Preliminary used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) rose 11 percent month-over-month in December, and are 25 percent higher year-to-date compared to 2019, 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 December of 2019, volumes gained 27 percent.
Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included month-over-month comparisons for December 2020, which showed that average prices increased 2 percent, while average miles dropped 1 percent and average age was 1% higher, compared to November. Year-to-date, average price, miles, and age were all lower, down 8 percent, 4 percent and 8 percent, respectively, compared to full-year 2019.
According to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research, “Months before COVID reared its ugly head, we were expecting the cooling that started mid-year in 2019 to continue into 2020. The market was overheated and in need of a much-deserved breather.” He continued, “While we are not yet officially forecasting used truck values, we called for full-year pricing to be down between 5 percent and 10 percent. December’s preliminary reading of - percent % falls squarely in that range.”
Tam added, “Pricing improved year-over-year in all three channels, with a restrained gain in the retail market keeping a lid on growth, while auction and wholesale price surged. Miles and age continue to support higher pricing, falling 8 percent and 9 percent, respectively, compared to 2019.”
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.