Used Class 8 truck same dealer sales increased again in November, recording a 1% month-over-month increase, according to the latest data from ACT Research.

Historically, November sales volumes fall below average. However, this year it bucked the trend with a 37% increase year-over-year.

“This unexpected bump was enough to move year-to-date comparisons out of the red for the first time this year, with volumes up 1% over the first 11 months of 2015,” said Steve Tam, ACT’s vice president. “The retail segment had a solid month, posting gains across the board, up 6% month-over-month, 38% year-over-year and 2% year-to-date.”

Used Class 8 exports also climbed, recording their best month of the year thus far in October.

“Following two sequential monthly declines, exports rose 88% month-over-month in October, to 1,885 units, a 37% year-over-year increase,” Tam noted. “Four consecutive months of year-over-year improvements conspired to offset weak early year volumes and push the year-to-date total up 4% over the same time period last year.”

In addition, new and net trailer orders surged in November, strongly indicating that the trailer buying season has begun. Driven mostly by dry vans, November net orders climbed 71% month-over-month, according to ACT. A drop in cancellations also helped boost last month’s sales.

“Dry vans were also nearly equivalent to year-ago levels,” said Frank Maly, director of CV transportation analysis and research at ACT. Speaking on the comparison to last year, Maly continued, “Even with that surge, total trailer orders for the month still trailed last November by 7ppt, and [year-to-date] net orders are down one-third from 2015 volume.”