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Used truck sales post 10.6% increase
Same-dealer retail activity dips below seasonal norms
(Palmer Truck Sales)
Key Takeaways:
- Used Class 8 truck sales rose 10.6% year over year to 26,100 units in July, though same-dealer retail sales fell 2.5% seasonally.
- ACT Research said wholesale and auction weakness reduced volumes, but year-to-date sales and values remained resilient despite regulatory and product uncertainties.
- J.D. Power said clearer emissions requirements are prompting fleets to accept delayed truck deliveries, while increased trades pressure used truck values.
Used Class 8 truck sales remained above year-ago levels in July, but same-dealer retail sales fell more sharply than seasonal trends typically suggest.
ACT Research reported that sales increased 10.6% to 26,100 units from 23,600 the prior year and were up 4.8% sequentially from 24,900 units in June. While the report highlighted that same-dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales experienced a steeper-than-expected seasonal drop of 2.5%, they continued the trend of robust year-over-year growth at 45%.
“Auction and wholesale channels softened, contributing to an overall decrease in total market volumes,” said Steve Tam, vice president at ACT Research. “While pricing retreated in the near term, year-to-date sales and values continue to show resilience, even as the market navigates ongoing regulatory and OEM product uncertainties.”
ACT reported that average retail sale prices decreased 2% to $60,986 from $62,254 the prior year, and fell 4% sequentially from $63,555. Average mileage decreased 1.2% to 411,000 from 416,000 a year ago, but increased 1.2% from 406,000 miles in June.
J.D. Power found that retail sales per rooftop continued trending close to long-term historical patterns for July. The report concluded that adherence to long-term trends alongside healthy pricing indicates the hangover following the coronavirus pandemic is fading. Wholesale and retail pricing dipped, but average depreciation in recent months has been negligible, it said.
“Until this month, deliveries lagged orders to an unusual degree,” Chris Visser, director of specialty vehicles at J.D. Power, wrote in the report. “Increased clarity regarding emissions requirements and associated price increases is encouraging fleets to take delivery of trucks ordered late last year and earlier this year.”
[August State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks Update] - Used Truck Sales Growth Moderates as Prices Retreat in July
Read more from the update here: https://t.co/7yOQDnckV8 pic.twitter.com/jD5W9Vu8E9— ACT Research (@actresearch) September 2, 2026
J.D. Power noted that retail sale prices decreased 3.4% from the prior month and 6.2% from last year. Wholesale prices declined 1.8% sequentially but were up 3.9% from last year. Auction prices increased 3.7% from last month, and 11.9% from 2025.
“With freight volume still limited, increased new truck deliveries means increased trades and downward pressure on used truck values,” Visser wrote. “The capacity crunch is driven by a shortage of drivers, not trucks.”
