NADA UCG: Gas Prices Decrease, but Gas-Guzzler Wholesale Prices Continue to Fall

Could the gas spike be over? According to Energy Information Administration data, the average price of regular grade gasoline (all formulations) decreased by five cents from $3.88 to $3.83, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the prices in the lanes. NADA Used Car Guide predicted that prices for gas guzzlers are once again expected to slide this week.

The large SUV segment is expected to see the biggest declines over the course of the current week as prices are  expected to drop by 1 percent, or $225.

That said, the compact car segment is expected to fall quite a bit, as well.

Following closely behind the SUVs, the midsize van segment  and compact car segments are expected to drop by 1.6 percent ($200) and 1.3 percent ($125), respectively.

These segments also saw the biggest twp-week average rates of depreciation. The midsize van segment saw the biggest drop at 2.8 percent, followed by the compact car segment at 2.5 percent.  

And the last segments to see wholesale price declines this week, according to NADA UCG, are the midsize car and large pickup segments, which are expected to see slight declines around $75 apiece.

On the other hand, the midsize utility and compact utility segments are expected to see minor increases over the course of the current week to the tune of $25, officials shared.

And as for the luxury side, both the luxury car and luxury utility segments are expected to increase by 0.4 percent — or $100 — apiece.

Four- and two-week AuctionNet wholesale average prices are created by collecting all AuctionNet records for vehicles  up to five years of age for a specified period of time.  Prices are then adjusted for changes in mileage and mix.

Current week prices are based on NADA's proprietary used-vehicle value model which includes assumptions for new-vehicle prices, used-vehicle supply, gasoline prices, and other economic factors.