The German market is the most significant in Europe for industrial vehicles, meaning its performance indicates trends in both production and road transport. According to figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA), Germany has emerged from 2024 with an increase in industrial vehicle registrations compared to the previous year, although trends vary by vehicle type.
The largest category of motorised goods transport vehicles is Lastkraftwagen (equivalent to our rigid trucks), which saw a 9% increase in 2024, reaching 316,928 units. However, two key subcategories have shown signs of decline. The first is Zugmaschinen, which includes towing vehicles (such as those used in road trains or articulated lorries), with 130,482 units registered, marking an 8.8% drop compared to the previous year. Even worse in percentage terms was the performance of Sattelzugmaschinen, or tractor units for semi-trailers, with only 16,032 units registered, representing an annual decline of 24.1%.
Registration figures for January 2025 continue to show a positive trend, though largely mirroring the previous year’s performance. Lastkraftwagen increased by just 1% compared to January 2024, with 23,824 units. Meanwhile, Zugmaschinen fell by 26.7%, down to 5,186 units, and Sattelzugmaschinen collapsed by 30%, registering only 2,536 units. These figures are not encouraging, although it is still too early to predict the overall trend for the year.
Diesel-powered industrial vehicles continue to dominate sales, despite their market share gradually declining. Electric vehicle registrations increased by 57.4% in 2024, although their overall market share remains low at just 4.6%. However, official statistics include all vehicle categories, including buses. In 2024, there were 19,42 battery-powered vehicles and 485 plug-in hybrids registered, though a significant portion of these are passenger transport vehicles. Liquefied natural gas vehicles remain a marginal presence, hindered by rising fuel costs, with only 129 registrations in 2024, reflecting a continued decline.
