Used truck sales set record first half 2010

COLUMBUS, Ind. — Used commercial truck sales were off 20 percent in July compared to June, but unit sales were up year-over year and are still running 43 percent above 2009 on a year-to-date basis, according to ACT Research.

In the latest release of the State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, ACT further reported that average used truck prices continued to move slightly higher, despite a slight rise in average age and miles of sold units.

"The average mileage of used Class 8 trucks sold in July rose above trend due to a higher than average number of older trucks being wholesaled," said Steve Tam, vice president-commercial vehicle sector with ACT. "Anecdotal evidence suggests a shortage of late model, low mileage equipment. This trend will likely continue for several more months until new truck purchases increase and bring in equipment that sat idle during the economic slowdown."

Meanwhile, Polk, a provider of data-driven solutions for the commercial vehicle industry, reports that there were 354,400 used commercial vehicles (GVW Class 3-8) registered in the U.S. during the first two quarters of 2010.

A 29 percent hike over 2009, this sets a new record for used commercial vehicle registrations in a six-month period and represents nearly 68 percent of the commercial vehicle market for the year.