ACT reported volumes of used Classes 3-8 truck sales reversed their slide into negative territory in December. Volumes were consistent among channels on a sequential basis. All three segments, auction, retail and wholesale, saw improvement relative to November’s activity. However, all three segments continued to lag on a year-over-year basis. The update on the used market was reported in the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, published by ACT Research.

 “The industry continues to look to improving new truck sales to provide some much needed relief for the used truck inventory shortage,” said Steve Tam, vice president-commercial vehicle sector with ACT. “Concerning pricing, our expectation remains unchanged. We believe year-over-year pricing growth will continue to slow. Prices will not necessarily fall, but just grow at a slower rate,” he added.

In a separate report, ACT said the commercial trailer sector ended 2011 on solid footing and is well positioned for the third year of growth in the current cyclical recovery. Net orders for total trailers grew 38% year-over-year, while build jumped 69%. This update on industry performance was reported in the latest State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co. (ACT) January 25, 2012.
 
 “Following some mid-year sponginess, the trailer industry ended 2011 on a particularly strong note: Orders in December were a virtual duplication of November’s five-year high, backlogs rose to their highest level this cycle, and cancellations were virtually non-existent,” said Kenny Vieth, president and senior analyst at ACT. “Rising backlogs and low levels of cancellation activity speak to the strength of demand at the start of 2012,” he added.