Online used truck sales growing

May 27, 2004
Used truck sales remain strong this year, according to Mike McMahon, marketing manager for International Truck & Engine Corp.’s used truck organization, and the Internet is gaining popularity as a tool for finding and buying them.

Used truck sales remain strong this year, according to Mike McMahon, marketing manager for International Truck & Engine Corp.’s used truck organization, and the Internet is gaining popularity as a tool for finding and buying them.

“We’re selling about 5 to 6 trucks a month completely online,” McMahon said. “It’s a small percentage of our overall used truck sales, but it shows that used truck buyers are no longer using the web just to search for the trucks they want – they are buying them online as well.”

At a ride-and-drive event hosted by International outside Dallas last week, he stressed that used truck sales remain strong for units displaying “the right specs.”

“Basically, if it’s a low mileage, late model truck and the specs are right for the application, then it will sell fast,” McMahon said. “That’s regardless of whether it’s a daycab or sleeper.”

He also noted that everyone is in the market to buy used trucks – owner-operators, small regional fleets, one and two truck fleets, and large national carriers – and that used truck buyers increasingly want the same package of services available for new trucks.

“They want a ‘one stop shop’ when it comes to used trucks,” said McMahon. “They want the same parts, service, warranty, and finance options available for new trucks.”