Black Book, a division of Hearst that provides industry-leading used vehicle valuation and residual value forecast solutions, released its Used Vehicle Retention Index for March showing that it fell -1.2% on the month registering 112.0 and down from 113.3 during February. The Index has now changed -0.9% over the last twelve months (113.0). Click here to obtain a copy of the latest index data.

The Black Book Used Vehicle Retention Index is calculated using Black Book’s published Wholesale Average value on two- to six-year-old used vehicles, as percent of original typically-equipped MSRP. It is weighted based on registration volume and adjusted for seasonality, vehicle age, mileage, and condition. The Index offers an accurate, representative, and unbiased view of the strength of today’s used vehicle market values.

Despite a healthy start to the spring selling season, the Index still saw a slight dip from the previous month. Small car segments saw increases during the month, such as Compact Cars (1.4%), and Subcompact Cars (0.8%). Segments showing declines included Full-Size Crossover/SUV (-1.7%), Compact Crossovers (-0.9%), and Full-Size Pickups (-1.2%).

“We continue to see pockets of increases in the Index, with particular concentration on car segments that have been in demand throughout the spring selling season,” said Anil Goyal, Executive Vice President, Operations. “We’re continuing to keep an eye on evolving trends in truck segments that have shown stable price increases in the recent years, but are now starting to show declines.”

The Index dates back to January 2005, where Black Book published a benchmark index value of 100.0 for the market. During 2008, the index dropped by 14.1% while during 2016, the index fell by just 6.4%. During 2011, the index rose strongly from 113.3 to 123.0 by the end of the year as the economy picked up steam and used vehicle values rose higher. It continued to remain relatively stable, rising slightly until May of 2014 when it hit a peak of 128.1.

To obtain a copy of the latest Black Book Wholesale Value Index, please click here. 

About Black Book

Black Book® is best known in the automotive industry for providing timely, independent and accurate vehicle pricing information, and is available to industry-qualified users through online subscription products, mobile applications and licensing agreements. Since 1955 Black Book has continuously evolved to ensure that it achieves its goal of delivering mission-critical information to its customers, along with the insight necessary to successfully buy, sell, and lend. Black Book data is published daily by National Auto Research, a division of Hearst, and the company maintains offices in Georgia, Florida, and Maryland as well as the Canadian Black Book in Toronto. For more information, please visit BlackBook.com or call 800.554.1026.