Wholesale Prices Decline Slightly in February

By Jonathan Smoke
Cox Automotive

Wholesale used vehicle prices (on a mix-, mileage-, and seasonally adjusted basis) decreased 0.11 percent month-over-month in February. This brought the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index to 135.2, a 3.2 percent increase from a year ago.

Looking at trends in weekly Manheim Market Report prices, February saw continued price depreciation similar to what we saw in January and at the end of last year but by the end of February, prices started to stabilize. Three-year-old vehicle values in aggregate depreciated at a faster pace than normal adding to the weak start of the year, but the most recent week points to stronger prices in March.

On a year-over-year basis, all major market segments saw seasonally adjusted price gains in February. As was the case throughout 2018, more affordable vehicles continued to see the greatest increase in values in February. Midsize cars outperformed the overall market, while utility vehicles and pickups underperformed the overall market.

Mixed retail results for vehicle sales in February

According to Cox Automotive estimates, used vehicle sales volume was up two percent year-over-year in February. We estimate the February used seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) to be 39.4 million, up from 38.6 million last February and up from January’s weaker 38.8 million rate.

Unlike the used market, the new vehicle market showed no signs of improvement in February over January. February new vehicle sales were down 2.4 percent year-over-year, with the same number of selling days compared to February 2018. The February SAAR came in at 16.5 million, down versus last year’s 16.9 million. Cars continue to see declines, as sales in February fell 10.6 percent compared to last year. Light trucks outperformed cars in February, finishing the month up 1.6 percent year-over-year.

Combined rental, commercial, and government purchases of new vehicles were up 3.5 percent year-over-year in February, and up 25.8 percent month-over-month. Rental (up five percent) and government (up two percent) fleet channels were up year-over-year in February. New vehicle retail sales were down four percent in February, leading to a retail SAAR of 13.0 million, down from 13.5 million last February.

New vehicle inventories came in above 4 million units for the first time in 10 months.

Rental risk pricing weakens

The average price for rental risk units sold at auction in February was up 0.8 percent year-over-year. Rental risk prices were down 1.0 percent compared to January. Average mileage for rental risk units in February (at 44,800 miles) was down three percent compared to a year ago and down five percent month-over-month.

Slowing economic growth but rebounding confidence

The fourth quarter’s real GDP growth rate was first estimated at 2.6 percent, which was stronger than the consensus expectation of 2.2 percent. A key reason for the better-than-expected growth was an increase in inventories as worries about trade pushed manufacturers and retailers to boost orders. Consumer spending slowed to 2.8 percent, down from last year and Q3. Consumer Confidence rebounded in February from the declines in December and January brought on by the government shutdown. The overall index increased to 131.4 from 121.7.