MISSISSAUGA, Ontario -

Although there was a modest decline in the ADESA Canada Used Vehicle Price Index during May as well as a drop-off in wholesale values that exceeded 5 percent, there was some positive news to share about the nation’s overall economy during the month.

Analysts report that consumer confidence climbed sharply, unemployment rates were static and gas prices fell.

As for the used-vehicle market, in particular, ADESA’s data — powered by ALG Canada — indicates that the used price index in May fell “slightly” from the previous month on a seasonally adjusted basis. There was roughly a 5.6-percent month-over-month dip in wholesale prices, officials noted.

Breaking down price movements among segments, analysts found that full-pickups were the only vehicle category to show an uptick (up 4.2 percent). Midsize SUVs had the most significant drop (down 12.3 percent), while minivans softened 9.6 percent and midsize cars were off 6.6 percent.

There was a 5.8-percent dip for compact SUVs and a 4.7-percent decline in the mid-compact segment.

Sharing more overall economic analysis, officials noted: “The Canadian economy returned to fighting form in May — consumer confidence surged 5.8 points to 80.8 completely reversing last month’s relatively poor performance, the unemployment rate remained at 7.3 percent as losses in the construction industry were offset by gains in manufacturing, education and agriculture and national gasoline prices dropped by approximately $0.03 per liter to end the month at $1.27 per liter.”

They further noted that new-vehicle sales hit 175,716 units for the month, which was up close to 18 percent from May 2011. Sales through the first five months of 2012 have reached 695,452 units (up 8.2 percent).

“As has occurred in the previous four months, passenger car sales continued to represent a larger percentage of the growth for the month as compared to light truck sales,” officials commented.

“Overall, passenger car sales jumped 21.0 percent to 84,006 for May, while truck sales improved 15.2 percent to 91,710 units. Truck sales, nonetheless, represent 53.8 percent of all sales year-to-date,” they added.