Discounts, Incentives Stabilize New Vehicle Prices in November
Kelley Blue Book reports the average cost to buy a new vehicle was $38,393 last month, a 1% year-over-year increase restrained by frantic efforts to move 2019-MY inventory.

Average transaction prices for the Acura MDX fell by 7% year-over-year in November, one of a number of brands and models slowing the growth of new vehicle prices industrywide.
Photo courtesy American Honda Motor Co.
IRVINE, Calif. — The valuation analysts at Kelley Blue Book reported the estimated average transaction price for a light vehicle in the United States was $38,393 in November. New-vehicle prices increased $387 (up 1%) from November 2018, while climbing $106 (up 0.3%) from last month.
“Transaction prices rose only 1% as dealer discounts grew to move older inventory,” said Tim Fleming, analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “As retail sales slowed by more than 2% this year, vehicles are spending more time on dealer lots, about 80 days on average, which is five days longer than a year ago and the highest level seen since 2017. As a result, there are more discounts and incentives, especially now that the year’s end is approaching.”
New three-row SUV models and electric vehicles helped Hyundai Kia most.
Once again, Hyundai Kia showed the greatest improvement of all manufacturers, as its prices grew 10%. Interestingly, new three-row SUV models and electric vehicles helped the brands most. The Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride SUVs both transacted at more than $40,000 on average, while the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV helped boost these models’ average transaction prices by 8%.
American Honda prices fell by 2%, with Acura down 5% and Honda dropping 1%. The Acura MDX had the biggest decline for Acura at 7%, and the RDX, Acura’s top seller, dropped 2%. The Honda Clarity fell the most for the brand at 6%, while the Ridgeline also trended down by 6%. On a positive note, the Honda Civic was the automaker’s top performer, up 3%.
Originally posted on F&I and Showroom
More Dealer Ops

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →
Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half
A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.
Read More →