Skip to main content

Global machine sales expected to rise

A report by Off-Highway Research suggests that worldwide construction machine sales could increase 16% this year. On a global basis, sales of construction machines are expected to exceed 810,000 units in 2017, with a value of more than US$80 billion. The report says that most major territories will see growth during 2017. However China’s resurgence will be crucial, as crawler excavator sales in the country have more than doubled in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period last year.
September 13, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
A report by Off-Highway Research suggests that worldwide construction machine sales could increase 16% this year. On a global basis, sales of construction machines are expected to exceed 810,000 units in 2017, with a value of more than US$80 billion.


The report says that most major territories will see growth during 2017. However China’s resurgence will be crucial, as crawler excavator sales in the country have more than doubled in the first half of 2017, compared to the same period last year.

The Indian market remains strong, with 10% sales growth forecast for this year. India saw26% growth during 2016. The continued improvement will see total machine sales to India beat the previous record high of 54,065 units in 2011.

In Europe, sales of construction equipment in are expected to grow 2% this year to almost 145,000 units. This follows an 11% growth in 2016, which was driven by booming demand from Germany.

The North American market is expected to climb 8% to over 170,000 units. This would take it back to levels seen in 2014 and 2015, before market growth was disrupted by last year’s presidential election.

Similarly, in Japan, a 4% increase in equipment sales is expected, following a slump in demand last year.

Over the longer term, Off-Highway Research expects global construction equipment sales to rise to close to 900,000 units by 2021, with a value of more than US$90 billion in today’s terms.

Related Content

  • Wacker Neuson reports record revenue
    May 11, 2017
    Wacker Neuson is reporting a record revenue for its first quarter in 2017. The Munich-based international light and compact equipment manufacturer said that adjusted profit before interest and tax (EBIT) increased significantly. At the close of the first quarter, order intake and backlog showed a clear rise over the figures posted for the prior-year period. "The year has got off to a very promising start for our Group. The investment mood among many national and international customers in most of our target
  • Volvo CE reports dip in machine sales
    October 30, 2012
    Volvo CE reports a drop in machine sales of 9% in the third quarter as market demand drops. The company says that it is facing a weakening total market, which was down 11% in the year to August. This has also been combined with increased price competition and has put pressure on its third quarter sales and earnings. The company says it has reacted quickly to a slowing global market by slowing the rate of production in its factories and reducing the number of machines held in stock at its dealerships. This
  • Manufacturing body CECE issues positive results
    March 12, 2015
    The European construction equipment manufacturer’s association, CECE, has released its strongly positive Economic Report for 2014. According to this report, equipment sales in the European market grew by 9% in 2014. However a flat sales growth is forecast for 2015. The report says that 2014 was a troubled, yet good, year for the European construction equipment industry. Sales on the European market grew by 9% compared to 2013, highlighting slight growth in construction. The European construction equipment m
  • Wacker Neuson reports strong performance for second quarter
    August 8, 2017
    Compact machine specialist Wacker Neuson says that its financial results show a strong second quarter for 2017 as well as an improved outlook for 2017 as a whole. The firm says that profitability improved and has now raised its revenue forecast for the current fiscal year. The Wacker Neuson Group reported record revenue of €425.2 million for the second quarter of 2017, compared with €381.4 million for the same period in 2016. At €46.7 million, profit before interest and tax (EBIT) jumped a healthy 41 % comp