Used Class 8 sales were off with a bang in 2025, ACT Research says.
January preliminary Class 8 same dealer, used truck retail sales volumes increased 16% month-over-month, ACT Research says in its preliminary release of State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks.
[RELATED: ACT reports softer tractor demand, strong vocational activity as 2025 starts]
"The new year got off to a strong start for used truck retail sales, up 16% month-over-month, easily outpacing typical seasonality, which called for a decrease of 11% month-over-month," says Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research. "On the other hand, preliminary auction activity decreased from December by 59%. In stark contrast, wholesale transactions mushroomed, increasing 22% year-over-year. Combined, sales contracted 31% month-over-month."
Tam adds, "Declining new truck sales in [the fourth quarter of] 2024 are one possible factor that contributed to lower used truck sales in January. Weather, along with economic and political uncertainty, come to mind as potential causes."
