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 built on February’s momentum in March.
“The 9.8% m/m increase was directionally consistent with, but not quite as strong as, the expected 12% seasonal gain. March is the strongest sales month of the year, running 10% above average,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “The auction and wholesale markets both improved in March. Auction volumes rose 25% m/m on top of a second month of the quarter surprise. Wholesale dealer activity increased 40% m/m. Combined, March’s total market same dealer sales volumes were 29% higher m/m.”
“The Class 8 average retail sale price improved 1.6% m/m in March, rising to $56,128. Longer term, prices were 2.0% higher y/y,” 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
Preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales had their second-best month since November 2021 in March, according to the latest preliminary release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks published by ACT Research.
“The 9.1% m/m gain was not quite as large as expected based on historical seasonality, which called for a nearly 12% m/m increase. Auction sales improved by an even wider amount (+25%) in typical last month of the quarter fashion. Wholesale activity showed the greatest improvement, growing 34% m/m,” according to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Total reported preliminary sales finished March up 19% m/m. As freight growth gains momentum, equipment buyers appear a little more confident, encouraging them to invest in used trucks.”
“The preliminary average retail price (same dealer sales) of used Class 8 trucks held steady in March, adding 1.3% m/m to hit $55,591. Pricing also came in below seasonal expectations, which called for an almost 11% gain,” Tam concluded.
Compared to February 2026:
- Average retail volumes increased 10%.
- Retail price increased 2%.
- Miles was flat.
- Age was up 1%.
Compared to March 2025:
- Average retail volumes decreased 1%.
- Price declined 2%.
- Miles declined 3%.
- Age increased 1%.
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