurricane Sandy,” Beggs said.

Beggs added three comments showed the interest was strong for trucks and the price movement for segment reinforced the trend. Full-size pickup prices softened by just $37 a week ago, the segment’s smallest decline during the past four weeks.

Beggs also mentioned last week’s price movements likely were connected to current gas prices.

“The results of the past week’s activity have had to deal with continuing declining gas prices at the pump reaching $3.49 per gallon as of Nov. 5. We have reached this price after four weeks of declining gas prices totaling a $.35 change,” Beggs said.

“We are now only $.07 per gallon higher than a year ago when prices were heading toward the low of $3.23 during the middle of December 2011. Let’s hope this trend continues,” he continued.

While gas prices might not be commandeering news headlines like they have in the past, Beggs recounted three major recent events that are unrelated but could have used-vehicle industry ramifications.

“There have been numerous headlines in the news over the last couple of weeks that could create or be a part of a reaction within the used car market,” Beggs said. “First is a continuation of the effects of Hurricane Sandy, which was being followed up with an early Nor’easter dumping cold temperatures and wet snow. This second jolt to the people of New Jersey, New York and the surrounding areas didn’t damage cars and trucks, but definitely slammed the spirits of the people who still didn’t have power or heat in their homes as a result of Sandy.”

Beggs continued that the second industry issue came with the revelation that the 40 MPG ratings of several Hyundai and Kia models were being re-rated with refunds in the form of debit cards to the owners of an estimated 900,000 vehicles.

He went on to say that the third “out of the normal” industry news item was the announcement that Suzuki would cease to sell vehicle in the U.S. markets, but remain in the motorcycle and powersports market as well as the marine engine market.

“The volumes had been so low over the last few years. And with only around 4,000 new models still on the ground to be sold, we expect a rather easy wind down,” Beggs said.

So what impact might these developments leave?

“One of these three will result in more sales, both new and used, with expected increases in used values,” Beggs said. “The remaining two will not be positives, but are yet to be determined as to any reaction in the wholesale market.

“These are definitely on the radar screen of the Black Book editors,” he added.

Beggs’ video can be viewed below.