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GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The movement in wholesale values this past week was not as sharply negative as it had been in recent weeks, with auction market seemingly migrating in a slightly more positive direction, according to Ricky Beggs, managing editor at Black Book.

This movement followed two straight weeks where Black Book made fewer upward value changes.

"Last week in the video segment we had reported there had been two consecutive weeks of fewer positive adjustments and questioned whether we were seeing a trend being established," he said during the latest "Beggs on the Used Car Market" video report.

"In the most recent market results, the direction of the market took a turn back to there being more positive values," Beggs continued.

Overall, the average dollar change for the 1,100 values adjusted last week was a little more than a $29 decrease. While still a decline, it was less steep of a drop than the overall change from the prior week, which was a dip of $87, Beggs pointed out.

Moreover, 43 percent of the changes were positive, versus just over a quarter of the adjustments being upward movements the week before.

On the car side of the market, once again, all 10 segments that Black Book tracks showed decreases. But the slope of the decline narrowed from $46 to $34.

Also, just three car segments — compact cars, sporty cars and entry midsize cars — saw the degree of their declines increase.

Meanwhile, on the truck side of the market, there were three segments that either remained static from the previous week or saw their values climb: full-size pickup trucks, full-size cargo vans and full-size passenger vans.

Interestingly enough, all three showed declines in the week prior to last.

That said, the drops in value accelerated for minivan wagons, mid-size crossovers and luxury SUVs.

Overall, trucks were off $29, but this marks a more subdued drop from the previous week's decline, which was $41.

Looking at the wholesale market in general, Beggs stated: "There doesn't seem to be a consistent pattern of strength or weakness in the market this past week. The comments from the dealers, auction personnel and Black Book survey personnel who cover over 55 auctions every week represented various trends as well.

"Some thought the market had strong prices, others said 'it is off from the spring high' while another said 'prices weren't crazy,'" he continued.

"One trend that appeared from several parts of the country and multiple auction locations was that diesel pickups were getting stronger," Beggs added. "For the second time in recent weeks our senior truck editor, Kevin Giddens, increased the ADD for diesel engines."

Beggs went on to note that units in extra-clean condition that have low mileages and are attention grabbers "will bring all the money." But he also emphasized the importance of vehicles being properly equipped, as that can often help them fetch "top money."