Preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales improved 24% m/m in February, according to the latest preliminary release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks published by ACT Research.
“The jump was larger than expected based on historical seasonality, which called for a 6% m/m increase. Auction sales improved by an even greater margin (+128%) following their first month of the quarter blues. Wholesale activity also improved, adding 25% m/m,” according to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Total reported preliminary sales finished February 54% higher than January. Rather than signaling a surge in demand, the uncharacteristically strong showing seems to indicate a catch-up from weather-related softness in January’s weak showing.”
“The preliminary average retail price (same dealer sales) of used Class 8 trucks pulled back again in February, slipping 1% m/m to $53,969. Pricing was counter to seasonal expectations, which called for a 6% gain,” Tam concluded.
State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks Report Overview
ACT’s Classes 3-8 Used Truck 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.
ACT Research Overview
ACT Research is recognized as the leading publisher of commercial vehicle truck, trailer, and bus industry data, market analysis and forecasts for the North America and China markets. ACT’s analytical services are used by all major North American truck and trailer manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as banking and investment companies. ACT Research is a contributor to the Blue Chip Economic Indicators and a member of the Wall Street Journal Economic Forecast Panel. ACT Research executives have received peer recognition, including election to the Board of Directors of the National Association for Business Economics, appointment as Consulting Economist to the National Private Truck Council, and the Lawrence R. Klein Award for Blue Chip Economic Indicators’ Most Accurate Economic Forecast over a four-year period. ACT Research senior staff members have earned accolades including Chicago Federal Reserve Automotive Outlook Symposium Best Overall Forecast, Wall Street Journal Top Economic Outlook, and USA Today Top 10 Economic Forecasters. More information can be found at www.actresearch.net.
Additional Resources
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. The 12% m/m decrease was directionally consistent with, but greater than, the expected 6% seasonal drop.
“January is usually the second weakest sales month of the year, running about 6% below average,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “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 Class 8 average retail sale price slid 3.4% m/m in January, falling to $55,308. Longer term, prices were down a similar percentage (-3.5%) y/y,” Tam explained.
Compared to December 2025:
- Average retail volumes declined 12%.
- Retail price decreased 3%.
- Miles increased 5%.
- Age was flat.
Compared to January 2025:
- Average retail volumes decreased 25%.
- Price declined 3.
- Miles declined 1%.
- Age increased 3%.
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