While affordability appears to be pushing potential vehicle buyers to the used market, recent lane activity and wholesale price trends chronicled by Black Book are reflecting that some dealers have yet to see that swell of possible purchasers.

The newest Black Book Market Insights report values for both cars and trucks softened last week at rates much higher than the four-week average. Black Book executive vice president of operations Anil Goyal offered his analysis.

“Vehicle values registered an increased drop last week, particularly for car segments. Slow retail sales are reflecting in lower bids at the auctions,” Goyal said in the latest report.

Based on volume-weighted data, editors discovered overall car segment values decreased by 0.77% last week. That’s slightly more than double the four-week average drop that Black Book calculated to be 0.38%.

Among cars, Black Book mentioned values of midsize cars decreased the most, softening by 1.20% or $110.

Again looking at volume-weighted information, editors noticed overall truck segment values (including pickups, SUVs and vans) slid by 0.27% last week. In comparison, truck market values decreased by 0.15% on average during the prior four-week period.

Within trucks, Black Book said the values of full-size luxury crossover/SUVs decreased the most, declining by 0.89% or $286.

The anecdotes Black Book collected from its representatives stationed at nearly 60 sales nationwide reinforced the observation that retail activity isn’t picking up even though an array of experts are seeing consumers flock to the used market because of affordability.

Editors relayed these comments:

— From Georgia: “Older, higher-mileage vehicles continue to be strong and attracted a lot of attention. However, one remarketer commented that sales percentages and prices on his inventory have been down recently.”

— From Illinois: “The auctioneer said that the bidding was still good. Not much change in the last few weeks.”

— From Florida: “Dealers are reporting slow retail sales.”

— From Indiana: “The really nice front-line vehicles are still very difficult to find at the auctions.”