The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

New-Car Transaction Prices up Nearly 1.5 Percent in March 2014


new car buyers

IRVINE, CA--April 1, 2014: Heading into the spring selling season, Kelley Blue Book today report the estimated average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States was $31,995 in March 2014. New-car prices have increased by $450 (up 1.4 percent) from March 2013, while decreasing $185 (0.6 percent) from last month.

"We are seeing continued year-over-year gains in average transaction prices. The increase in prices have been enough to offset rising incentive spend and consumers have consistently shown they are willing to spend top dollar for the best models available, so the first focus for manufacturers should remain on building solid products," said Karl Brauer, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book. "Much like last month, American Honda is particularly strong with help from Acura, which is up 5.9 percent from last year. The MDX is driving powerful sales, increasing its average transaction price and boosting the brand. Honda also is benefitting from a stronger mix of Odyssey and CR-V in the marketplace."

Manufacturer

March

2014 Transaction Price (Avg.)

February

2014 Transaction Price (Avg.)

March  2013 Transaction Price (Avg.)

Percent Change February 2014 to March

2014

Percent Change March 2013 to March 2014

American Honda (Acura, Honda)

$28,454

$28,364

$27,278

0.3%

4.3%

Chrysler Group (Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, RAM)

$32,018

$31,953

$31,063

0.2%

3.1%

Ford Motor Company (Ford, Lincoln)

$34,372

$34,436

$33,808

-0.2%

1.7%

General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC)

$35,006

$35,357

$34,389

-1.0%

1.8%

Hyundai-Kia

$24,310

$24,394

$23,776

-0.3%

2.2%

Nissan North America (Nissan, Infiniti)

$27,697

$27,876

$28,577

-0.6%

-3.1%

Toyota Motor Company (Lexus, Scion, Toyota)

$30,882

$30,903

$30,199

-0.1%

2.3%

Volkswagen  Group (Audi, Volkswagen)

$34,467

$34,028

$33,605

1.3%

2.6%

Industry

$31,995

$32,180

$31,545

-0.6%

1.4%

"Revealing the only drop among all major automakers from this time last year, Nissan has fallen due to its best-selling Altima, which has a transaction price down 4.8 percent year-over-year," said Alec Gutierrez, senior analyst for Kelley Blue Book.  "The Rogue, which was recently redesigned, only shows a small 0.9 percent grain, while Nissan's luxury counterpart, Infiniti, is essentially flat."