New-Car Transaction Prices Climb More Than 2 Percent In May 2014, According To Kelley Blue Book

Strength in Small and Mid-Size Crossover Segments Help Boost Average Transaction Prices

IRVINE, Calif., June 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The expert analysts at Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the automotive industry, today report the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $32,307 in May 2014.  New-car prices have increased by $653 (up 2.1 percent) from May 2013, while decreasing $79 (0.2 percent) from last month. 

"Small and mid-size car share has declined slightly, as car shoppers opt for small and mid-size crossovers, helping boost this month's average transaction price," said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "Benefitting from strength among the crossover segment, the Acura MDX now comprises more than a third of Acura's sales, boosting the brand's transaction prices 5.5 percent year-over-year and helping keep Honda's overall ATP flat."

"Revealing a healthy average transaction price increase this month is Volkswagen Group, up 5.5 percent from last year," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "However, this is due to a decrease in the share of Volkswagen brand sales and a corresponding increase in Audi share.  Following the re-introduction of the entry-level A3 sedan, Audi's average transaction price is down 2.5 percent year-over-year, while the Volkswagen brand is relatively flat."

Among domestic brands, Chrysler Group reports the most impressive gain in average transaction prices at 4.8 percent from last year, with help from its RAM brand (up 6.4 percent).  The Chrysler brand also is up 7.6 percent, but this is primarily due to a lower mix of 200 sales since May 2013. 

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About Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com)
Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only 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 and Suggested Retail Values, and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new 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's KBB.com ranked highest in its category for brand equity by the 2014 Harris Poll EquiTrend^® study and has been named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year for three consecutive years.  Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a subsidiary of AutoTrader Group, which includes AutoTrader.com, vAuto, VinSolutions and HomeNet Automotive.  AutoTrader Group is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.

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SOURCE Kelley Blue Book

For further information: Chintan Talati, 949-267-4855, ctalati@kbb.com, or Joanna Pinkham, 404-568-7135, jpinkham@kbb.com, or Brenna Robinson, 949-267-4781, berobinson@kbb.com, or Natalie Kumaratne, 949-267-4770, nkumaratne@kbb.com