According to the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research, used Class 8 same dealer sales volumes were up 6% year-to-date against the first half of 2019, with average price, miles and age all below June 2019 ytd rates, down 15%, 2%, and 7%, respectively. Near term, the report also indicated that used Class 8 sales volumes rose 50% sequentially, with average price down 1% month-over-month, average miles up 1% month-over-month, and average age flat compared to May.
The report from ACT 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.
Additionally, ACT Research has created an easily accessible COVID-19 MARKET WATCH webpage to track noteworthy high frequency macroeconomic and transportation-specific market indicators, which can be found at https://pages.actresearch.net/covid-19.
“Despite the numbers above, some dealers reported that used truck sales have slowed and continue to be at a lower level than last year and pre-COVID-19,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “Used trucks were oversupplied before and have been since late 2019. That said, and not surprisingly, some dealers are reporting stronger sales and better customer interest in the last 30 days, while another contingent of dealers is reporting very slow market conditions.” Tam concluded, “Stories have surfaced that some trucks selling at auction are bringing better prices than expected, but auctions can be deceptive, as prices via this channel can be higher or lower than expected, depending on who attends any given sale.”
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.
ACT’s 63rd seminar is scheduled for August 11-13, 2020, and is being offered via livestream for those wishing to participate. Focused on the road to recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the event will feature dealer, alternative power, and economic panels, as well as discussions on near-term demand of North American commercial vehicle markets and the pending impact of alternative power on the market in the near future.
SOURCE: ACT Research
