Average New-Car Prices Up Nearly 4 Percent Year-Over-Year for May 2019, According to Kelley Blue Book

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Jun 03, 2019, 12:17 ET

IRVINE, Calif., June 3, 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 $37,185 in May 2019. New-vehicle prices increased $1,320 (up 3.7 percent) from May 2018, while decreasing $208 (down 0.6 percent) from last month.

"Although May's sales tally is expected to be down, the good news is that average prices for those sales rose nearly 4 percent from one year ago," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "SUVs bounced back in May 2019 and drove many of those increases for automakers, especially those with new and redesigned models on dealer lots. However, with this expected to be the fifth down month in a row, the question for this year remains whether automakers will start to trade some of their pricing power for greater incentives and more sales."

Manufacturer	May 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	April 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	May 2018 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	Percent Change April 2019 to May 2019*	Percent Change May 2018 to May 2019*
American Honda (Acura, Honda)	$28,568	$28,813	$28,232	-0.9%	1.2%
Fiat Chrysler (Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, RAM)	$40,021	$40,238	$37,578	-0.5%	6.5%
Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln)	$41,612	$41,887	$39,786	-0.7%	4.6%
General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)	$41,489	$41,812	$40,915	-0.8%	1.4%
Hyundai-Kia	$25,781	$25,800	$25,024	-0.1%	3.0%
Nissan North America (Nissan, INFINITI)	$29,454	$29,302	$29,427	0.5%	0.1%
Subaru	$29,829	$30,181	$28,233	-1.2%	5.7%
Toyota Motor Company (Lexus, Toyota)	$33,711	$33,722	$32,553	0.0%	3.6%
Volkswagen Group (Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche)	$42,964	$42,961	$41,544	0.0%	3.4%
Industry	$37,185	$37,393	$35,865	-0.6%	3.7%
*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives

Fiat Chrysler had another strong month, posting more than a 6 percent increase, thanks to RAM and Jeep. RAM prices were up nearly 5 percent on the strength of the RAM 1500 and the new RAM 2500. Meanwhile, Jeep prices also were up 5 percent, as the Wrangler was up 7 percent. In addition, the Gladiator pickup showed a strong launch skewed greatly toward the Rubicon trim, with average prices in the high $50,000 range.

Subaru has another strong increase, as average transaction prices rose by 5 percent, with the new Ascent SUV helping the brand's average the most. In addition, the redesigned Forester posted a 4 percent year-over-year increase.

Segment	May 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	April 2019 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	May 2018 Transaction Price (Avg.)*	Percent Change April 2019 to May 2019*	Percent Change May 2018 to May 2019*
Compact Car	$20,830	$20,780	$20,540	0.2%	1.4%
Compact SUV/Crossover	$29,421	$29,460	$28,476	-0.1%	3.3%
Electric Vehicle	$55,028	$52,483	$61,269	4.8%	-10.2%
Entry-level Luxury Car	$42,975	$43,230	$42,065	-0.6%	2.2%
Full-size Car	$35,250	$35,358	$34,664	-0.3%	1.7%
Full-size Pickup Truck	$49,997	$50,149	$48,401	-0.3%	3.3%
Full-Size SUV/Crossover	$63,043	$63,217	$63,440	-0.3%	-0.6%
High Performance Car	$99,108	$99,760	$102,671	-0.7%	-3.5%
High-end Luxury Car	$101,242	$100,242	$100,033	1.0%	1.2%
Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car	$27,223	$27,398	$27,510	-0.6%	-1.0%
Luxury Car	$58,515	$59,128	$59,136	-1.0%	-1.1%
Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover	$44,912	$45,163	$44,899	-0.6%	0.0%
Luxury Full-size SUV/Crossover	$89,581	$90,256	$89,645	-0.7%	-0.1%
Luxury Mid-size SUV/Crossover	$59,443	$59,822	$55,986	-0.6%	6.2%
Mid-size Car	$25,775	$25,859	$25,741	-0.3%	0.1%
Mid-size Pickup Truck	$34,387	$34,665	$33,394	-0.8%	3.0%
Mid-size SUV/Crossover	$38,017	$37,846	$37,801	0.5%	0.6%
Minivan	$35,600	$35,680	$34,234	-0.2%	4.0%
Sports Car	$36,499	$36,883	$35,846	-1.0%	1.8%
Subcompact Car	$16,538	$16,590	$16,538	-0.3%	0.0%
Subcompact SUV/Crossover	$24,320	$24,185	$24,446	0.6%	-0.5%
Van	$35,453	$35,335	$34,746	0.3%	2.0%
Grand Total	$37,185	$37,393	$35,865	-0.6%	3.7%
*Kelley Blue Book average transaction prices do not include applied consumer incentives

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