PRICES: Roof Over Trucks

The emergency brake was pulled last week on one of the most profitable, fastest-growing of U.S. wartime markets — used trucks. OPA put a ceiling over used-truck prices as of April 26, scaled maximum prices from 68% of the new price (six-year-old trucks) to 97% of the new price (trucklets six months young or less).

The order was needed. Ever since WPB halted civilian truck production a year ago, the demand for good used trucks has been whopping. Prices soared 150-200% above normal; speculators bought trucks right & left, cached them away for even higher prices; fleet operators wrung their hands as speculators wrung their pocketbooks. Even after OPA’s order, some trucksters wondered how long the brake would hold. Special rules already permit extra charges for such parts as oversize axles, tires, special brakes, etc. Thus, while a truck may be pegged at $675, the extra heater may cost $500—or no sale.