It was anticipated, and it has happened: 2025 has begun on a negative note for the Italian industrial vehicle market, with a drop in registrations for vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes. This is the picture painted by Unrae’s monthly registration data, which reveal a 13.7% decrease in January 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. The figures indicate that the contraction affects all weight categories, with a particularly pronounced impact on light and medium-light vehicles.
More specifically, vehicles with a total gross weight between 3.51 and 6 tonnes recorded a 35.1% drop, down from 77 to 50 registered units. Meanwhile, the segment ranging from 6.01 to 15.99 tonnes experienced a 34.9% decrease, with 228 units registered compared to 350 in January 2024. Even heavy vehicles over 16 tonnes, which make up the most significant portion of the market, saw a decline of 10.1%, settling at 2,292 units. A more detailed analysis of the heavy vehicle market reveals contrasting trends among different types of vehicles. While rigids recorded a 2.4% increase, reaching 935 units, road tractors suffered a sharp 17.1% decline, with 1,357 units registered.
Paolo A. Starace, president of Unrae’s Industrial Vehicles Section, highlights that this negative trend had already been foreseen in late 2024 projections: "In line with estimates, the first month of 2025 confirms the sector’s difficulties, marking the sixth consecutive month of decline. Particularly concerning is the drop in the over-16-tonne segment, which accounts for nearly 90% of total volumes, as well as the even steeper decline in road tractors, which are essential for logistics and heavy transport."
In addition to challenges linked to domestic demand, Starace also points to uncertainties stemming from the international context: "The market result is not surprising given the complexity of the economic situation, but further instability could exacerbate the scenario in the coming months. In particular, recent statements by the new President of the United States are cause for concern. The USA is a key market for Italian exports, and the possible introduction of new tariffs could trigger a ripple effect on industrial production, inevitably impacting the transport sector."
To tackle these challenges, Starace calls for decisive action at the European level: "The European Union must act to prevent the risk of a trade war with the United States by fostering dialogue while simultaneously promoting internal economic growth. The strategy outlined in last September’s Draghi Report remains a crucial point of reference. Timely and coordinated measures are needed to strengthen Europe’s position on the global stage and reduce economic dependence on other markets."
