CARMEL, Ind. -

Though most dealers are used to wholesale prices falling right along with the leaves, the tides turned a bit this past November.

According to ADESA Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of wholesale used vehicle prices by vehicle model class, wholesale prices rose by 1.8 percent compared to October.

The average price of $9,862 in the lanes this past month was also up 1.1 percent year-over-year.

“November wholesale used-vehicle prices displayed a continuation of the recent trend toward a richer mix of late-model vehicles that have biased average prices upward,” ADESA chief economist Tom Kontos said in the latest edition of Kontos Kommentary.

Kontos also pointed out that strength in the used-car market is keeping wholesale prices elevated, even amidst well-performing new-vehicle sales.

“Retail used-vehicle sales, especially for certified pre-owned vehicles, provided demand-side price support at a time when high off-lease volumes and trade-ins from strong new vehicle sales could have pushed average prices down,” Kontos said of the November price movement in the lanes.

Used unit sales soared in November to 3.11 million, according to CNW research, up from 3.10 million used sales during the same period of 2013. This past month's success pushed year-to-date figures for used sales well above 38 million.

Last month, full-size SUVs and luxury cars touted some of the strongest month-over-month price gains in the lanes, according to ADESA data.

Prices for full-size SUVs were up 5.3 percent from October rates, coming in at an average of $11,695 in November.

“Low gasoline prices may have contributed to this result,” Kontos said, as prices at the pump dipped below $3 in November and continued falling.

Luxury cars also saw a significant price boost last month, with rates rising to an average of $12,166, up 4.8 percent from October.

Manufacturers enjoyed the biggest price bump at auction last month, with remarketing prices up 4.1 percent from October. That said, rates for automakers were down 8.1 percent year-over-year — perhaps not surprising as used supply continues to expand.

Prices for fleet/least consignors were up 0.3 percent sequentially, but down 2.1 percent annually, Kontos pointed out. He said prices for off-rental “risk” units held up well for this segment considering the recent boost in volume of these vehicles that are being remarketed this late in the year.

“This could be due to the curtailment of sales for selected off-rental program vehicles until after the new year,” Kontos said.

And dealer consignors were also bringing in a little more cash, with prices in the lanes rising by 1.4 percent from October and 1.5 percent year-over-year. Kontos said this trend indicates “the wholesale market is readily absorbing excess dealer trades.”