Volkswagen Diesel Vehicle Prices Decline Nearly 16 Percent, According To Kelley Blue Book Data

New-Car Shopping Activity Also Impacted by Recent Emissions Issue

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- 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 reports that average auction prices, along with new-car shopping activity on KBB.com, for Volkswagen diesel vehicles have declined four weeks after the diesel emissions issue was announced. 

The average auction price for Volkswagen diesel models dropped by nearly 16 percent since the news broke of the emissions crisis.¹ The average auction price for the brand's gasoline-powered vehicles declined by 2.9 percent.¹ On KBB.com, Volkswagen new-car shopping activity for affected TDI models has decreased on average by 2.4 percent.

"According to Kelley Blue Book Field Analysts, some auctions are still holding off on selling the affected Volkswagen inventory," said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "While Volkswagen diesel auction prices are in decline, we could see larger fluctuations depending on how this inventory is handled."

Volkswagen Site Metrics from Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com*

• The Volkswagen Golf SportWagen and Golf have seen the most significant declines in shopping activity, with decreases of 6.2 percent and 3.7 percent respectively.
• The Audi A3 and Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen are the only TDI models seeing increases in activity, at 1.6 and 3 percent respectively, which is consistent with segment-level traffic on KBB.com.
• Audi A3 shoppers are increasingly cross-shopping competing luxury models following the announcement. The most highly cross-shopped vehicles are the Lexus NX, BMW 2-Series and Mercedes-Benz CLA. ^**

* Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com Site Traffic, Comparing September Pre- (Weeks of August 31-September 13) and Post- (Weeks of September 14-October 18) Announcement Data. Please note: Data is compiled weekly (Monday-Sunday).
** Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com Cross-Shopping Data for Week of October 12-18, 2015

"During the past four weeks following the emissions announcement, traffic to KBB.com has generally decreased after an initial surge in interest for Volkswagen diesel models, likely because of the stop-sell and negative press," said Arthur Henry, senior manager of Strategic Insights for Kelley Blue Book. "Interestingly, with regard to cross-shopping data, consumers are not looking at fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles.  For example, shoppers interested in the Jetta TDI are looking to the Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Ford Fusion as alternatives, according to cross-shopping data from KBB.com."

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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.

¹ Source: Kelley Blue Book Auction Data Sources, Comparing September Pre- (September 1-September 18) and Post- (September 21-October 16) Announcement Data.

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SOURCE Kelley Blue Book

For further information: Media Contacts: 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; Michelle Behar, 949-268-4259, michelle.behar@kbb.com