The year 2025 has started poorly for the Italian market of trailers and semi-trailers with a total mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes. This is the picture painted by Unrae’s figures on January registrations, which show a 13.7% drop compared to the same month in the previous year. In the first month of the year, only 1,035 towed vehicles were registered, down from 1,199 in 2024. This decline is part of an already negative scenario that, according to industry experts, requires urgent action to prevent a sector collapse.
Unrae highlights that the decline recorded in January follows a trend that has been ongoing for several years, with the trailer and semi-trailer market struggling to achieve stability. "We regret to note the absence of any signs of recovery for our sector, which remains affected by a strongly negative trend," says Michele Mastagni, coordinator of Unrae's trailer, semi-trailer and equipment group. "January has once again seen a sharp drop compared to 2024, which itself had already registered a decline from the previous year. Without timely support measures from the government, there is a real risk of a market collapse."
The warning issued by Unrae is not new. In recent months, the association has repeatedly stressed the need for concrete measures to support the sector and encourage fleet renewal. With an average age of over seventeen years, Italy's trailer fleet requires significant investment to remain competitive and safe. The association believes that reversing this negative trend will require adequate funding and a revision of existing regulations. "While we understand the current financial difficulties faced by the treasury, we consider it essential to adopt concrete measures to ensure stability in the transport sector," explains Mastagni. "We have long been calling on the government to allocate at least seventy million euros over the next four years to incentivise the renewal of the trailer fleet. The 7.5 million euros allocated in the latest incentive package have once again proved insufficient and will not trigger a significant recovery."
In addition to financial incentives, Unrae is urging a revision of the highway code to allow articulated lorries up to 18.75 metres in length to circulate more freely, as their use is currently restricted in Italy. According to the association, introducing these vehicles would bring significant advantages in terms of both competitiveness for transport companies and road safety.
