Average New-Car Prices Up 2 Percent Year-Over-Year for April 2019, According to Kelley Blue Book

SUV Prices Up Just 1 Percent on Slowing Retail Demand and Increased Competition

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May 01, 2019, 06:02 ET

IRVINE, Calif., May 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The valuation analysts at Kelley Blue Book today reported the estimated average transaction price for a light vehicle in the United States was $36,843 in April 2019. New-vehicle prices increased $732 (up 2 percent) from April 2018, while rising $93 (up 0.3 percent) from last month.

"Transaction prices climbed 2 percent in April, still largely due to the shifting sales mix toward SUVs and crossovers," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "With slowing retail demand and increased competition, SUV prices were up just 1 percent for the month. However, the shrinking market share of the more affordable car segments, now close to 30 percent, is driving the industry average upward."

Trucks saw the biggest increases in April 2019, with prices rising 4 percent on average on the strength of the redesigned Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and RAM pickups launched last year.

Manufacturer	April 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	March 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	April 2018 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	Percent Change March 2019 to April 2019*	Percent Change April 2018 to April 2019*
American Honda (Acura, Honda)	$28,800	$28,830	$28,458	-0.1%	1.2%
Fiat Chrysler (Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, RAM)	$38,858	$38,826	$37,608	0.1%	3.3%
Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln)	$42,125	$42,114	$39,804	0.0%	5.8%
General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)	$40,310	$40,225	$40,063	0.2%	0.6%
Hyundai-Kia	$25,035	$25,008	$25,160	0.1%	-0.5%
Nissan North America (Nissan, INFINITI)	$29,424	$29,100	$28,711	1.1%	2.5%
Subaru	$29,909	$30,147	$28,427	-0.8%	5.2%
Toyota Motor Company (Lexus, Toyota)	$33,610	$33,647	$32,562	-0.1%	3.2%
Volkswagen Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche)	$43,539	$42,522	$43,397	2.4%	0.3%
Industry	$36,843	$36,750	$36,111	0.3%	2.0%
*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives

Making the most gains in average transaction prices from this time last year, Ford Motor Company's average prices were up 6 percent, as Ford jumped 6 percent and Lincoln rose 1 percent. The refreshed Edge led Ford's gains with a 6 percent increase, while the discontinuation of the Focus also helped boost average prices. At Lincoln, two recent refreshes drove the largest gains. The MKC with its updated grille posted an increase of 4 percent, while the Nautilus grew 6 percent over the MKX it replaced.

On the other hand, Hyundai-Kia prices were flat in April 2019, as Hyundai was flat, and Kia was down 1 percent. Hyundai was helped by the new Veloster, which was up 13 percent, as well as the Kona and its new EV model, which drove prices of the vehicle up 4 percent. Kia was hurt most by the Sorento, which was down 3 percent. The Genesis brand fell by 14 percent following the introduction of the G70 sedan as the new entry point in its lineup.

Segment	April 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	March 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	April 2018 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	Percent Change March 2019 to April 2019*	Percent Change April 2018 to April 2019*
Compact Car	$20,639	$20,521	$20,414	0.6%	1.1%
Compact SUV/Crossover	$29,350	$29,269	$28,532	0.3%	2.9%
Electric Vehicle	$55,681	$55,793	$61,330	-0.2%	-9.2%
Entry-level Luxury Car	$43,261	$42,955	$42,211	0.7%	2.5%
Full-size Car	$34,958	$34,940	$34,256	0.1%	2.0%
Full-size Pickup Truck	$50,253	$50,034	$47,779	0.4%	5.2%
Full-Size SUV/Crossover	$62,542	$62,484	$62,974	0.1%	-0.7%
High Performance Car	$102,539	$106,782	$104,425	-4.0%	-1.8%
High-end Luxury Car	$98,642	$98,282	$100,368	0.4%	-1.7%
Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car	$27,479	$27,405	$27,258	0.3%	0.8%
Luxury Car	$59,880	$60,139	$59,449	-0.4%	0.7%
Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover	$45,217	$45,054	$45,201	0.4%	0.0%
Luxury Full-size SUV/Crossover	$88,842	$88,144	$90,329	0.8%	-1.6%
Luxury Mid-size SUV/Crossover	$57,288	$57,584	$56,630	-0.5%	1.2%
Mid-size Car	$25,855	$25,890	$25,847	-0.1%	0.0%
Mid-size Pickup Truck	$33,822	$33,852	$33,315	-0.1%	1.5%
Mid-size SUV/Crossover	$38,015	$37,816	$37,949	0.5%	0.2%
Minivan	$34,908	$34,683	$34,411	0.6%	1.4%
Sports Car	$35,824	$35,673	$35,951	0.4%	-0.4%
Subcompact Car	$16,276	$16,279	$16,504	0.0%	-1.4%
Subcompact SUV/Crossover	$24,047	$23,926	$24,422	0.5%	-1.5%
Van	$34,918	$35,048	$34,509	-0.4%	1.2%
Grand Total	$36,843	$36,750	$36,111	0.3%	2.0%
*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives

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