LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. -

With a couple of pockets where dealer activity in the lanes seemed a little more upbeat, Black Book summarized that wholesale prices moved at a “humdrum pace” to close out July.

This week’s Black Book Market Insights report noted car segments depreciated at nearly double the percentage of trucks this past week. Also, midsize car segments and compact crossover/SUV segments saw the greatest depreciation during the week.

“The wholesale market values continue to depreciate at a humdrum pace as dealers report slow sales in retail,” said Anil Goyal, Black Book’s senior vice president of automotive valuation and analytics, who will make multiple appearances during Used Car Week at the Red Rock Resort and Casino in Las Vegas from Nov. 14 to 18.

Volume-weighted, Black Book editors determined overall car values decreased by 0.47 percent last week, similar to the average depreciation rate of 0.46 percent seen in the previous four weeks.

In car segments, the midsize car segment declined the most, dropping by 0.91 percent. 

Volume-weighted, editors found that overall truck values decreased by 0.26 percent last week, slightly better than the average change of 0.35 percent seen in the previous four weeks.

In truck segments, Black Book said the compact crossover/SUV segment declined the most, softening by 0.48 percent.

When Black Book representatives reported back to headquarters from the lanes, two auction watchers relayed these reports:

—In Florida, it was a “good sale today at this location, dealer lanes were very busy."

—In California, “the market has slowed down a little in this area, but all lanes still seemed to do pretty well.”

While the lane recaps in those sunny locales conveyed an upbeat sentiment, a Black Book representative in Tennessee said, “Dealers reporting that sales have been very slow this week on their lots, leaving very little to send to auction. Plenty of no-sales here today.”

Up in New Jersey, the theme was “slow retail and wholesale in this market location.”

And finally in Washington, the sentiment from the Northwest was: “Prices are down on most everything here. Consignment was better than last week but still low compared to normal.”

Specialty markets update

As it does monthly, Black Book shared trends associated with the specialty markets. Editors’ thoughts are as follows:

—Collectible cars: Black Book indicated the automotive events held in the middle of August on California’s scenic Monterey Peninsula have become the year’s “most important gathering for high-end car collectors and enthusiasts.” 

—Recreational vehicles: Editors described the wholesale market as “very consistent” last month, with motorized units and towables not only moving in the same direction, but changing in similar amounts. 

—Powersports: Black Book noticed values in the powersports market moved down across the board this past month. “With the end of summer upon us, many dealers have begun to draw down their inventory of street bikes as we head into the fall,” editors added.

—Heavy duty: Black Book noted the volume of available used trucks continues to grow, “which ensures good buys at HD auctions for most.”

—Medium duty: In the medium duty truck wholesale market, editors said they “saw the older models decline more and the newer trucks decline less.”