New-Car Transaction Prices Rise More Than 1 Percent In October 2015, According To Kelley Blue Book

Volkswagen Brand Reports Greatest Month-Over-Month Drop Amid Emissions Issue

IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The 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 $34,023 in October 2015.  New-car prices have increased by $458 (up 1.4 percent) from October 2014, while climbing $233 (up 0.7 percent) from last month. 

"Transaction prices continue to rise with several segments besting the industry average in terms of growth, including full-size SUVs, high performance cars, mid-size trucks and vans," said Akshay Anand, analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "From a brand perspective, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Lincoln, Ram and Subaru report superior month-over-month and year-over-year gains.  These brands had growth from different segments across their lineups, a promising sign given the increasing popularity of SUVs and trucks in the market."

One of the few brands to dip in average transaction prices from last month (down 3.6 percent) and year-over-year (down 1.8 percent) is Volkswagen. 

"In fact, Volkswagen had the largest month-over-month drop as the diesel emissions issue continues to impact the automaker," said Anand.  "Six out of the eight vehicles within its lineup were down from last month, while only the Golf is up from this time last year, potentially reflecting Volkswagen's need to offer their vehicles at slightly lower prices since consumer perceptions of the brand may be impacted."

As a whole, Volkswagen Group is down 1.6 percent from September 2015, but up 2.9 percent from last year.    

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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 Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new and used 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 2015 Harris Poll EquiTrend^® study and has been named Online Auto Shopping Brand of the Year for four consecutive years.  Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. is a Cox Automotive company.

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SOURCE Kelley Blue Book

For further information: Chintan Talati, 949-267-4855, chintan.talati@kbb.com, Joanna Pinkham, 404-568-7135, joanna.pinkham@kbb.com, Brenna Robinson, 949-267-4781, brenna.robinson@kbb.com, or Michelle Behar, 949-268-4259, michelle.behar@kbb.com