June preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales picked up 11% m/m in June, according to the latest preliminary release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks published by ACT Research.
“The gain was larger than expected based on historical seasonality, which called for a 2% m/m increase. Auction sales sank 22%, uncharacteristic compared to the normal 35% end-of-quarter surge,” according to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “The wholesale segment claimed the middle ground, shedding 12% m/m. Total reported preliminary sales finished May down 6.6% m/m. The significant disconnect in the auction market bears watching; the concern being that it could be a bellwether for the broader industry.”
“The preliminary average retail price (same dealer sales) of used Class 8 trucks made great strides in June, adding 5.0% m/m to top $61,000. Pricing once again easily defeated seasonal expectations, which called for no change,” 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 wilted sequentially, but made progress longer term.
“The 13% drop was directionally consistent with, but greater than, the expected 3% seasonal slide. May is the third weakest sales month of the year, running 5% below average,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “The auction and wholesale markets were mixed in May. Auction volumes surged 79% m/m, not unusual as the segment recovers from its first month of the quarter hangover. Wholesale dealer activity shriveled 14% m/m. Combined, May’s total market same dealer sales volumes rose 11% m/m.”
“The Class 8 average retail sale price slipped 0.7% m/m in May, to $59,422. Longer term, prices were 5.2% higher y/y,” Tam explained.
He concluded, “While some carriers are leaving the business, there appears to be a steady stream of those willing to throw their hats into the ring. These willing participants account for the increase in used truck sales volumes the market is currently enjoying.”
Compared to March 2026:
- Average retail volumes decreased 3%.
- Retail price increased 4%.
- Miles declined 1%.
- Age declined 2%.
Compared to April 2025:
- Average retail volumes increased 3%.
- Price increased 2%.
- Miles increased 1%.
- Age declined 1%.
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