STAMFORD, Conn., and BANDON, Ore. -

The rest of 2012 will likely see continued strength in used-car pricing, but there could be some “downward pressure” in the near future, according to the RVI Group.

Explaining the anticipated strength in used prices for the remainder of the year, RVI said: “This is due to an expected increase in new-car competition and decrease in used-car stock through the remainder of 2012.”

Then things potentially change a bit.

“After 2012, there will be downward pressure on used-car prices due to softening new-car prices, increases in new-car competition and increasing used-vehicle stock,” officials noted.

RVI is calling for used prices for full-year 2012 to jump 4.8 percent from 2011, but the coming years will show flatness, they say.

Analysts said that next year, “We expect to see steady prices because increased competition and declines in new-car pricing offset declining used-vehicle stock.”

In fact, officials are projecting the same RVI Used Car Price Index (1.459) for full-year 2012 as they are for 2013. The index is projected to climb 0.3 percent year-over-year in 2014 then remain steady the next two years before falling 0.3 percent in 2017, RVI indicated.

Sharing the firm’s latest measure of used-vehicle prices, RVI’s index for May was 1.463, which was down 0.9 percent month-over-month and up 4.2 percent from May 2011. RVI also pointed out that on an annualized basis, there has been a 17.4-percent drop in auction volume so far this year.

Looking at a more recent period, NADA Used Car Guide provided the most recent AuctionNet data to Auto Remarketing, indicating a widespread decline in used prices.

Similar to last week’s wholesale price data, all the segments NADA tracks were expected to experience declines over the course of the current week.

Why the continued downward spiral?

NADA Used Car Guide officials noted that slowing demand related to seasonality, as well as rapidly falling gasoline prices, are both contributing to wholesale prices softening.

In fact, as the pennies begin to fall off prices at the gas pump, this trend is helping to pressure down used prices for compact cars and midsize cars in the lanes, NADA UCG continued. For a more in-depth look at the wholesale price segments NADA UCG tracks, see Monday’s Auto Remarketing Today.

Used-Vehicle Supply

Turning over to the supply side of the used-vehicle market, CNW Research offered some in-depth analysis in its latest Retail Automotive Summary.

For four straight months, the supply of used trucks was more plentiful for dealerships than their inventory of used cars. Now, that trend is reversing course in June, according to CNW.

Days’ supply of cars is at 45.62 this month, compared to 44.01 days for trucks. If this trend holds, it would be the first month since January that car supply has been heavier than truck supply.

CNW president Art Spinella noted that “trucks are now in shorter supply than cars, a reversal of recent trends. The outlook for inventory control between cars and trucks will remain murky as long as a solid energy policy remains in limbo and the Mid-East continues to be trouble on the horizon.”

Overall, used supply is at 46.18 days this month, up from 44.27 days in May and up 2.78 percent year-over-year. Used supply for the Big 3 is at 44.51 days, with Asian brands at 46.29 days and Europeans at 45.71 days.

“Used days’ supply figures show a slight increase as dealers struggle to find the balance between what they’re paying at wholesale and what the public is willing to spend on a vehicle,” Spinella indicated. “Inventory control has become a major issue because softer gasoline prices have made economy cars more of a drag on sales.”

Editor’s Note: Staff Writer Sarah Rubenoff contributed to this report.