According to Black Book® data, the average price of a used vehicle for model years 2009-2013 saw the largest monthly depreciation of the year so far at -2.0% during October. Domestic cars changed the most at -3.2%; import cars changed -2.3%; domestic trucks changed -2.1%; and import trucks changed -1.3%. Average pre-recession depreciation is historically between -1% and -2% monthly, and Black Book expects overall 2014 depreciation of -13.5%.

Two car segments saw at least -4.0% depreciation or greater during October, the Full-Size Cars (-4.0%) and the Compact Cars (-4.4%). The Full-Size Cars finished the month with an average price of $11,848, and vehicles in this segment include the Chrysler 300, Toyota Avalon, Chevrolet Impala and Nissan Maxima. The Compact Cars finished the month with an average price of $9,327, and vehicles in this segment include the Honda Civic, Chevrolet Cobalt/Cruze, Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus.

For the second straight month, the Compact Pickups led all truck segments with the lowest depreciation behind two van segments (Full-size Cargo Vans at 2.1%; Full-size Passenger Vans at 1.7%). The average Compact Pickups segment price at the end of October was $15,907, and vehicles in this segment include the Nissan Frontier, Mazda Pickup, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma.

Also for the second straight month, the Premium Sporty Cars led all car segments with the lowest depreciation rate at -1.6% in October (BMW 6 Series, Mercedes-Benz CL Class, BMW M6, Audi R8/S8, Mercedes-Benz SL Class, Cadillac XLR). The average segment price at the end of the month was $48,976.

Three of the five segments with the largest October depreciation – all car segments – fall in the more fuel-efficient category: Compact Cars (-4.4%), Entry-Midsize Cars (-3.5%) and Entry-Level Cars (-3.5%). According to Ricky Beggs, Editorial Director of Black Book, falling fuel prices are certainly having an impact on demand for fuel-efficient vehicles. “Entering November, fuel prices continued inching near $3.00 per gallon, causing a continued ripple effect across the entire automotive landscape. These prices are expected to fall further, placing extended demand concerns on smaller cars ahead of the Spring selling season after the new year.”

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. A leading provider 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 Business media, and the company maintains offices in Georgia, Florida, and Maryland.