Reports: Used Truck Sales Drop, Trailer Sales Up

October sales numbers from two reports trended in the opposite direction: used Class 8 truck sales fell, while trailer sales skyrocketed. 

Used Class 8 truck sales were down 19 percent month over month, according to data from Act Research, which produced both reports. That data also showed a slight 2 percent month-over-month decline in average price and a 5 percent increase in age. 

“Used truck sales typically see a moderate increase in October, relative to September, so the decline was counter to expectations,” stated Steve Tam, vice president at ACT. “Used Class 8 retail truck sales for October were meaningfully weaker for longer-term comparisons.” 

Year-over-year data paints a different picture, with the average price, miles and age all up over the previous year, according to ACT. 

ACT also released a report on trailer sales, showing a massive 83 percent month-over-month increase in orders, with a total of 47,860 units bought. Year-over-year, those sales numbers are up 171 percent. 

Jennifer McNealy, who heads up CV market research and publications for ACT, stated that “demand overall remains healthy” and “cancellations are low.”