Average New-Car Prices Set Record High, Up Nearly 2 Percent In December 2017, According To Kelley Blue Book

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Jan 03, 2018, 06:12 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 3, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The analysts at Kelley Blue Book today reported the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $36,113 in December 2017. New-car prices have increased by $583 (up 1.6 percent) from December 2016, while climbing 66 (up 0.2 percent) from last month.

"Average transaction prices closed the year on a strong note, rising nearly 2 percent in December 2017 to set a record high," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "Incentive spending was a concern in 2017, averaging 10.4 percent of MSRP, but encouragingly, this figure held relatively flat over the final quarter of the year. In 2018, interest rate hikes could be another concern, as they threaten to increase monthly payments for consumers; however, Kelley Blue Book anticipates they will help contribute to another down year of new-vehicle sales more than impact prices, which have steadily risen along with the economy since the recession."

Transaction prices for all of 2017 also finished 2 percent higher than last year, slightly slower growth than 2015 and 2016, which was at 2.5 percent.

Manufacturer	December 2017 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	November 2017 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	December 2016 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	Percent Change November 2017 to December 2017*	Percent Change December 2016 to December 2017*
American Honda (Acura, Honda)	$28,658	$28,351	$27,951	1.1%	2.5%
Fiat Chrysler (Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, RAM)	$37,446	$37,411	$36,977	0.1%	1.3%
Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln)	$40,421	$40,023	$39,447	1.0%	2.5%
General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)	$40,016	$40,204	$40,185	-0.5%	-0.4%
Hyundai-Kia	$25,546	$25,356	$24,970	0.7%	2.3%
Nissan North America (Nissan, Infiniti)	$29,828	$29,921	$29,932	-0.3%	-0.3%
Subaru	$28,688	$28,824	$28,646	-0.5%	0.1%
Toyota Motor Company (Lexus, Toyota)	$33,937	$33,351	$33,032	1.8%	2.7%
Volkswagen Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche)	$40,698	$42,943	$37,658	-5.2%	8.1%
Industry	$36,113	$36,047	$35,530	0.2%	1.6%
*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives

American Honda's transaction prices rose nearly 3 percent in December 2017 with the Honda brand up 4 percent and Acura flat. The CR-V, Honda's top seller, continued its strong run with prices up 6 percent. In addition, the redesigned Honda Odyssey showed the most improvement, rising 14 percent to top the minivan segment.

Volkswagen Group saw the biggest jump among the major manufacturers with average prices up 8 percent. The Volkswagen brand climbed 9 percent, thanks to its new SUVs, the Atlas and Tiguan, which also are gaining momentum. Porsche climbed 5 percent on the strength of its new Panamera. Audi was up 4 percent with the redesigned A5 and Q5 each rising 10 percent.

Segment	December 2017 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	November 2017 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	December 2016 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	Percent Change November 2017 to December 2017*	Percent Change December 2016 to December 2017*
Compact Car	$20,396	$20,302	$20,506	0.5%	-0.5%
Compact SUV/Crossover	$28,470	$28,565	$27,785	-0.3%	2.5%
Electric Vehicle	$37,792	$38,485	$37,890	-1.8%	-0.3%
Entry-level Luxury Car	$42,502	$42,375	$41,475	0.3%	2.5%
Full-size Car	$34,113	$34,568	$34,334	-1.3%	-0.6%
Full-size Pickup Truck	$47,601	$47,333	$47,191	0.6%	0.9%
Full-Size SUV/Crossover	$60,830	$60,335	$61,438	0.8%	-1.0%
High Performance Car	$93,713	$93,700	$94,111	0.0%	-0.4%
High-end Luxury Car	$97,128	$98,620	$93,821	-1.5%	3.5%
Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car	$25,696	$25,847	$25,546	-0.6%	0.6%
Luxury Car	$57,827	$58,956	$56,259	-1.9%	2.8%
Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover	$44,239	$44,496	$43,151	-0.6%	2.5%
Luxury Full-size SUV/Crossover	$83,277	$82,213	$83,267	1.3%	0.0%
Luxury Mid-size SUV/Crossover	$55,588	$55,625	$54,735	-0.1%	1.6%
Mid-size Car	$25,641	$25,525	$25,176	0.5%	1.9%
Mid-size Pickup Truck	$32,562	$32,400	$32,709	0.5%	-0.4%
Mid-size SUV/Crossover	$38,139	$38,076	$37,563	0.2%	1.5%
Minivan	$34,807	$34,863	$34,138	-0.2%	2.0%
Sports Car	$31,279	$31,205	$30,340	0.2%	3.1%
Subcompact Car	$16,265	$16,292	$16,716	-0.2%	-2.7%
Subcompact SUV/Crossover	$24,310	$24,400	$24,422	-0.4%	-0.5%
Van	$34,756	$34,655	$34,014	0.3%	2.2%
Grand Total	$36,113	$36,047	$35,530	0.2%	1.6%
*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives

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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new and used cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies, and governmental agencies. Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a Cox Automotive™ brand.

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