KBB: Transaction Prices Rise Nearly 3% YOY in September
U.S. consumers paid, on average, $34,372 for a new light vehicle in September, up 2.5% from a year ago but down 0.2% from August, KBB reported this week.
IRVINE, Calif. — U.S. consumers paid, on average, $34,372 for a new light vehicle in September, up 2.5%, or $823, from a year ago but down 0.2%, or $82, from August, Kelley Blue Book reported this week.
Nearly every brand realized year-over-year gains in their average transaction price in September compared to a year ago. Nissan North America — which includes Nissan and Infiniti — recorded the highest increase, with its average transaction price rising 5.6% from a year ago. The only brand to record a decline compared to a year ago was Volkswagen, with its average transaction price falling 3.4%.
By vehicle segment, mid-size pickup trucks showed the biggest increase in transaction price, rising 5.7% from a year ago to $32,350. Showing the biggest decrease was electric vehicles, with their average transaction price falling 5.4% from a year ago to $40,480.
“Much of the automotive industry’s focus recently has been on rising incentives and very little sales growth, however, average transaction prices continue to rise across the industry, climbing nearly 3% in September 2016 from the previous year,” said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “This trend has been bolstered by the shift in consumer preference from cars to crossovers and SUVs. Mid-size trucks also stand out as a segment on the rise, with sales up double digits and transaction prices rising nearly 6%, on average, to $32,350.”
More Auto Finance

Automotive Consumers Sink Further in Debt
Most financing metrics hit records in the second quarter as more buyers locked themselves into long terms and high monthly payments.
Read More →
Porsche Financial Services Shifts Structure
After 36 years with Porsche, the Financial Services Chief Financial Officer Konrad Riedl is retiring, and the department is realigning its management structure.
Read More →
Tariffs Could Raise Insurance Premiums
As U.S. import tariffs affect repair costs, consumers might find it more affordable to replace a damaged vehicle, according to recent Insurify tariff analysis.
Read More →
Smaller Loans, Longer Terms
The youngest generation of car buyers is more likely to finance less expensive vehicles, more than half of generation Z consumers borrowing less than $25,000.
Read More →
New Cars a Tad More Affordable
May averages show that combined circumstances gave auto consumers slightly better buying power for the month, though average prices were up year-over-year.
Read More →
First-Quarter Sees Long Auto Loan Growth
Experian data show more consumers are tapping the method, along with refinancings, to afford buying. Meanwhile, subprime borrowers are getting more access.
Read More →
Mastering Credit Friction
In this video, Josh Krach explains how to turn credit friction into an advantage.
Read More →
April Less Affordable
Based on prices, reduced incentives and slower household income growth, consumers found it more challenging to buy new last month, Cox Automotive reported.
Read More →
Auto Lenders, Consumers on a Tightrope
April borrowing data shows that more consumers are bending over backward to buy vehicles, though subprime lending cooled off for the month.
Read More →
Toyota Financial Services President Replaced
Scott Cooke has served in various roles with Toyota Financial Services for over 20 years, including president and CEO, which he retires from on June 30.
Read More →