US Light Vehicle Sales in May 2013

  • Bounce-back in fleet volume from April helped May 2013 new vehicle sales.
  • But sales were driven more by large trucks and cross/utility vehicles.
  • Those segments pushed light-truck penetration for month to 50.8%, 1st time since 2007 that more than half of May’s deliveries were trucks.
 

A Bird’s Eye View of Retail and Wholesale Used Car Market Trends

  • Used Car Market Reports has been showing reports from both facets of the remarketing arena – retail and wholesale used car prices and volumes.
  • Art Spinella and CNW Research reported on May 2013 retail used car sales trends – main message was volume was up but value was down.
  • Franchised and independent dealers and private party sales saw volume go up nearly 2% versus a year ago, but used vehicle values slipped.
  • Value of used cars sold slipped 3.4% to $39.2 billion versus $40.56 billion last year due to lower transaction prices.
  • Dr. Ira Silver and National Auto Auction Association reported on first quarter 2013 auction results.
  • During that time, an increase in dealer consignment was offset by decline in commercial consignment and overall auction sales volume declined 0.4%.
  • While down from increase in Q4 2012, recent monthly figures show significantly more strength with February through April period up over 3% from 2012.
  • As commercial consignment volume strengthens this year, total volume gains are expected to accelerate.
 

Remarketing Hybrid Electric Vehicles a Good Way to Go, Says Three Reports

  • There have been about two million hybrid vehicles sold in the US market since their launch about 12 years ago, with about 415,000 on the used vehicle market.
  • Edmunds.com, Kelley Blue Book, and Black Book have commented on the segment. While their values aren’t as strong as gasoline prices dip, they’ve still been a very good source for used vehicle sales.
  • There’s market demand for dealers that can service and maintain these vehicles and its does need the right service technician training.
  • Their retained value has been stronger than plug-in electric vehicles.
  • Black Book also took a look at where hybrids have been going in value reten­tion, and also found strong results for the seg­ment – but recommends that you pay careful attention for realistic forecasts for value retention for each hybrid model.
  • The used vehicle offerings are varied now in the hybrid segment, making it more appealing for consumers to shop for hybrid choices.

 

 

People, Payments, Parts, and Petroleum

When we asked Dave to tell us where he was cutting costs, he said, "I tend to look at fleet pretty simply. I call it the four 'P's: people, payments, parts, and petroleum. Those are the four big buckets of money that we have." As the director of a public utility fleet consisting of 15,000 pieces of equipment, Dave manages those four big buckets very well indeed. And we were most eager to talk with him about his extensive experience with alternative fueled and electric vehicles.

 

US Hybrid Electric Vehicle Sales – 2011 to 2013

  • 2013 has been a year of steady decline in retained value for used-car hybrid market, according to Kelley Blue Book
  • In 2012 and 2011, market saw fuel prices spike in Q1 and Q2, which subsequently led to spikes in hybrid market
  • Ramp-up in fuel prices in 2013 has not been as strong and hybrid prices have not appreciated