Though low gas prices have not played much of a role in the more fuel-efficient segments’ price movements this year, last week’s wholesale price activity shows that low rates at the pump may be having more of an impact this month.

Black Book’s Ricky Beggs said that the falling price of gas is “showing its effects” on prices of entry-level, midsize and compact cars.

The national average of $3.19 per gallon is 26 cents less than prices seen during the same time last year, and 6 cents less than the lowest prices seen in 2012.

As these rates are easier on consumers’ pockets, prices in the more fuel-efficient segments seem to be suffering.

Last week, the greatest percentage price declines were seen within the entry-level car segment. Prices here were off1.52 percent (or, down $95), Beggs reported in his latest “Beggs on the Used Car Market” video report.

Next up was the compact car segment, which saw rates fall by 0.61 percent, or $45.

The entry midsize cars followed with a 0.55 percent or $44 change.

“These change levels we feel are somewhat a reaction to the drop in current gas prices at the pump as these three segments are the primary more fuel-efficient models,” said Beggs.

And Beggs predicts gas prices might head down even more as 2013 wraps up.

“This price at the pump could decline even more, possibly even under $3.00, until the traditional reverse increases start back probably toward the middle to end of January 2014,” said Beggs. “We will have some fluctuations during the next year but not at the point of new high points or even to the average price throughout all of 2013.”

On the truck side of the market, last week threw a couple of curve balls.

Interestingly, the three pickup truck segments — which have experienced strong price retention this year — saw the greatest percentage decline this past week for trucks.

The compact pickups fell 0.73 percent; the midsize pickups dropped 0.43 percent; and the full-size pickups declined by 0.41 percent.

Commenting on these numbers, Beggs said that “this is a little larger declining level than the most recent previous trends for these segments, and is slightly contrary to the current gas price levels.

“We feel this is a temporary trend that should not continue this change level in the next few weeks,” he concluded.

To view the latest "Beggs on the Used Car Market" video report, see below: