According to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research, used Class 8 retail volumes (same dealer sales) were down 10% month-over-month. Average price and miles were down 1% and 0.4%, respectively, compared to July, with average age down as well 7% m/m. Longer term, average price was higher y/y and ytd, as were average miles and age, with price up 69% ytd July, average miles 3% higher compared to the first seven months of 2021, and average age 6% older for the same time period.

“Same dealer retail sales of used Class 8 trucks took a nose-dive in July,” said Steve Tam, vice president, ACT Research. “Historically, used truck sales are typically flat from June to July, so it is a safe bet the decline is a reflection of softening freight, particularly in the spot market.”

The report from ACT 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.

“Since the advent of the global pandemic, and now with the Ukraine war, seasonality has become less of a factor in explaining month-to-month variation in sales volumes,” Tam added. “Rather, development in areas such as economics, freight, and new truck production and sales are playing a much larger role when it comes to the used truck market.

“As the economy and freight begin to cool from their torrid pace over the past two years, it is logical and expected to see demand for commercial vehicles, both new and used, slow.”