COLUMBUS, Ind. — According to the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks by ACT Research, same dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales returned to sequential decline in January.
“January is usually the second weakest sales month of the year, running about 6% below average,” said Steve Tam, vice president, ACT. “The auction and wholesale markets also both cooled in January. Auction volumes shriveled 56% m/m in typical first month of the quarter fashion. Wholesale dealer activity was off 10% m/m. Combined, January total market same dealer sales volumes trailed December by 31%.”
The 12% m/m decrease was directionally consistent with, but greater than, the expected 6% seasonal drop.
“The Class 8 average retail sale price slid 3.4% m/m in January, falling to $55,308,” Yam said. “Longer term, prices were down a similar percentage (-3.5%) y/y.”
ACT’s Used Classes 3-8 report provides data on the average selling price, miles, and age based on a sample of industry data. In addition, the report provides the average selling price for top-selling Class 8 models for each of the major truck OEMs – Freightliner (Daimler); Kenworth and Peterbilt (Paccar); International (Navistar); and Volvo and Mack (Volvo). This report is utilized by those throughout the industry, including commercial vehicle dealers, to gain a better understanding of the used truck market, especially as it relates to changes in near-term performance.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
