COLUMBUS, Ind. –Uncertainty over new 2010 truck technology and the stability of the North American freight economy continues to pay off for the used truck market.

Sales of used Class 8 commercial vehicles were up 55 percent in August compared to the prior year on a "same dealer" basis, according to ACT Research.

In addition, the average price paid for a used Class 8 truck is rising. The average price of a used Class 8 vehicle sold in a retail setting (excludes auctions and wholesale transactions) broke the $40,000 barrier for the first time since February of 2009, ACT reported in the latest release of its State of the Industry: U.S. Classes 3-8 Used Trucks.

Carriers wanting to take advantage of improving market conditions but nervous about sinking capital into large equipment expenditures while the economy is still fragile have been turning to used to quickly expand capacity.

"While unit sales are up year-over-year, recent months have seen flat to slightly downward sales volume as dealers have voiced concerns over a shortage of late-model inventory," said Steve Tam, vice president-commercial vehicle sector with ACT. "As in most cases when supply tightens, prices go up."