Preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales could not stretch their expansion streak to three months in September (-1.1% 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 did outperform historical seasonality, which called for a 3.0% m/m decrease. September brought the usual end of quarter volume explosion for auctions, which jumped 51% m/m. Wholesale transactions were also stronger adding 38% m/m in September,” according to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Total reported September preliminary sales were up 19%.”
“The preliminary average retail price (same dealer sales) of used Class 8 trucks faltered for a second month in September, slipping 1.9% m/m to $55,745. September’s decline was directionally consistent seasonally, but deeper than the expected 0.5% dip,” 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 increased for the first time in five months in August.
“The 11% m/m gain was better than expected on a seasonally adjusted basis. August is typically the second best sales month of the year, running more than 8% above average,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “The auction market turned in a respectable performance that was counter to its expected decline. Auction volumes floated 3.4% higher m/m in August. The wholesale channel saw its largest sequential gain since February 2024 in August, adding 35% m/m. Combined, total market same dealer sales volumes climbed 11% m/m in August.”
“Even though summer does not officially end until late September, used truck sales typically exit the summer (and spring) doldrums in August. Clearly August did not disappoint this year, at least from a unit volume perspective. Industry participants should interpret this as a positive sign, especially in light of all the noise in the economy and commercial vehicle market these days,” Tam explained.
Compared to July 2025:
- Average retail volumes increased 11%.
- Retail price declined 7%.
- Miles was flat.
- Age increased 3%.
Compared to August 2024:
- Average retail volumes increased 2%.
- Price declined 1%.
- Miles declined 1%.
- Age increased 5%.
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