2015 ended with mixed results

[dropcap]A[/dropcap]verage Wholesale Pricing (AWP) improved overall in December. Prices rose for all street categories other than sport bikes over the prior 3-month average. In the off-road categories, MX bikes were stable, ATVs were down and side-by-sides rose. When compared to prior year’s AWP values, all street categories remained lower and all off-road categories were higher. As has been the case for much of 2015, this is due primarily to the model mix and older average age of vehicles sold. Auction interest and activity was strong in December, suggesting seasonal trends are on track for a healthy spring season.

When compared to NADA Clean Wholesale values, wholesale pricing trends remained generally in-line with seasonal averages, although they remained at slightly lower levels than prior years due to product mix. Regarding product mix, the overall mix by product category in Q4 ended up very similar to Q3, with domestic cruiser volume as the dominant category followed by sport bikes, metric cruisers, ATVs and other off-road products. The potential for domestic cruiser dealers to be influenced by OEM incentives now appears to be unlikely.

Overall, wholesale volume in December fell from the prior month and trended slightly below prior year averages due to the timing of the holiday season in 2015.
MSRP for 2015 models ended up mixed this year – average MSRP for domestic cruisers and MX bikes was flat to down from 2014, average MSRP for metric cruisers declined significantly, and average MSRP for sport bikes and side-by-sides increased, especially side-by-sides as more expensive models were introduced to the market. All MSRP averages are for units actually sold through the auction, so the average is driven by product mix and reflects what consumers have actually purchased and traded in or given up during the repossession process.

All data provided by National Powersport Auctions. For more information, please visit www.npauctions.com or call (888) 292-5339