In the first nine months of 2016, 496,500 earthmoving machines were sold worldwide, 5,000 fewer (-1%) than in the same period in 2015. The decline was particularly marked in the first quarter and then stabilized in the following months. The period January-September saw the emerging markets perform well: China (+ 8%), India (+ 31%) and Western Europe (+ 11%). Declines were observed in North America (-3%) and Japan (-24%). On the Old Continent, between January and August, France and Italy recorded growth of + 42% and + 32%, respectively. Belgium (+ 14%), Germany (+ 14%) and Spain (+ 10%) also posted good results. Only the United Kingdom is down (-12%), a consequence of the Brexit. With a growth of 11 consecutive quarters, Italy poses as the market in recovery with an increase in sales of mini excavators. A trend that is also on a global scale with a market share of 23% (+ 5%) just behind tracked shovels (24%). The report announces a slight upturn (+ 2%) in sales of earthmoving machines in the last quarter of 2016, bringing the number of machines sold worldwide to 625,700. This stagnation is due to insufficient investment in the construction sector. By the end of 2016, Western Europe will account for 26.6% of the world market. China is expected to finish the year on a growth of 13.6%.
PUBLICITÉ
The next few years (between 2017 and 2018) will be prolific for the global earthmoving market with an overall investment recovery which will increase the number of equipment sold in 2018 (+ 61%) to 863,000. During this period, new markets are expected to emerge in Latin America (+ 61%), Central and Eastern Europe (+ 55%), India (+ 33%) and China (+ 27%). Mature markets will also grow, such as Japan (+ 57%), North America (+ 53%) and Western Europe (+ 12%). On the Italian soil, 7,551 earthmoving machines were sold between January and September, an increase of 32%. An increase of + 37% is announced between 2017 and 2018, ie 15 600 units for a market share of 10% at European level.
Global construction, too, is expected to see substantial improvements between 2017 and 2018. The Samoter-Veronafiere report forecasts a global growth of 3% boosted by India. The US market will remain very buoyant due to Donald Trump’s scheduled capital investment plans amounting to $ 1 trillion. Good prospects also for Central Europe through housing and civil works financed by the EU. Russia will gradually emerge from the recession, driven by new construction projects. China will see a slowdown and Italy will continue its progression (+1.6 in 2017 and + 1.8% in 2018) in housing and civil engineering.
