GAINESVILLE, Ga. -

Although Ricky Beggs conceded again the seasonal wholesale price softening hasn’t been as noticeable this autumn as previous years, the Black Book managing editor noticed several adjustments pop up last week for the first time this year.

During the latest “Beggs On The Used Car Market” video report, the Black Book analyst revealed just 8 percent of last week’s adjustments were increases. Beggs said that was the lowest level of 2010.

For those adjustments that showed declines in value, Beggs mentioned the amount of decrease was the largest in the past five weeks at $169.

Black Book also determined the overall wholesale average adjustment change came in at a drop of $146. Beggs calculated that change was almost double the previous week’s level, which was a drop of $77.

That overall adjustment change also was the largest weekly decline for all of 2010.

“These adjustments were the results of an average of 1,138 vehicles adjusted each day throughout the week,” Beggs noted.

Moving on to a discussion of price changes by vehicle segment, Beggs determined car prices slid $84, a level quite similar to what Black Book reported during the previous three weeks. It almost reached Black Book’s greatest decline for cars so far in 2010. That mark came on Jan. 15 when cars posted a drop of almost $88.

When looking in more detail for the various car segments, Black Book revealed this past week was the first one with three unique segments declining more than $100. Those segments were prestige luxury cars (down $180), premium sporty cars (down $122) and luxury level cars (down $114).

Beggs pointed out two car segments didn’t drop as much as the overall average for the vehicle type. Those two were full-size cars and the upper midsize cars, which both slipped $46 last week.

Turning over to trucks, Beggs mentioned the overall decline for these units was slightly elevated from the previous three weeks at almost $60. It turned out to be the third-largest single-week decline of 2010. Black Book spotted a $78 decline for trucks back on Jan. 8.

What Beggs described as a another sign of typical fall seasonal market conditions was two truck segments dropping by more than $100 in the same week. It’s the first time in the last three months that’s happened. Those two truck segments were luxury SUVs (down $135) and full-size crossovers (down $128).

“Both previously had weekly declines over $100, but not during the same weekly reporting period,” Beggs declared.

On a more stable segment type, Black Book reported full-size cargo vans increased for the third consecutive week, but this time by just a minuscule $1.

Beggs used the rest of his video report to discuss what else Black Book is analyzing.

“This past week the editors were able to publish the initial market driven values on 11 2010 used vehicles,” Beggs stated. “These cover a variety of very limited volume models.

“Even when a limited volume vehicle doesn’t show in the auction lanes, the Black Book editors, using their industry experience, data comparisons and vehicle relations, along with a possible occasional auction result, will publish a guideline value for remarketing, purchasing or financing,” he continued. “These ‘First Values’ are available in all of the used Black Book electronic products and are identified as such.”

Beyond the usual work in the auction lanes, Beggs also shared his firsthand analysis of two fresh vehicles from Nissan and Ford.

Beggs offered what he encountered last week when looking over the Nissan LEAF and the 2011 Ford F-150.

“This past week we had great conversations with some astute analysts from a manufacturer, while also participating in a new product presentation for two exciting new vehicles,” Beggs began.

“We had the opportunity to drive another electric car — the Nissan LEAF,” he continued. “The 2011 F-150 trucks with four all new engines deliver increased base engine horsepower as well as increased towing capabilities and expected real-world increases in fuel economy levels.

“These presentations give added insight as we make important residual value projections for the finance and leasing industries,” Beggs went on to note. “We will pass along more on these new models at a later time.”

Beggs wrapped up his latest update by mentioning what else dealers can look to be coming from Black Book.

“As we head into November, please notice an update to the low/excessive used mileage charts and adjustments,” Beggs insisted.

“Within the electronic products, there are now additional higher mileage range adjustments to better reflect the mostly late model higher mileage level vehicles,” he went on to say.

“This was requested by some remarketers within the fleet management companies who often have these type units,” Beggs continued. “Thanks for your insight and suggestions. Please give us a call if you have any questions regarding these revised mileage adjustments.”

To view Beggs’ video report, visit here.