Are Used Vehicle Sales in Trouble for 2019?

Photo of Chris Lange
By Chris Lange Updated Published
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
Are Used Vehicle Sales in Trouble for 2019?

© Tramino / Getty Images

Analysts at J.D. Power Valuation Services noted that the used vehicle market continued its sluggish start to the new year in its latest Used Car and Light Truck Guidelines Industry Update.

The J.D. Power Valuation Services Seasonally Adjusted Used Vehicle Price Index declined 1.3 points — relative to January — to 116.1. February’s decline marked the sixth consecutive month of declines in the used market and is a trend that is expected to see more throughout 2019 as used vehicle prices are expected to decline relative to 2018.

In non-index terms, wholesale prices of used vehicles up to eight years in age fell by 1.5% in February relative to January. February’s performance was the month’s worst result in the past 20 years and only the second time there has been a material decline in prices during that time. The other time prices fell in February was back in 2017.

[nativounit]

As for the full-year 2019 expectations, the used market is expected to slow. With January and February’s weaker-than-expected performances, 2019’s outlook has worsened. As a result, prices are forecast to fall by around 3%. Increasing levels of used supply, along with more volatile credit conditions and increasing gasoline prices, are expected to apply downward pressure on the used side of the market.

David Paris, an executive analyst at J.D. Power Valuation Services, commented:

With January and February’s weaker than expected performances, 2019’s outlook has worsened. As a result, prices are forecast to fall by around 3%. Increasing levels of used supply along with more volatile credit conditions and increasing gasoline prices which are expected to apply downward pressure on the used side of the market.

[recirclink id=536455]

[wallst_email_signup]

Photo of Chris Lange
About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

DDOG Vol: 25,965,709
FTNT Vol: 18,103,294
AXON Vol: 2,559,408
PAYC Vol: 2,186,304
VTRS Vol: 34,749,886

Top Losing Stocks

ZTS Vol: 29,979,722
TPR Vol: 6,457,514
CTRA Vol: 73,319,495
TER Vol: 4,998,084
JBL Vol: 1,753,325