Used Class 8 truck same dealer sales volumes improved for the third consecutive month; on a year-over-year basis, sales volumes were up 1 percent, according to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research.

The report also indicated the average price of total used Class 8 trucks rose 3 percent year-over-year, while average mileage was up 1 percent and the average age of used Class 8 trucks dropped 4 percent compared to the same time in 2017.

“Dealers are reporting that used trucks are selling much better than they were six months or a year ago,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Finance companies are also reporting stronger used truck sales. Late model used aero dynamic sleepers are starting to sell better, which is good news to dealers, but despite this, there are still more of those units in inventory than there are buyers for them.”

Individual market segments yielded mixed results in March.

“Retail and auction segments reported solid improvements, with volumes up 4 percent and 11 percent year-over-year, respectively. The wholesale market, however, fell 8 percent from March 2017, as wholesalers are struggling to find units to sell,” Tam said. “Looking forward, we expect volumes to lose some steam as spring progresses and for full-year sales to remain at or slightly above 2017 levels.”