IRVINE, Calif. -

As wholesale prices for luxury models softened in December, consumer shopping activity for these units strengthened.

Six of the top seven used-vehicle segments and the three leading individual models highlighted in the December Hot Car Report from Kelley Blue Book all came within the luxury category.

Premium sports cars paced KBB’s report as December shopping activity for these units jumped 7.5 percent year-over-year. However, the next six categories all were connected to some kind of luxury vehicle, including:

—Premium luxury car: up 6.9 percent
—Luxury crossover: up 4.8 percent
—Luxury SUV: 3.8 percent
—Compact luxury car: up 2.4 percent
—Entry luxury car: up 2.4 percent
—Luxury car: up 2.2 percent

Meanwhile, the three individual models that headlined KBB’s Hot Car Report all are luxury units. The 2010 BMW X5 led the way in December as shopping interest in the unit spiked 32.2 percent year-over-year.

Another BMW model wasn’t far behind as shopping activity connected with the 2010 3 Series rose 26.6 percent.
KBB added shopping activity for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class increased 20.1 percent year-over-year.

Potential buyer interest in these models should be welcomed news for used-car managers who have seen wholesale prices for these units soften in the lanes or online.

Manheim indicated luxury car prices dipped by 2.4 percent year-over-year in December. ADESA said these levels decreased by an even larger figure, 3.7 percent.

"The obvious factor motivating used-luxury shoppers is the desire to purchase a new vehicle," said Arthur Henry, manager of market intelligence at Kelley Blue Book. "However, there are a few dynamics that drive a person to purchase a used-luxury vehicle. Used shoppers are typically price-focused individuals, resulting from an inability to afford a new vehicle.

"A luxury shopper is normally searching for a vehicle that will appeal to their sense of social status and a desire for all the latest gadgets," Henry continued. "The combining aspects of 'used' and 'luxury' creates an interesting condition, because technology has a trickle-down effect from luxury to non-luxury during a short period of time.

"Therefore, used-luxury shoppers are individuals willing to sacrifice the opportunity to potentially purchase a non-luxury new car with the latest technology for the gratification of the status associated with driving a luxury brand," he went on to say.

While luxury topped KBB’s Hot Car Report, several kinds of cars and crossovers sustained a shopping activity drop last month. Activity for subcompact cars dropped 5.4 percent, and shoppers looking at compact crossovers and sports cars decreased 3.8 percent year-over-year.

And among individual models losing shopper activity interest last month, Mini units constituted three of the top 10, including the 2006 Cooper (down 20.4 percent) the 2009 Cooper (down 57.6 percent) and the 2010 Cooper (down 59.1 percent).

Other models that KBB found to have softening shopper activity last month included the 2010 Land Rover LR2 (down 40.4 percent), the 2008 Mazda Tribute (down 35.8 percent), the 2007 Ram Dakota (down 27.6 percent) and the 2007 Chevrolet Colorado (down 22.9 percent).

Beyond luxury units, here are the other units that gained shopper activity last month:

—2010 Chevrolet Tahoe (up 20.0 percent)
—2006 Hyundai Sonata (up 20.0 percent)
—2006 Toyota Corolla (up 15.8 percent)
—2010 Honda Odyssey (up 11.0 percent)
—2007 Toyota Camry (up 10.8 percent)
—2010 Lexus RX (up 10.7 percent)
—2010 Honda Accord (up 10.3 percent)

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