Class 8 same dealer used truck sales volumes dropped in April, breaking a three-month run of double-digit gains, according to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks by ACT Research. Total volumes for the dealers in ACT’s sample continue to show modest improvement for long-term comparisons. “All three market segments posted short-term declines,” said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research. “Longer term, results were mixed, with retail maintaining a lead over last year and year-to-date.”
Used Class 8 exports closed a surprisingly strong first quarter with the highest March number on record. Relative to the first quarter of 2016, total exports are up significantly year-to-date. “Some of the early spring bump may be attributed to a subtly softer U.S. dollar, which is helping relieve pent up foreign demand,” noted Tam.