May preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales could not keep pace with April’s activity, down 13% 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 decline was larger than expected based on historical seasonality, which called for a 3% m/m decrease. Auction sales surged 79%, directionally consistent with, but more than suggested by, historical expectations. The wholesale segment mirrored retail softness, giving up 19% m/m. However, ytd retail sales were down just 0.7%, with total sales increasing 2.9% ytd,” according to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Total reported preliminary sales finished May up 9.4% m/m. The fact that the total market is in sync with seasonal expectations is a welcome testament to the long-awaited balance and stability of the current market.”
“The preliminary average retail price (same dealer sales) of used Class 8 trucks was steady in May, slipping a narrow 0.6% m/m to land at $59,601. Pricing easily defeated seasonal expectations, which called for more than a 5% decline,” Tam concluded.
State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks Report Overview
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.
ACT Research Overview
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.
Additional Resources
According to the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks by ACT Research, same dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales faltered a bit but do not give cause for concern.
“The 3.3% m/m decline was directionally consistent with, but not quite as strong as, the expected 11% seasonal drop. April is the sixth strongest sales month of the year, running 2% below average,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. He continued, “The auction and wholesale markets were mixed in April. Auction volumes sank 52% m/m, as is normally the case for the first month of the quarter. Wholesale dealer activity edged 6.1% higher m/m. Combined, April’s total market same dealer sales volumes were 23% lower m/m.”
“The Class 8 average retail sale price improved 4.2% m/m in April, rising to $59,122. Longer term, prices were 1.9% higher y/y,” Tam explained.
Compared to March 2026:
- Average retail volumes decreased 3%.
- Retail price increased 4%.
- Miles declined 1%.
- Age declined 2%.
Compared to April 2025:
- Average retail volumes increased 3%.
- Price increased 2%.
- Miles increased 1%.
- Age declined 1%.
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