COLUMBUS, IN — According to two reports released by ACT Research today, the wholesale market was the only segment to grow in the used truck arena, while trailer orders closed 2012 on a high note.

The wholesale used truck market increased 3 percent from 2011 to 2012, while the auction and retail markets both fell 11 percent. Still, said Steve Tam, vice president, Commercial Vehicle Sector with ACT, given the slow economic growth and the threat of the fiscal cliff, “the results for 2012 were not bad.”

Prices for used class 8s also stayed in positive territory year-to-date, Tam said.

Over on the trailer side, December saw new orders increase to a multi-year high with cancellation orders staying at modest levels. New orders rose 38 percent month over month from November to 31,586 units, with trailer shipments for the full year up nearly 13 percent.

“The fact that orders strengthened in the face of the fiscal cliff speaks to the strength of underlying trailer demand and the ongoing health of trucking fundamentals,” said Frank Maly, director-CV Transportation with ACT Research. “We believe that rising consumer and business confidence will bode well for continued strength in trailer demand in 2013.”