ACT Research: April Used Truck Metrics Show Volumes, Price and Miles Down M/M, Age Up
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 dropped 15% month-over-month in April, with longer-term sales dropping 7% year-over-year compared to April 2019, but holding onto an 8% year-to-date gain. The report also indicated that used Class 8 average price and miles fell from March’s levels, down 4% and 2%, respectively, with average age 2% higher than the previous month. Longer term, average price, miles and age all contracted year-over-year, as well as year-to-date, down respectively from the first four months of 2019 by 17%, 1%, and 5%.
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.
“Most dealers are reporting used truck sales have slowed and inventory levels are building, particularly for late model aerodynamic sleepers,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “Despite slowing sales, dealers are still selling trucks and doing okay, with sales of used vocational trucks strong.” Tam added, “The problem dealers have is finding used dump or trash trucks that are ‘on the money’ and in decent condition. Another challenge with these trucks is differing state weight laws, meaning a dump truck that works well in one state may not work in another state.”
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. 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. Both in-person and livestream options are available for those who wish to participate. Click here for seminar information.
Click here for more information about ACT’s US Used Classes 3–8 Truck Report.
To learn more about other publications offered by ACT Research, click here.
