New-Car Transaction Prices Up Nearly 2 Percent In February 2014, According To Kelley Blue Book

Honda, Acura Show Greatest Transaction Price Gains, Nissan Drops 2 Percent on Altima Sales

IRVINE, Calif., March 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As February comes to a close, the expert analysts at Kelley Blue Book www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new and used car information, today reports the estimated average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $32,160 in February 2014.  New-car prices have decreased by $64 (down 0.2 percent) from January 2014, while increasing $587 (1.9 percent) year-over-year. 

"In particular, Honda is seeing the greatest increase this month , thanks to strong numbers from its Acura brand, including the MDX, which jumped 10 percent in February," said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "Chrysler also revealed higher transaction prices, up nearly 4 percent from last year, on its larger mix of Jeep products and smaller share of Dodge, with the RAM brand also driving the manufacturer's gains."

"Nissan continues to decline, down 2 percent from last month and nearly 3 percent year-over-year," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "The brand's top-selling Altima has fallen nearly 4 percent since January 2014, and the Rogue also took a small hit in prices, down 1.3 percent month-over-month.  Each of these vehicles participate in fiercely competitive segments which has kept prices in check." 

The overall automotive industry is continuing its uphill climb from last year, as its closes in on the spring sale season.  Moving further out of the brutal winter weather, Kelley Blue Book anticipates shoppers will return to dealership lots to drive up sales as well as transaction prices for some brands, depending on incentive spend levels.

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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 Co., Inc. is a subsidiary of AutoTrader Group, which includes AutoTrader.com, vAuto, VinSolutions and HomeNet Automotive.  AutoTrader Group is a majority-owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises.

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