CARMEL, Ind. -

It seems Hurricane Sandy is not done with the automotive industry.

Offering a take on December’s unseasonably strong wholesale prices, ADESA’s Tom Kontos noted in the latest “Kontos Kommentary” that the superstorm may have played a role in these high rates.

“Some residual effects of Superstorm Sandy may be evident in the relatively strong wholesale prices seen during December, with average prices rising by over 3 percent relative to November,” Kontos said.

“Moreover, December has been a seasonally stronger month than November in recent years, notwithstanding, or perhaps because of, the tendency of some consignors to hold cars during the month. Those consignors who chose to sell rather than hold were rewarded with stronger prices, as well as capitalizing on the time value of money,’” he continued.

Breaking the numbers down, according to ADESA Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of wholesale used-vehicle prices by vehicle model class, wholesale used vehicle prices in December averaged $9,849.

This marks a 3.1-percent increase compared to November and down a modest 0.2-percent  year-over-year.

“Cars, trucks and crossovers all showed strong monthly gains,” Kontos said.

As for used vehicles remarketed by manufacturers, he said that  prices rose by 3.2 percent month-over-month in December and were up 6.9 percent year-over-year.

Kontos attributed this rise to “continued good absorption of off-rental program vehicles.”

For fleet/lease consignors selling these off-rental units, prices experienced a 2.8-percent increase in December, resulting in prices being up 2.0 percent year-over-year.  

Meanwhile, dealer consignors selling into the lanes saw a 3.5-percent average price increase versus November, leaving prices being down 1.7 percent versus December 2011.  

Wrapping up the full year, Kontos shared wholesale prices in 2012 versus 2011 were up 4.9 percent for manufacturers, but down 0.4 percent for fleet/lease consignors, and 1.7 percent for dealers.  

“This is explainable in part by the more significant lack of late-model used vehicles generally sold by manufacturers versus the more abundant supply of older models typically sold by fleet/lease companies and dealers,” Kontos concluded.