New-Vehicle Price Inflation Disappearing
Pandemic-induced ATPs receding as inventories, incentives ascend.

Automaker incentive spending rose in July for the 10th month in a row to its greatest since October 2021.
IMAGE: Pixabay/Andreas 160578
The upward pandemic-era pressure on new-vehicle prices appears to have finally subsided, as July’s year-over-year average price increase was the smallest in a decade, Kelley Blue Book says.
It found further confirmation of the milestone in the January-through-July transaction price decrease of 2.7%, which it said it the biggest fall of that period in a decade.
July’s average new-vehicle transaction price was $48,334, down 0.7% month-over-month and up $199 from a year earlier, the Cox Automotive company said.
Inventories that have steadily increased this year from pandemic-era lows, along with rising incentives, are affecting the rebalancing. Automaker incentive spending rose in July for the 10th month in a row to its greatest since October 2021 for a $2,148 average, or 4.4% of the ATP. That’s up from 2.4% year-over-year.
“New-vehicle price inflation has all but disappeared in 2023,” said Cox Automotive Research Manager Rebecca Rydzewski. “New-vehicle prices, primarily driven by cuts in luxury and electric vehicles, are decreasing as inventory is steadily improving.”
Average nonluxury new-vehicle prices alone fell nearly $500 month-over-month in July to $44,700, up just 0.5% year-over-year, though they’ve held steady since January. Just one model was selling for less than $20,000, though, unlike before the pandemic: the Mitsubishi Mirage, Kelley Blue Book said.
Meanwhile, average luxury prices fell $192 month-over-month to $63,552, a nearly 3% year-over-year decrease and down by more than 5% since the year started. The decline was helped along by more than 19% cuts in prices at Tesla, which Cox considers the luxury market leader.
Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today
More Industry

Charger Network Growth Slows
Despite a projected increase in public EV chargers in 2026, charging infrastructure remains a top concern for consumers as the gap between the most and least EV-friendly places remains substantial.
Read More →
Lenders, Consumers Take on More Auto Loan Risk
September records loosened credit access the most in over a decade as buyers took advantage of the conditions to afford trading, though loan applications fell.
Read More →
Next-Gen Hybrids in Sight
Dealerships can expect to see revamped hybrids from Honda next year as the company rolls out a new system and model lineup.
Read More →
Gem State Stores Change Hands
A larger auto group founded in the industry’s early years sold two franchises to a neighbor group that's on a growth spurt.
Read More →
Charging In Motion
Honda has been researching wireless in-motion charging for electric vehicles since 2025, and new technology developments have put it a step closer to a final product.
Read More →
Twin Cities Stores Sell
Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.
Read More →
U.S. Auto Sales Still Below Prepandemic Levels
Mobility Global industry observers don’t expect the market to return to the higher volumes that became routine before Covid but to stay well below its potential.
Read More →
The Powertrain Shift
Electric-vehicle owners are backpedaling, according to new data, with product availability driving many to shift back to gas-powered engines.
Read More →
Achromatic Autos
The shades that dominate the U.S. car market don’t call attention to themselves, though grayscale may have plateaued after a 30-year upswing, research shows.
Read More →
Used-Vehicle Affordability Worsens
Listing prices in August defied seasonal trends, rising above $27,000 for the second time this year.
Read More →