Average New-Car Prices Up More Than 4 Percent Year-Over-Year for January 2019 on Tesla, Full-Size Trucks, According to Kelley Blue Book

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Feb 01, 2019, 06:00 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The analysts at Kelley Blue Book today reported the estimated average transaction price for a light vehicle in the United States was $37,149 in January 2019. New-vehicle prices increased $1,481 (up 4.2 percent) from January 2018, while decreasing $643 (down 1.7 percent) from last month.

"There are several factors contributing to strong average transaction prices, which climbed 4 percent year-over-year," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "First, Tesla has approached BMW and Mercedes-Benz U.S. sales numbers in recent months with even stronger transaction prices. Also, full-size trucks are more popular than they have been for over a decade, and the new Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra and Ram 1500 pickups helped drive prices up."

The shift away from passenger cars also is ongoing, and these buyers are either moving up to small utility segments or looking at used vehicles instead. While Cox Automotive expects new-car sales to slow in 2019, the good news for the industry is transaction prices remain strong without help from huge incentives.

Manufacturer	January 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	December 2018 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	January 2018 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	Percent Change December 2018 to January 2019*	Percent Change January 2018 to January 2019*
American Honda (Acura, Honda)	$29,341	$29,653	$28,663	-1.1%	2.4%
Fiat Chrysler (Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, RAM)	$39,484	$40,450	$37,590	-2.4%	5.0%
Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln)	$41,446	$41,575	$40,098	-0.3%	3.4%
General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)	$40,664	$41,166	$39,702	-1.2%	2.4%
Hyundai-Kia	$25,116	$24,995	$25,359	0.5%	-1.0%
Nissan North America (Nissan, INFINITI)	$29,819	$30,696	$29,135	-2.9%	2.3%
Subaru	$29,727	$30,080	$28,196	-1.2%	5.4%
Toyota Motor Company (Lexus, Toyota)	$33,258	$34,023	$32,298	-2.3%	3.0%
Volkswagen Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche)	$42,840	$41,588	$43,006	3.0%	-0.4%
Industry	$37,149	$37,792	$35,668	-1.7%	4.2%
*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives

Subaru had another strong month, as average transaction prices rose more than 5 percent, with the Crosstrek improving most at 7 percent. In addition, the redesigned Forester posted a 3 percent improvement year-over-year. The new Ascent SUV is helping the brand with average transaction prices close to $40,000. Finally, the Outback, now in the last year of its generation, was down 1 percent.

On the other hand, Hyundai-Kia prices fell nearly 1 percent for the month. Hyundai climbed 2 percent, but Kia dropped 1 percent. Hyundai was helped most by the refreshed Tucson, up 4 percent, and the new Veloster continues to impress, rising 9 percent. Kia was hurt most by the Soul, which was down 5 percent, as the next generation will be launching soon. The Genesis brand also fell 5 percent, following the introduction of the G70 sedan as the new entry point in its lineup.

Segment	January 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	December 2018 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	January 2018 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	Percent Change December 2018 to January 2019*	Percent Change January 2018 to January 2019*
Compact Car	$20,504	$20,433	$20,306	0.3%	1.0%
Compact SUV/Crossover	$29,039	$28,712	$28,454	1.1%	2.1%
Electric Vehicle	$62,402	$63,865	$60,899	-2.3%	2.5%
Entry-level Luxury Car	$42,419	$42,348	$42,193	0.2%	0.5%
Full-size Car	$35,327	$35,160	$34,487	0.5%	2.4%
Full-size Pickup Truck	$49,562	$48,740	$47,071	1.7%	5.3%
Full-size SUV/Crossover	$63,466	$63,336	$61,642	0.2%	3.0%
High Performance Car	$113,801	$111,480	$107,872	2.1%	5.5%
High-end Luxury Car	$96,423	$94,989	$100,236	1.5%	-3.8%
Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car	$27,653	$27,804	$26,924	-0.5%	2.7%
Luxury Car	$58,470	$57,331	$58,992	2.0%	-0.9%
Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover	$44,979	$44,327	$44,967	1.5%	0.0%
Luxury Full-size SUV/Crossover	$87,933	$88,030	$83,914	-0.1%	4.8%
Luxury Mid-size SUV/Crossover	$56,892	$56,575	$56,768	0.6%	0.2%
Mid-size Car	$25,951	$25,861	$25,868	0.3%	0.3%
Mid-size Pickup Truck	$33,287	$33,037	$33,101	0.8%	0.6%
Mid-size SUV/Crossover	$38,926	$38,890	$38,508	0.1%	1.1%
Minivan	$35,549	$35,766	$34,389	-0.6%	3.4%
Sports Car	$34,996	$35,060	$35,596	-0.2%	-1.7%
Subcompact Car	$16,273	$16,255	$16,228	0.1%	0.3%
Subcompact SUV/Crossover	$23,969	$23,793	$24,291	0.7%	-1.3%
Van	$32,939	$34,349	$32,926	-4.1%	0.0%
Grand Total	$37,149	$37,792	$35,668	-1.7%	4.2%
*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 market-reflective values on its top-rated website KBB.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In Values and Kelley Blue Book® Price Advisor tool, which provides a range for what consumers can reasonably expect to pay for a vehicle in their area. Car owners looking to sell immediately can also get a redeemable, transaction-ready offer with Kelley Blue Book^SM Instant Cash Offer. 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 is a Cox Automotive brand.

About Cox Automotive
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