Continued decline in Italian equipment market

The Italian construction equipment market was down-24% in the first nine months of the year, compared to the same period last year, according to manufacturers’ trade association UNACEA.

Sales totalled 4,091 machines in the first three quarters, compared to 5,386 in January – September 2012. Crawler excavator sales were down -24% to 585 machines, wheeled loaders fell -29% to 341 machines and backhoe loader sales were down -39% across the rigid, articulated and all-wheel steer categories.

In the compact equipment sector, mini excavator sales dropped -24% to 2,030 units, skid steer loaders were down -13% to 316 pieces and compact tracked loaders were down -19% to 193 machines.

The only area which saw growth was the niche, for Italy, product of articulated dump trucks (ADTs), where sales in the first nine months of 2013 were up to 19 haulers, compared to eight in the same period last year.

UNACEA vice president Giampiero Biglia said, "Taking in consideration the weakness of Italian construction market the demand for construction equipment remains stuck and without specific growth measures from the government, we do not foresee any improvement by the end of the year. Moreover, regarding exports the fragility of the European market cannot be balanced by the developing countries’ demand. From this perspective we estimate a flat production on 2013, on the same level of 2012.”