Experts likely are just beginning to tally up how many used vehicles dealerships retailed in August. But ADESA chief economist Tom Kontos highlighted how many used vehicles were retailed through July as a part of his latest Kontos Kommentary.

Kontos reported that franchised and independent stores combined to retail 15,648,151 used vehicles through the first seven months of the year, representing a 12.3% drop from the 17,852,101 units that rolled over store curbs during that same span in 2021.

Looking at just certified pre-owned vehicles, Kontos indicated dealers turned 1,422,740 CPO units through July. That figure is down by 289,644 units or 16.9%.

“Retail used vehicle and certified pre-owned (CPO) sales continue to be soft, as inflation-conscious shoppers refrain from purchasing vehicles at historically high prices,” Kontos said in his latest analysis.

And, of course, the newest Kontos Kommentary included information about the wholesale market, too.

According to ADESA US Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of auction industry used-vehicle prices by vehicle model class, Kontos said wholesale prices in July averaged $16,284, which was down 4.3% compared to June but up 14.3% relative to July of last year.

That figure also represented a 42.2% spike versus the pre-pandemic reading in July 2019.

“Wholesale used vehicle prices in July were down for the second month in a row from their spring/tax-refund seasonal peaks, but they remain near their historical highs. Tight supplies continue to minimize the impact of dampening demand,” Kontos said.