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

  • Increasing electric vehicle sales in Central and Eastern Europe?
    June 15, 2012
    Projections suggest that electric vehicle sales in Central and Eastern Europe will hit 60,000 by 2017. The estimate comes from a report by Frost & Sullivan and suggests that Central and Eastern Europe will see growing sales of these vehicles, bringing strong market potential for manufacturers. The Central and Eastern European nations have a population of over 100 million people and a solid macroeconomic environment. The report says EV sales could top 62,000 units by 2017, increasing from approximately 245 u
  • Business confidence in construction
    June 29, 2018
    Business confidence is strong in the global construction equipment market at present. Manufacturers of machines around the world, as well as component suppliers, are all reporting strong financial performance, with healthy sales and order books. Many manufacturers including Deutz, Komatsu, Manitou, Volvo CE and Wacker Neuson have announced robust financial results recently, with many seeing record levels of sales and turnover. Firms in China, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the US all report good levels of
  • Construction growth Italy: upwards but slower
    January 31, 2020
    Construction investment in Italy will grow between 2020-2021, albeit at a slower pace than 2019, according updated estimates by the SaMoTer-Prometeia Outlook.
  • UK exports and imports of construction equipment are up 21% in Q3 2017
    November 28, 2017
    UK exports of construction and earthmoving equipment remained buoyant for the first nine months 2017, showing a 21% increase compared with the same period 2016. Imports of equipment also remained strong, showing a 12% increase in the same period over 2016. In the third quarter 2017, exports equipment showed a further modest increase for the fourth consecutive quarter. Exports in Q3 were 1.3% up on Q2 levels at €807 million (£723 million). This was the highest quarterly level for more than two years