GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

Last week, something was spotted in the wholesale market that hasn’t been seen in four months, according to Black Book.

Managing editor Ricky Beggs said that there was an overall drop-off in the car segments’ values, certainly a rare occurrence in recent times.

What’s more, this marks the first time in almost four months that both the truck and car sides of the market posted overall declines, he noted.

“In a major reversal of recent trends, this is the first week the overall change in average value declined for both the car and truck groups since the week ending Feb. 25, 2011,” Beggs pointed out.

“With all of the activity and need for quality used vehicles, this is the second consecutive week where the percentage of adjustments with increases came in the sub 40-percent range,” he added. “This pattern was last present back in November 2010 when there were back-to-back weeks at 11-percent and 21-percent increases.”

Breaking it down by segments, Beggs noted that four segments were up in value. The greatest increase was seen in the entry sporty car segment (up $12), while entry midsize cars were down the most ($44).

On the truck side of the market, the overall change was a downward movement of $37. This represents the heftiest decline in about seven months, Beggs pointed out.

Just two segments — compact SUVs (up $60) and compact pickups (up $31) — showed price gains. The largest decline was in the full-size crossover segment, whose values were off $147.

Offering some more overall commentary, Beggs noted: “With comments heard this week along the lines of ‘retail is slow’ to ‘many bidders are holding back,’ ‘a market adjustment is in process’ and ‘trucks are still soft,’ I am not surprised at the number and type of adjustments our experienced editors are making every day.”