April preliminary Class 8 same dealer used truck retail sales pulled back from March’s strong performance, down 5.4% 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 not as large as expected based on historical seasonality, which called for an 11% m/m decrease. Auction sales dropped by 52%, in typical first month of the quarter fashion. The wholesale segment enjoyed the only improvement in April, growing 14% m/m,” according to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Total reported preliminary sales finished April down 27% m/m. Given outperformance relative to seasonality, it appears as though freight growth continues to entice used equipment buyers.”

“The preliminary average retail price (same dealer sales) of used Class 8 trucks grew nicely in April, gaining 5.4% m/m to hit $57,148. Pricing also beat seasonal expectations, which called for an almost 11% decline,” Tam concluded.

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.