CARMEL, Ind. –

Despite a sequential price decline of more than 2 percent, ADESA noticed dealers still had to dip into their floor plan well on average of more than $10,000 per vehicle to fill inventory needs.

According to ADESA Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of wholesale used-vehicle prices by vehicle model class, officials found that wholesale used vehicle prices in May averaged $10,440 — down 2.5 percent compared to April, but up 1.1 percent relative to May 2014.

ADESA indicated only full-size vans, mini SUVs and full-size SUVs had month-over-month increases in average prices.

“Average wholesale used-vehicle prices fell significantly in May relative to April, though they remained modestly higher than year-ago levels.  Besides seasonal factors, supply growth put downward pressure on prices,” ADESA chief economist Tom Kontos said in his latest edition of Kontos Kommentary released on Friday.

“Used-vehicle retail sales were a mixed bag in May, as franchised dealers enjoyed an uptick in sales, especially of CPO units, while independent dealers saw year-over-year declines,” Kontos continued.

ADESA also determined average wholesale prices for used vehicles remarketed by manufacturers softened by 0.2 percent month-over-month and by 6.5 percent year-over-year. Analysts pointed out prices for fleet/lease consignors dropped by 3.0 percent sequentially and 3.0 percent annually.

Kontos mentioned dealer consignors in May saw a 2.6-percent price decrease versus April, but enjoyed a 1.8-percent increase relative to May of last year.

Finally, Kontos recapped that a new data series from the National Automobile Dealers Association showed a 3.6-percent year-over-year increase in used-vehicle sales by franchised dealers, but a 1.6-percent decrease for independent dealers.

He added certified pre-owned sales set new highs in May, growing 8.3 percent month-over-month and 12.2 percent year-over-year, according to figures from Autodata Corp. ADESA Analytical Services' data can be found below: 

ADESA Wholesale Used-Vehicle Price Trends
   Average  Price  ($/Unit)  Latest  Month Versus
   May 2015  April 2015  May 2015  Prior Month  Prior Year
           
 Total All Vehicles  $10,440  $10,703  $10,328  –2.5%  1.1%
           
 Total Cars  $9,085  $9,376  $9,226  –3.1%  -1.5%
 Compact Car  $7,213  $7,433  $7,267  -3.0%  -0.7%
 Midsize Car  $8,024  $8,298  $8,504  -3.3%  -5.6%
 Full-size Car  $7,183  $7,641  $7,200  -6.0%  -0.2%
 Luxury Car  $12,923  $13,205  $12,668  -2.1%  2.0%
 Sporty Car  $13,885  $14,084  $13,140  -1.4%  5.7%
           
 Total Trucks  $11,777  $11,915  $10,914  -1.2%  7.9%
 Minivan  $7,630  $8,221  $7,311  -7.2%  4.4%
 Full-size Van  $12,622  $12,471  $11,237  1.2%  12.3%
 Mini SUV  $14,187  $14,130  $13,020  0.4%  9.0%
 Midsize SUV  $8,575  $8,717  $8,387  -1.6%  2.2%
 Full-size SUV  $12,017  $11,900  $10,901  1.0%  10.2%
 Luxury SUV  $19,899  $19,947  $19,765  -0.3%  0.6%
 Compact Pickup  $8,089  $8,107  $7,723  -0.2%  4.7%
 Full-size Pickup  $14,556  $14,607  $13,343  -0.4%  9.1%
           
Total Crossovers  $12,322  $12,700  $12,817  -2.9%  -3.8%
 Compact CUV  $10,843  $11,255  $11,575  -3.7%  -6.3%
 Mid/Full-size CUV  $13,447  $13,763  $14,095  -2.3%  -4.6%