Managing inventory cycles, forecasting resale value, and anticipating demand are ongoing challenges for dealers and leasing companies. ACT Research delivers reliable, up-to-date data and accurate forecasts to help you navigate these complexities. With insights into Classes 5-8 vehicles, used truck values, and freight trends, we empower you to make proactive, data-driven decisions that enhance profitability and streamline operations in an evolving market.

What It Offers: Essential Market Intelligence for Dealers and Leasing Companies

ACT Research equips dealers and leasing companies with the insights needed to manage inventory, pricing, and demand across Classes 4-8 vehicles:

• Inventory Trends & Market Demand: Access data on production cycles, order backlogs, and inventory levels to support balanced stock management and optimize resale timing.
• Used Vehicle Pricing & Sales Data: Monthly reports on used vehicle values and sales trends, helping businesses set competitive prices and manage turnover.
• Economic and Freight Analysis: Comprehensive insights into economic and freight activity, informing leasing and purchasing strategies amid market changes.

Who Benefits?

Dealers and leasing professionals optimizing stock, pricing, and acquisition strategies to increase profitability and navigate market shifts effectively.

Updated September 17, 2025

In a Wait-and-See Market, Asset Providers Lean into Policy-Ready Solutions

With Class 8 orders lagging and prebuy cycles delayed, vehicle providers must focus on flexibility, policy readiness, and smarter asset strategies.

As of September 2025, the freight economy continues to grind forward at a slow pace—but it’s not idle. ACT Research’s NA Commercial Vehicle OUTLOOK and Freight Forecast show that Class 8 order activity remains sluggish, fleet confidence is muted, and OEMs are maintaining restrained production schedules.

For rental, leasing, and dealership operators, this creates a nuanced environment. Fleets aren’t buying aggressively, but they still need access to well-spec’d, compliance-ready equipment—just on their terms. Flexibility, not volume, is the name of the game.

Fleets Are Delaying Purchases, But Still Need Equipment

Fleets remain hesitant to commit to long-term capital purchases, primarily due to ongoing EPA 2027 regulatory uncertainty and tariff-driven price inflation, which has increased new tractor costs by an estimated 2–4% y/y, according to ACT data. As a result, many carriers are extending trade cycles, holding back on large orders, or shifting toward shorter-term, lower-risk asset strategies.

This creates a unique window of opportunity for leasing, rental, and retail providers. Short-term rental demand remains solid in peak-season corridors, but full-service leasing is gaining more consistent traction—especially among mid-sized and regional fleets looking to stay current without long-term exposure.

Dealerships offering creative financing, flexible specs, and compliance-focused asset packages are seeing higher levels of qualified interest, even if absolute volumes are down. The emphasis has shifted from “how many?” to “how adaptable?”

Leasing and Sales Strategies Must Reflect a Risk-First Mentality

In today’s market, fleets aren’t just acquiring trucks—they’re managing regulatory, financial, and operational risk. Asset providers who understand and address this mindset will earn loyalty now and growth later.

That includes:

• Shorter lease terms with upgrade or early-exit clauses
• Emissions-readiness packages tied to potential EPA 2027 timelines
• Maintenance-included contracts that de-risk compliance
• Trade-in support for older assets at risk of becoming noncompliant

On the retail side, dealerships focusing on regional, vocational, and day cab configurations are better aligned with current replacement trends. Sleeper tractors continue to face weak demand as long-haul volumes remain flat and fuel costs stay elevated.

Inventory Management Is Critical

Build slots are still available through late Q4, but orders are not filling as quickly as they did in past cycles. That puts pressure on providers to carefully manage inventory exposure, rotate aging stock, and move units where demand is still active.

ACT’s latest data shows reefer, vocational, and day cab tractors are maintaining relative strength. Conversely, long-haul sleeper tractors and high-spec premium builds are slower to move in the current environment.

Rental and leasing operators who can quickly reposition units across geographies, respond to infrastructure project demand, or deploy into seasonal freight upticks will outperform. This is a time to be nimble, not just stocked.

September is not a growth month—but it is a strategy month. Asset providers who double down on policy fluency, operational flexibility, and customer-centric solutions will not only weather the current softness but also gain early mover advantage when confidence—and orders—return.

Want to hear more from ACT Research? Analysts Lydia Vieth and Ann Rundle explain the current market and regulations, as well as their projections for future electric truck adoption, battery technologies, and beyond.

Want to hear more from ACT Research? Analysts Lydia Vieth and Ann Rundle explain the current market and regulations, as well as their projections for future electric truck adoption, battery technologies, and beyond.

Where's the electric truck market headed now? (12:56 minute watch)

Market Guidance for Dealers & Leasing Companies

Unlock the power to predict and prosper. ACT's precision analytics arm companies like yours with unparalleled foresight into market trends, enabling you to master market swings, navigate demand changes, manage inventory risk, and boost profitability . Get ahead, stay ahead, and turn market volatility into your competitive edge.