ACT Research: Preliminary Used Truck Same Dealer Retail Sales Increased 2% M/M in February

Preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales volume managed a small gain, rising 2% m/m in February. The small improvement paled in comparison to the 233% sequential increase in auctions sales and a 55% jump in wholesale transactions. Combined, the used truck industry saw preliminary same dealer sales increase 49% 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.

Compared to January 2023:

•  Average retail volumes increased 2%.
• Retail price declined 3%.
• Miles were flat.
• And age declined 3%.

Compared to February of 2022:

• Average retail volumes declined 20%.
• Price declined 24%.
• Miles increased 3%.
• And age declined 2%.

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.

According to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research, “Traditionally, February is not a particularly robust month for sales, but the cycle seems to keep finding ways to extend itself just a little further.” He continued, “As new truck sales have slowed in January and February, it is safe to assume used truck volumes will follow suit in the next few months.”

Tam concluded, “As expected, declines are becoming progressively more negative. This is the result of the fact that prices increased in early 2022, reaching their zenith in April. While the retail market held up reasonably well in February, the preliminary average sale price for all units, including auction and wholesale transactions, fell an astounding 20% m/m.”

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.

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