June 08, 2001 (The Editor’s Desk is updated each business day.)

No change in new vehicle prices in 2000

Prices paid by consumers for new vehicles were unchanged in 2000, following a 0.3-percent decrease in 1999.

Percent change in the Consumer Price Index for new vehicles, 1990 to 2000
[Chart data—TXT]

The Consumer Price Index for motor vehicles last increased in 1996, when it rose 1.8 percent. In 1997, prices of new vehicles fell by 0.9 percent—the first decline since 1971. Following that decrease, prices were steady in 1998.

These data are from the BLS Consumer Price Index program. For additional information on consumer price changes, see "Consumer inflation higher in 2000," by Todd Wilson, Monthly Labor Review, April 2001. Annual percent changes are December-to-December changes.