January preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales volumes increased 16% 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 new year got off to a strong start for used truck retail sales, up 16% m/m, easily outpacing typical seasonality, which called for a decrease of 11% m/m,” according to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “On the other hand, preliminary auction activity decreased from December by 59%. In stark contrast, wholesale transactions mushroomed, increasing 22% y/y. Combined, sales contracted 31% m/m.”

“Declining new truck sales in Q4’24 are one possible factor that contributed to lower used truck sales in January. Weather, along with economic and political uncertainty, come to mind as potential causes,” Tam concluded.

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.