February Fleet Update: Resale Market Momentum Builds

By Anna Stanke, Director Fleet Remarketing and Products

Improving resale conditions, rising dealer demand, and tax-season tailwinds are creating an opportunity for fleet action.

After months of softening conditions, the resale market is showing early signs of recovery, creating an opportunity for fleets evaluating disposals, replacements, and upcoming orders.

A Welcome Shift in the Resale Market

After several consecutive months of downward pressure, the used vehicle market is beginning to show signs of stabilization, and modest improvement. While this isn’t a dramatic rebound, it is a meaningful shift that fleet managers should take note of as we move toward spring.

January delivered encouraging indicators: vehicles are selling faster, resale values have ticked upward, and dealer sentiment is strengthening ahead of the traditionally active spring market. For fleets reviewing aging units or evaluating replacement timing, this environment presents a strategic window worth considering.

Faster Turn Times Signal Active Buyers

One of the clearest indicators of improving conditions is days-to-sell. In January, we saw that vehicles averaged just under 18 days to sell, one of the fastest paces seen in roughly a year.

Shorter turn times reduce holding costs, minimize market exposure, and create more predictability in remarketing timelines. When vehicles move efficiently, fleets gain greater flexibility to coordinate disposals with replacement cycles and capital planning. Buyer demand is present, particularly for properly maintained, well-positioned fleet vehicles.

Resale Values Stabilize After Months of Decline

Equally important, resale values experienced a modest increase of approximately 1.5% in January, breaking a multi-month downward trend. While incremental, this shift signals that the market may be finding its footing.

Fleet vehicles have continued to perform competitively relative to benchmark pricing levels, reflecting disciplined remarketing strategies and steady buyer engagement. The broader industry is aligning more closely with market benchmarks as well, suggesting a more balanced and sustainable pricing environment.

This isn’t about chasing peak pricing, it’s about recognizing when the market has stabilized enough to support confident, proactive decisions.

Tax Season Could Add Another Layer of Demand

Seasonality always influences resale performance, but this year there’s an added factor to watch.

Industry updates indicate that tax refunds are expected to be larger, which could stimulate additional retail vehicle demand. Dealers are already preparing for that potential uptick by sourcing inventory earlier.

When dealers anticipate stronger retail sales, they typically become more active buyers in the wholesale market, particularly for fleet units that can be reconditioned and turned quickly. While it’s difficult to quantify exactly how much tax refunds will lift overall volumes, sentiment across the market is optimistic.

Combined with normal spring demand patterns, this dynamic may create a favorable near-term selling window before inventory levels peak later in the season.

License & Title Activity Expected to Remain Elevated

With resale activity increasing and new vehicle acquisitions continuing, license and title (L&T) volume is expected to remain high in the months ahead.

Periods of simultaneous disposals and new deliveries naturally drive heavier administrative activity, from titling to registration updates. Union Leasing is preparing accordingly to support continued transaction flow and minimize disruption.

For fleets, this underscores the importance of planning ahead. Coordinating disposals and new orders strategically helps ensure smoother transitions and avoids bottlenecks during peak seasonal activity.

Vehicle Ordering: Staying Ahead of Cutoff Dates

On the ordering front, manufacturers are continuing to release cutoff dates for select models. One notable upcoming deadline is for the GM Equinox and Terrain on February 20th.

Monitoring cutoff dates and production schedules remains critical to having the right fleet vehicles in place. Even when a specific model isn’t part of your fleet selectors, the pattern reinforces the importance of staying proactive with ordering decisions, especially as OEM production cycles tighten throughout the year.

Ready to Navigate the Months Ahead?

Market conditions are improving, but they’re also evolving. From resale timing and replacement planning to license and title coordination and vehicle ordering strategy, the right decisions now can create measurable advantages later in the year.

If you’d like guidance on how to position your fleet in today’s environment, the Union Leasing team is here to help. We work with fleet managers to identify strategic opportunities, and build practical, forward-looking plans that align with your operational goals. Connect with Union Leasing to discuss your fleet strategy and ensure you’re positioned to move confidently into the spring season.