Retail Automotive Summary – December 2012

Tom Kontos on 2012 Adjustments in Wholesale Prices and What’s Next

Used vehicle prices are getting back to where they were before the “blip” caused by Superstorm Sandy, says Tom Kontos of ADESA Analytical Services. Prices are moving toward a softening pattern that started last Spring.

Newer used vehicles are holding up quite well, especially in the category of…

November wholesale prices averaged $9,554 and were down from October and a year ago, and the three hardest hit segments were…

Sales of certified used vehicles were up 0.9% month-over-month, but were way up year-over-year…

Click here to get a an overview of Tom Kontos’ take on what happened in 2012 for wholesale prices, and what’s next…

Motivation for Buying Used – Old Car Needed Replacement

In November Retail Automotive Summary, car needing replacement was strongest reason by far in buying used
Has dropped in past two years, while Change in Family Condition category has increased
Always Wanted One was dropping for years and recently has been seein uptick

Federal Court Dismisses American Petroleum Institute Lawsuit

Federal implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard is continuing to cause legal and battles. The American Petroleum Institute filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia against the Environmental Protection Agency for its decision to mandate the use of 1.28 billion gallons of biodiesel in 2013, a 28% increase from the 2012 requirement. "EPA's overzealous 2013 biodiesel mandate is unworkable, could raise the costs of making diesel fuel, and should be reduced," said Bob Greco, API group downstream director. "In its final rule, EPA admitted the costs of increasing the biodiesel volume requirement for 2013 outweighed the benefits by as much as $425 million."...

ROI Motor Carrier Fleets Have Been Experiencing from Fuel-Efficiency Programs

Transplace, a provider of transportation-management services and logistics technology, partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay program, PepsiCo, J.B. Hunt, Con-way, Western Express, Smith Transport, and Dart Transit to conduct a survey on return on investment (ROI) fleets are experiencing from implementing fuel-efficiency programs. More than 65 motor carrier fleets provided commentaries for the survey.

The highest ROI has come from highway speed reduction, driver training, and progressive shifting. Recording engine data for greater driver feedback is another initiative being implemented by surveyed carriers. Many carriers are implementing aerodynamic mirrors and verified low rolling-resistance tires.

Of the 65 respondents, 59 are SmartWay-verified carriers....