GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

As the number of average daily price adjustments stayed strong, rising gas prices kept Black Book editors busy last week.

Managing editor Ricky Beggs pointed out that during the past six weeks, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline has risen by a total of 29 cents to $3.64 per gallon.

“I hope the level of movement for the last week at 14 cents doesn’t continue at that rate,” Beggs stressed during his latest online video analyzing the wholesale market, “Beggs on the Used Car Market.”

Beggs acknowledged,“It is hard to say if gas price fluctuation is causing any of the changes we are reporting. The luxury SUVs continued their strong decline, but at the same time, two of the three more fuel-efficient car segments had the strongest percentage declines for the week.”

Overall, Black Book determined that average car prices softened by $50 a week ago, the smallest amount of decline seen in the past five weeks. Prices for prestige luxury cars ticked only $8 lower as compared to a previous drop of $61.

Beggs mentioned prices for premium sporty cars also held up much better last week, dropping by $75 last week after tumbling by $123 two weeks ago.

Looking back a year ago, Black Book recapped that prices for premium sporty cars and compact cars proved to be the strongest segments, dropping just $36 and $11, respectively.

Turning over to the truck segments, editors indicated prices have been “pretty steady and consistent” during the past three weeks with the overall average segment change coming in at a decline of $47 this past week. A year ago, the level of change represented a $53 decline.

Black Book said prices for compact pickups ended their two-week run of increasing values, dropping this past week but only by $11.

There was still one truck segment that moved up for the week as prices for full-size crossovers ticked $10 higher.

“The luxury SUVs continue to need some significant adjustments as three of the past four weeks have been declines of greater than $111; this week at $151,” Beggs shared.

“The fourth week was close to the hundred-dollar level, coming in at (negative) $99. It’s interesting that a year ago the largest declining segment was also the Luxury SUVs at $139,” he continued.

Black Book editors averaged 2,026 vehicle prices changes per day throughout last week.

“The activity within the market has kept the editors on their toes this past week,” Beggs stated. “The number of necessary adjustments and the level of those adjustments tell me there is still a need for additional inventory for some models, while other models are slightly less in demand as reflected in the level of declining adjustments and values.

“Please also take note that when a change was necessary, the amount, both up and down, is what I would term as fairly strong levels of change,” he continued. “If the value was an increase from the previous published value, the $126 average amount shows the need for some models for inventory or for a certain buyer.

"Those models with declines in value were for vehicles that may not be as popular or maybe just not as well equipped, and had an average change of $133,” Beggs went on to say. “In comparison to the market changes of this time last year from Aug. 1 through the end of September, the average increases were $114 and $129 for those going down in value.”

All of that price movement left Beggs wondering, “Is this an indication of the market ahead for the next couple of months?”

Beggs wrapped up his latest wholesale analysis by sharing a recent trip to the Motor City with Kevin Giddens, Black Book’s senior truck editor. The pair visited with Ford officials and took in the 2013 Ford C Max Hybrid.

Beggs said the vehicle “has a feel and look that should get attention from many buyers looking for great fuel economy, a green impression, and impressive functionality at a reasonable transaction price.

“Only a month or so from retail sale, this car would be worth considering if you have been thinking alternative fuel or hybrid,” he continued. “Now we must put all of the market data from this segment of vehicles, along with the editor insights together as we project the residual values on this new player in the market for the leasing and financial businesses.”

Beggs video can be viewed below.