Used-car acquisition decisions may be shifting again.

Wholesale data from Cox Automotive shows compact cars among the strongest year-over-year used segments, while used EV values are also higher than a year ago. At the same time, national gasoline prices are running roughly a dollar per gallon above last year.

That matters because used inventory decisions are often based on what sold well during the previous 60 or 90 days.

If fuel costs remain elevated, customers may increasingly prioritize efficient compact cars, hybrids and selected EVs while becoming more price-sensitive toward larger SUVs and pickups.

Should used-car managers be changing stocking guides faster in response to fuel prices?

Or are gasoline-price swings too temporary to justify meaningful changes in acquisition strategy?