ACT Research Co., LLC

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day!

Today, we recognize and thank the hardworking individuals whose dedication and contributions keep our industries moving forward.

09/03/2026

Used Classes 3-8 Update 🔍
Same dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales declined 2.5% month-over-month in July, a steeper drop than the expected seasonal dip. Despite the near-term pullback, retail sales remained 45% higher compared to July 2025, continuing a trend of robust year-over-year growth. The average retail sale price for used Class 8 trucks slipped 4.0% from June, settling at $60,986.

“The July slowdown in used Class 8 retail sales was directionally consistent with seasonal expectations, but the magnitude was greater than usual,” said Steve Tam, Vice President at ACT Research. “Auction and wholesale channels also softened, contributing to an overall decrease in total market volumes. 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.”

09/02/2026

[August State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks Update] - Used Truck Sales Growth Moderates as Prices Retreat in July

Same dealer used Class 8 retail truck sales declined 2.5% month-over-month in July, a steeper drop than the expected seasonal dip. Despite the near-term pullback, retail sales remained 45% higher compared to July 2025, continuing a trend of robust year-over-year growth. The average retail sale price for used Class 8 trucks slipped 4.0% from June, settling at $60,986.

Read more from the update here: https://hubs.la/Q04wjF3s0

08/27/2026

Market Vitals Seminar 75 brought the industry together to look ahead.

As we celebrated 40 years, industry leaders and analysts explored the forces shaping the next commercial vehicle and freight cycle, from freight demand and equipment investment to regulation, used values, and autonomous trucking.

What’s ahead for the market? We’re sharing the key takeaways from the seminar.

👉 Read the full recap: https://hubs.la/Q04vjtJ_0

08/27/2026

ACT Research Marks 40 Years and 75 Market Vitals Seminars with Industry Leaders Focused on the Next Commercial Vehicle and Freight Cycle

We brought commercial vehicle and transportation industry leaders together August 19–20 in Columbus, Indiana, for its 75th Market Vitals Seminar and a celebration of the company’s 40th anniversary. The two-day program examined the forces shaping the next phase of the freight and equipment cycles. Topics that were explored included economic growth, freight market supply-demand balance, commercial vehicle demand, the upcoming emissions regulation, used-equipment values, autonomous trucking, and the changing needs of fleets and dealers.

Read more highlights from the seminar here:

Topics that were explored included economic growth, freight market supply-demand balance, commercial vehicle demand, the upcoming emissions regulation,…

08/25/2026

U.S Trailers Update🔍
Net trailer orders in July reached nearly 15,700 units, representing a 16% sequential increase and a 94% jump over July 2025’s levels. Despite July typically being the weakest order month of the annual cycle, order activity outperformed seasonal expectations, while the industry’s backlog remained virtually unchanged from June and grew more than 13% year-over-year.

“Trailer quotation activity has been brisk, with many in the industry noting that orderboards for 2027 are opening earlier than usual, even as pricing for next year remains unsettled due to tariff-related uncertainty,” said Jennifer McNealy, Director–CV Market Research & Publications at ACT Research. “With 2027 orderboards opening earlier than normal, net orders continue to surprise to the upside, and while build rates have slowed in line with seasonality, the backlog-to-build ratio has climbed to the 5.0-month threshold, committing the industry into the fourth quarter. Cancellations, meanwhile, have moderated to within the acceptable range, indicating a more stable environment compared to the volatility seen over the past two years.”

08/24/2026

[July State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers Update] - Trailer Orders Beat Seasonal Expectations as Backlogs Hold Steady

Net trailer orders in July reached nearly 15,700 units, representing a 16% sequential increase and a 94% jump over July 2025’s levels. Despite July typically being the weakest order month of the annual cycle, order activity outperformed seasonal expectations, while the industry’s backlog remained virtually unchanged from June and grew more than 13% year-over-year.

Read more from the update here: https://hubs.la/Q04v3YQG0

08/24/2026

Last week, ACT Research celebrated 40 years in business at our 75th Market Vitals Seminar.

Guest speakers Rusty Rush, Alison Trueblood, Derek Leathers, Robert Brown, and Melody Drummond Hansen joined us to examine the key issues shaping the commercial vehicle and freight industries—and what the next 12 months may hold.

Ken, Steve and Tim discuss their key take-ways and post-event thoughts as we look forward to the end of 2026 and the what January 1, 2027 could bring.

Thank you to our speakers, customers, and industry friends who helped make this milestone event so memorable.

08/20/2026

Classes 5-8 Update🔍
Final North American Class 8 net orders totaled 22,562 units in July, up 71% year-over-year but down 29% month-over-month on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to ACT Research’s latest State of the Industry: NA Classes 5-8 report. The sequential decline reflects not a drop in demand, but the impact of full 2026 build slots, with remaining production capacity for the year oversubscribed by 35,000 units.

“Robust demand for new equipment continues, supported by improved spot and contract rates, as evidenced by the recent earnings strength among publicly traded truckload carriers,” said Carter Vieth, Research Analyst at ACT Research. “While ongoing EPA uncertainty could influence the coming order ramp, carrier profitability is rising quickly, and freight conditions are improving across the board.”

08/19/2026

🚛 “Scale is not what matters. You have to turn that into service.”

That was one of the takeaways from Rusty Rush, CEO of Rush Enterprises, during today’s Market Vitals Seminar 75 session with Ken Vieth.

Rusty shared his perspective on the evolving commercial truck business, the importance of serving customers across a growing network, and the market conditions shaping truck demand.

A great conversation with a leader who has spent decades watching the industry evolve.