Pre-Owned Truck Demand Surges 10.6%

Used truck sales rise 10.6% as freight and equipment markets show signs of improvement

Used truck sales increased in July, according to ACT Research, providing another indication that activity in the commercial vehicle market is beginning to strengthen.

ACT reported sales of 26,100 used trucks in July, up 10.6% from 23,600 units during the same month a year earlier. Sales also increased 4.8% from June, when dealers sold 24,900 used trucks.

The month-to-month gain is notable because it shows improvement beyond the year-over-year comparison. For carriers and professional drivers, stronger used truck sales can provide a clearer picture of how fleets are managing equipment needs, replacement schedules and operating costs.

ACT’s July reporting described the improvement as a supply-driven upturn. That suggests the market’s recent movement is being influenced in part by the availability of trucks, rather than by a broad surge in fleet purchasing alone. The data does not indicate that every carrier or equipment segment is seeing the same level of activity.

The used truck market is also connected to conditions in freight and new equipment. ACT reported that aggregate truckload spot rates, excluding fuel, were 43% higher year over year in June. Contract rates were up 13% over the same period.

Higher freight rates can affect carriers’ ability to maintain and replace equipment, although the impact varies by operation. Spot-market exposure, contract mix, fuel expenses, financing costs and equipment age all influence how much room a fleet has for capital spending. For drivers, those decisions can show up in the age and condition of assigned equipment, as well as in how quickly carriers replace older tractors.

New truck demand also improved in the same period. North American Class 8 orders more than tripled year over year in July and increased 25% sequentially on a seasonally adjusted basis, with tractor demand leading the improvement.

ACT said Class 8 backlogs reached a 38-month high, giving manufacturers greater visibility into future production. Build plans for the third and fourth quarters also moved higher. Those signals point to stronger production planning for manufacturers, but they do not necessarily mean that all fleets are immediately receiving new trucks or expanding at the same pace.

Retail sales improved both sequentially and year over year, although tractor sales remained slightly below year-ago levels. That distinction is important for drivers and carriers because tractors represent the equipment most directly tied to day-to-day over-the-road operations. A rise in total retail sales can include different vehicle categories, while tractor demand provides a more specific measure of long-haul fleet activity.

The combination of higher used truck sales, stronger Class 8 orders and improved freight rates gives the market several positive indicators to track. At the same time, ACT noted that fleet capital deployment remains linked to carrier profitability, financing conditions and confidence that higher freight rates will continue.

For smaller carriers and owner-operators, those factors can be especially important when evaluating whether to buy a used tractor, repair an existing truck or take on a newer unit. A used truck may require less upfront capital than a new one, but its purchase decision still depends on maintenance history, mileage, financing terms and expected revenue. The broader market data does not remove those individual cost considerations.

The July sales increase also comes as used commercial vehicle supply continues to draw attention. Changes in the number and condition of trucks available for purchase can affect pricing, selection and the time required to find suitable equipment. A supply-driven improvement in sales may reflect increased movement through the market without indicating that demand has fully recovered across every carrier segment.

ACT’s data shows a market in transition: used truck sales are moving higher, freight rates have improved, and Class 8 orders and backlogs are strengthening. For professional drivers, the practical effects will depend on how those trends influence fleet replacement decisions, equipment availability and the condition of the trucks entering service.

The July figures offer evidence of increased activity, but the underlying market remains tied to the financial health of carriers and the durability of freight-rate gains. Those factors will determine whether the recent improvement develops into a broader equipment-cycle recovery.