Skip Navigation to main content U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable EERE Home
Vehicle Technologies Program
 
About the ProgramProgram AreasInformation ResourcesFinancial OpportunitiesTechnologiesDeploymentHome

Fact #536: September 15, 2008
Average Used Car Prices Up and Used Light Truck Prices Down

The average wholesale price for all used light trucks dropped a total of 16.4% with full sized pickups dropping nearly 30%. The average wholesale price for used cars grew by 2.1% over the previous June. Sporty and upscale cars were the only car segments that experienced declines.

Average Used Car Prices Up and Used Light Truck Prices Down
Graph showing the percent change in the average wholesale used-vehicle prices for cars and light trucks from June 2007 to June 2008. For more detailed information, see the table below.
Average Wholesale Used-Vehicle Prices, June 2007 and 2008
Vehicle Classification Percent Change
May 2007 - May 2008
Cars
Small and Midrange 5.8
Sporty -8.6
Traditional 0.7
Upscale -8.6
Total Cars 2.1
Light Trucks
Small Pickups -10.6
Full-sized Pickups -27.3
Minivans -12.1
Full-sized Vans -10.9
Lower Midrange SUVs -17.7
Large SUVs -23.2
Other SUVs* -12
Total Light Trucks -16.4

Notes: Vehicle classification are based on Automotive News Market Classifications.
* Includes standard and premium crossovers and small, upper midrange and premium SUVs.
Source: Crain Communications, Automotive News, July 28, 2008, Page 26.

 

Return to 2008 Facts of the Week