FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

KBB: New-Car Prices Up 3.9% in January

The average transaction price for a new light vehicle sold in the U.S. was $36,270, down slightly from December but up 3.9% from the year-ago period.

by Staff
February 1, 2018
KBB: New-Car Prices Up 3.9% in January

 

2 min to read


The discontinuation of the Dart sedan helped average prices for a new Dodge rise 8% in January, according to the latest figures from Kelley Blue Book. Photo courtesy Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

IRVINE, Calif. — The analysts at Kelley Blue Book reported the estimated average transaction price (ATP) for light vehicles in the United States was $36,270 in January 2018. New-car prices have increased by $1,360 (up 3.9%) from January 2017, while dropping $486 (down 1.3%) from last month.

“January was a strong month for transaction prices, rising nearly 4% on average. The shifting sales mix to trucks and SUVs has been particularly extreme lately, and as volume shifts away from cars, the average vehicle price ticks up,” said KBB analyst Tim Fleming. “However, there was a glimmer of hope in the midsize car segment, where prices rose 3% in January, thanks to the newest generations of the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. These well-received new models, along with the redesign of the Nissan Altima due later this year, will test how much demand still exists for sedans.”

Ad Loading...

While American Honda and Volkswagen Group continue to strengthen their average transaction values, other noteworthy manufacturers include General Motors and Fiat Chrysler. General Motors was up 4% year-over-year, with GMC showing the most improvement. GMC’s average climbed 7%, with the redesigned Terrain as its best performer, up 6%. Buick also had a good month, up 5%, as the redesigned Enclave rose 9%.

Fiat Chrysler’s average jumped nearly 4% in January 2018 on a strong mix of RAM trucks and Jeep SUVs. The new Jeep Compass had the best month for Fiat Chrysler, rising 5%, although the Wrangler, which is due for a redesign early in 2018, was down 1%. Dodge rose an impressive 8%, an average that was helped by the discontinuation of the Dart sedan.

Topics:Showroom

More Showroom

Cars on road in European city
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 30, 2026

Electrifieds Lead EU New-Vehicle Sales

Hybrids in particular lead not only EV market share but all power trains on the continent so far this year as gas and diesel continue their decline.

Read More →
Hyundai steering wheel, black leather
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMarch 30, 2026

Hyundai Expands North American Footprint

Building on a previously announced $26 billion U.S. investment, Hyundai said it will grow its North American lineup and U.S.-based production and parts sourcing.

Read More →
Image of Honda 'H' emblem
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 25, 2026

Afeela EV Brand Fails to Leave the Factory

Sony-Honda venture cancels two planned models, the first of which had been pegged for a mid-2026 California delivery debut. The brand’s direct sales had been challenged by the state’s auto dealers, but the venture cites Honda’s EV retreat.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
row of SUVS in background with red and white text saying inventory with a down arrow and sales pace with an up arrow
Industryby Lauren LawrenceMarch 23, 2026

Used-Vehicle Sales Jump in February

Softening prices, rising credit availability and higher tax refunds could be behind February’s sales pace rise and accompanying dip in inventory, according to Cox Automotive.

Read More →
Graphic showing the wholesale weekly price index for 2- to 6-year-old vehicles
ShowroomMarch 17, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

The wholesale automotive market fared remarkably well given the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, Black Book analysts reported.

Read More →
Photo of line of new cars on a lot
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 16, 2026

FTC Targets Auto Dealers Over ‘Deceptive Pricing’

The agency sent warning letters to dozens of auto groups about what it described as illegal practices and urged them to ensure their pricing policies enable transparency with consumers.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
row of cars, used vehicle demand spikes, chart showing data spike, F&I and Showroom logo
Showroomby Lauren LawrenceMarch 11, 2026

Used Market Gains Speed

New-vehicle sales fell year-over-year for the fifth month in a row in February, making retail deliveries the slowest they’ve been since 2023, according to a CarGurus report.

Read More →
Ford pickup truck grill with company insignia
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 10, 2026

Ford Engineers Tinker With EV Cost, Range

The automaker says its California skunk works is already finding efficiencies to lighten traditionally heavy electric vehicles for lower cost, plus extended range.

Read More →
Graphic showing used-vehicle days to turn rate
Showroomby StaffMarch 10, 2026

Black Book: Weekly Market Update

Both vehicle values and conversion rates sped up last week as two segments outperformed in the pre-spring burst of buying.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of Chevrolet Bolt on a beach
Showroomby Hannah MitchellMarch 9, 2026

Economical Electric

GM says it sells the cheapest electric vehicle in the U.S. market. It explains how it made improvements to the entry-level EV while keeping its price down.

Read More →