By Phil LeBeau, CNBC Correspondent NEW YORK ( CNBC) -- Call it a sign of the wealthy in America being a little more cautious. Or call it a case where high-end car buyers are trading down so they don't spend as much for luxury cars and SUVs. Whatever you call it, it is clear sales of new models costing more than $75,000 have slowed down. J.D. Power's Power Information Network has tracked sales for the first half of this year and broke them down based on the transaction prices. In other words, what did customers actually pay before they drove off the lot. According to J.D. power, here's the data: Under $25,000 (up) 8.3% $25,000-$49,999 (up) 14.5% $50,000-$74,999 (up) 19.1% Above $75,000 (down) 3.7% Industry: (up) 11.5%
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For example, compare the BMW 5 series ($47,795) and BMW 7 Series ($71,895). Clearly, with the 7 Series, BMW buyers are getting a slightly larger sedan. An updated version of the car is rolling into showrooms this summer, but to quote one dealer, "The 5 series is so nice it made it very easy for the returning 7 series customer to downsize without a lot of compromise." That ultimately may be what the slowdown in luxury cars over $75,000 is all about. -- Written by Phil LeBeau at CNBC