According to the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks by ACT Research, the Class 8 average retail sale price gained 2.3% m/m in July. On a y/y basis, prices were up 12%.
“The used truck market finds itself in an interesting predicament these days. On the new truck side of the business, the industry has produced and consumed trucks at above replacement rates for seven years running. The net result is excess capacity,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “Faced with declining demand, the OEMs have responded by laying off workers and reducing output. But without a meaningful increase in freight, it will take time to consume the unused capacity. Fewer new trucks rolling off the assembly line means reduced trade activity, somewhat alleviating concerns about excess used truck inventory. This seems to be helping used truck valuations.”
“In addition, at least some portion of the increases the industry has seen in new truck prices is carrying over into the secondary market. Along with used truck demand stemming from traditional new truck buyers turning to late-model, low-mileage used trucks as substitutes for new trucks, the used truck pricing environment appears to have turned the corner,” Tam explained.
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
July preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales volumes recorded a solid gain in July, up 5.5% m/m, according to the latest preliminary release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks published by ACT Research.
“The market continued to outperform historical seasonality, which called for a scant 0.5% m/m increase,” according to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Piling on to June’s out of sync performance, auctions pulled back 27% m/m in July. Wholesale transactions withered by a similar margin, moving 26% fewer units in July.”
“Total reported July preliminary sales were down 10%. Spot freight market capacity tightened for a fifth consecutive month in July. At the same time, freight growth has failed to materialize. Declining freight may be one catalyst for lower sales,” Tam concluded.
Compared to June 2025:
- Average retail volumes decreased 6%.
- Retail price jumped 2%.
- Miles increased 4%.
- And was flat.
Compared to July 2024:
- Average retail volumes were down 12%.
- Price increased 12%.
- Miles declined 3%.
- And age was flat.
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