According to Black Book® data, the average price of a used vehicle for model years 2009-2013 continued a pattern of accelerating depreciation, with -1.5% overall value change in July compared with June activity of -1.0%. Domestic cars changed -2.5%; import cars changed -1.6%; domestic trucks changed -1.5%; and import trucks changed -1.0%. Average pre-recession depreciation is historically between -1% and -2% monthly, and Black Book expects overall 2014 depreciation of -13.5%.

After a strong spring and early summer where cars and trucks showed stable and strengthened retention rates, the recent summertime activity has shown accelerated depreciation patterns led in part by smaller and mid-size cars, as well as luxury cars.

Each of the twenty-four vehicle segments showed depreciation in July, with Full-Size Passenger Vans showing the strongest monthly retention rate of -0.3%. Compact Pickups were the next-strongest segment with -0.5% retention. Vehicles in this segment include the Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger and Toyota Tacoma. The average segment price at the end of July was $15,955, a -6.6% change from year-ago levels ($17,078).

For the second straight month, Premium Sporty Cars led all car segments with the lowest depreciation at -0.9% on the month. Vehicles in this segment include the BMW 6-Series, Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, BMW M6, Audi R8, Audi S8, Mercedes-Benz SL-Class and the Cadillac XLR. The average segment price at the end of July was $48,681, a -12.4% change from year-ago levels ($55,560).

Upper Mid-Size Cars led all segments with the highest monthly depreciation at -3.0%. Vehicles in this segment include the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry, Volkswagen CC, Buick LaCrosse, Volkswagen Passat, and the Ford Taurus. The average segment price at the end of July was $12,005, a -12.4% change from a year ago ($13,699).

Full-Size SUVs led all truck segments with the highest depreciation at -2.1% in July. Vehicles in this segment include the Nissan Armada, Jeep Commander, Dodge Durango, Ford Expedition, Toyota Sequoia, Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon. The average segment price at the end of July was $24,410, a -8.0% change from a year ago ($26,526).

Eleven of the thirteen strongest-performing segments during July were truck categories (Sporty Car -1.5%, Premium Sporty Car -0.9%).

“The market is beginning to feel the impact from incoming 2015 models and still-low fuel prices, which are combining to elevate depreciation levels especially for smaller car segments,” said Ricky Beggs, Editorial Director at Black Book. “We anticipate this trend of accelerating depreciation will continue through the rest of the year, with smaller cars and luxury segments seeing higher levels of depreciation.”

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.