According to the latest numbers from ACT Research, used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) and average sale price fell sequentially in January, down 7% and 6% month-over-month, respectively.

On the other hand, average miles were up 4% m/m and average age reported a 3% uptick from December, ACT Research says. Longer-term, same dealer sales volumes were up 19% y/y against January of 2020, while average price was virtually flat with a 1% y/y contraction, average miles changed by a similar amount in the opposite direction, up just 1% y/y, and average age was 2% lower compared to January of 2020.

“Many of the conversations we had with dealers since last month’s publication focused on the weather rather than the market,” said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research. “While it is normal for sales to be below average in February, the severe winter storms that blasted much of the country in February made selling used trucks more of a challenge than it usually is during the month. Aside from the weather, the tone remains positive, with observations that all market segments seem to be doing well.”

Looking at the different sales channels for used Class 8 vehicles, Tam said, “Channel results were uniformly negative in the short-term, but mixed for longer-term time period comparisons, with retail sales making progress, but auction and wholesale activity lower than a year ago.”