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

  • Kobelco posts financial results
    November 21, 2014
    Kobelco Construction Machinery has posted its semi-annual results for the 2014 financial year. The results give grounds for caution as well as some optimism however. In the Japanese hydraulic excavator market, a significant decline was expected initially in response to the impact of last-minute demand in the previous financial year. However, the decline was less than expected owing to strong domestic demand. As a result, the total domestic demand for heavy hydraulic excavators in the first half decreased by
  • Volvo Q2 sales dip 14% amid COVID disruption
    July 20, 2020
    Weak demand in Europe and North America was partially offset by a rebound in China.
  • Wacker Neuson’s strong performance in 2021
    August 11, 2021
    Wacker Neuson is enjoying strong performance in 2021.
  • Volvo CE bullish
    May 4, 2012
    Swedish-based firm Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) reports stronger-than-expected increases in demand from customers in Europe and North America. The firm says that this performance has helped boost third quarter sales. Steady sales in many markets having a positive impact on financial performance. Net sales in the three months of July-September rose by 18% to US$2.28 billion, compared with $1.94 billion in the same period last year and when adjusted for currency movements, net sales increased by 27