GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

Among approximately 2,200 vehicles that Black Book editors adjusted on average each day last week, Ricky Beggs shared that it was modifying wholesale prices of average- and clean-condition models that caused the most noteworthy movements.

Beggs mentioned that 36 percent of the average-condition changes resulted in an upward price adjustment while 33 percent of clean-condition changes created a rise in prices.

“This is the largest percent of increases over the last three weeks and the second largest increasing level over the past 22 weeks,” Beggs noted during his latest edition of his weekly online video analysis, “Beggs on the Used Car Market.”

After Beggs explained those average- and clean-condition price modifications, the managing editor acknowledged that those positive price adjustments were not as prevalent within the car segments Black Book tracks.

Editors noticed that six of the 10 car segments dropped in price by a larger amount last week than the previous one.

As a result, car prices decreased by $75 last week, an amount larger than the $70 decline that Beggs said those units took two weeks ago

“The best turn in the segment change week over week was with the entry level cars, down $16 this past week,” Beggs pointed out.

“We continue to watch the luxury type units and their level of movement as the near luxury cars had the largest percentage change within the cars, dropping by 0.68 percent,” he added.

Black Book found that prices within the truck segments fared slightly better overall this past week as the average drop came in at $46.

Two truck segments actually posted price increases a week ago as compact pickups moved $22 higher, extending a streak of increases to three weeks in a row. Compact SUVs also ticked up by $3 last week.

Beggs said that full-size pickups and midsize pickups “continue to hold their value very well,” as those truck segments softened by only $23 and $7, respectively.

Meanwhile, editors discovered that luxury level SUVs posted the largest price movement for the week, tumbling by $141.

Beggs continued his weekly analysis by revisiting gas prices and the comments survey personnel gather from dealers in the lanes.

“The three-week decline in gas prices nationally took a step back up to $3.85 per gallon at the pump, all because of the refining problems within the California market,” Beggs highlighted. “Actual prices in other parts of the country did not see an upward change. Even with the record levels set in California, the reason for the change posed no immediate effects in the values on the lanes on the West Coast.

“Overall the various comments we heard on the market supported the significant number of no sales on the one- and two-year-old vehicles,” Beggs continued. “As a dealer in Colorado said, the ‘interest was in 2010 and older vehicles’ with a very similar statement out of Florida, but indicating the years were ‘2008 and older.’

“This confirmed the ‘late-model rental is down’ comment from our survey person in an auction in Washington state,” Beggs went on to say.

During the week as the editors came back from a couple of auctions in Georgia and gathered reports from survey personnel from around the country, they talked about the slow start to the sales and the larger crowds hanging around outside the lanes, Beggs noted.

“The Black Book representative in the Pittsburgh market reported, ‘it was slow at 9, better at 10:15 and back to 9 levels by 11:30,’” he recapped.

“I think this is just showing the market is easing into a slowdown time of the year with maybe a little more retail interest in new models than used,” Banks surmised.

Beggs wrapped up his commentary by noting he spent the majority of last week at Black Book’s headquarters instead of on the road as he typically would.

“I learn so much about the market by being in the field talking with dealers, auction personnel and lenders, but getting to focus all week on the analytics is quite refreshing as well,” Beggs conceded.

“It was a busy week in looking at the necessary adjustments made by the editors making sure each of you have the most timely and accurate market values,” he continued.

“Thanks for your feedback over the last week. We look forward to your comments flowing in again this week, and also seeing you on the auction lanes,” Beggs concluded.

Beggs’ video can be viewed below.