Used-truck numbers trending up

Registration of used commercial vehicles rose over 9% during the first half of the 2013 calendar year compared to the same period last year, according to automotive market-intelligence firm Polk.

Based on Polk’s analysis, nearly 357,100 used commercial registrations were recorded during the January-June timeframe.

The firm also found that used transactions during the second quarter of the 2013 calendar year were the highest since the second quarter of the 2011 calendar year,” reflecting continued demand for clean used equipment.”

By comparison, Polk pointed out, new commercial vehicle registrations during the first six months of 2013 increased by just one-half percent over the same time period in 2012. 

“The strength of used commercial vehicle transactions during the first half of the calendar year reflects a competitive market for clean used equipment as it becomes available,” said Gary Meteer, Polk’s director, aftermarket & commercial vehicle solutions.

“Our analysis indicates that the majority of these transactions represent the replacement of older equipment in the commercial vehicle population versus adding to the total vehicle population,” he continued.

Meanwhile, per  ACT Research’slatest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks, sales of  used Class 8 trucks specifically recovered last month from the “steep decline” experienced in June, according to ACT Research’slatest State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks.

ACT stated that all three used-market segments-- auction, retail, and wholesale-- contributed to the sequential gain, with the total market improving 4% month over month.

“The average selling price of total reported Class 8 trucks sold in July exhibited resilience,” said Steve Tam, ACT’s vp-- Commercial Vehicle Sector. He said that for the first half of the year, prices slipped 5% relative to the same period in 2012.

Tam added that “excessive demand for 2005-2007 trucks has fueled strong price appreciation.”