Canada’s used wholesale market continued its December pullback, with prices down 0.58 per cent for the week ending on Dec. 13. The pace of decline eased slightly compared with last week, but depreciation remains broad-based across segments, according to Canadian Black Book’s latest report.
Car values fell 0.46 per cent, roughly in line with the prior week. The sharpest drops were seen in sub-compact cars (-1.28 per cent) and full-size cars (-1.27 per cent), followed by sporty and luxury cars. Near-luxury, compact and premium sporty cars posted smaller declines, suggesting some stability in higher-quality inventory.
Truck and SUV segments slipped 0.52 per cent. Compact vans (-1.21 per cent) and full-size luxury crossovers/SUVs (-1.02 per cent) led losses, with full-size pickups also under pressure. Full-size vans, mid-size luxury crossovers and minivans were comparatively steady.
Overall, just under 73 per cent of monitored segments recorded average weekly value changes greater than ±$100. Auction conversion rates ranged widely, from 16 per cent to 74.6 per cent, averaging 35.3 per cent. While supply has normalized, sellers continue to hold firm on floor prices, and upstream channels retain priority access to inventory. Demand remains strongest for clean, late-model vehicles, including cross-border units.
At retail, pricing softened modestly. The 14-day moving average listing price dipped to $36,650, based on roughly 198,450 used vehicles listed on Canadian dealer lots.
As year-end approaches, dealers may notice that softer wholesale prices could create selective buying opportunities, while wide swings in auction conversion underline the importance of disciplined sourcing. Focus remains on condition, provenance and turn rates as consumers stay price-sensitive and floor prices remain sticky.
