ACT Research: Preliminary Used Class 8 Data for November Shows YTD Sales Up, With Average Price, Miles and Age All Lower
By: Act Research Co.
Tags: Trucking, Covid 19, Supply Chain, Logistics, Transportation

Preliminary used Class 8 volumes (same dealer sales) dropped 20% month-over-month in November, but are 18% higher year-to-date compared to the first 11 months of 2019, according to the latest preliminary release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3–8 Used Trucks published by ACT Research. Compared to November of 2019, volumes gained 32%.

Other data released in ACT’s preliminary report included month-over-month comparisons for November 2020, which showed that average prices increased 9%, while average miles dropped 2% and average age was 3% lower, compared to October. Year-to-date, average price, miles, and age were all lower, down 8%, 3%, and 8%, respectively, compared to the first 11 months of 2019.

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.

According to Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research, “Other than the preliminary used Class 8 sales volume contraction, there wasn’t much not to like about the used truck market in November.” He continued, “Our preliminary used truck dashboard revealed a lot of positive data, and the drop in sales was consistent with typical seasonality. That said, because of November’s softness, December volumes typically enjoy a strong sequential rebound.”

Tam added, “Generally speaking, the freight markets are still quite robust, which bodes well for continued sales and price gains for the used truck industry. Capacity is still being constrained by drivers sidelined directly or indirectly by COVID-19.”

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 64th Seminar is scheduled for February 23–25, 2021. Focused on the continuous evolution and advancement of power and energy changes in the transportation and commercial vehicle markets, OUTLOOK Seminar 64 will feature key industry leaders such as Ryan Reed of Wabash National, John Bennett from Meritor, Lance Riegel of Marvin Johnson, and Dominick Beckman from Hino Motors. Look for more details on this event over the coming months and save the date for February’s event. Click here for seminar information. www.actresearch.net/seminar64

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