The industrial vehicle market in Italy ended March with another marked downturn. According to figures released by Unrae, registrations of goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes fell by 13.8% compared to the same month in 2024, dropping from 2,611 to 2,250 units. More concerning, however, is the collapse of heavy vehicle registrations, those with a gross weight of 16 tonnes or more, which fell by 17.7%.
In more detail, road tractors – the backbone of long-distance transport – lost nearly a third of their market, registering a 27.9% decrease from 1,437 to 1,036 units, while rigid trucks held steady with only a marginal drop of 0.2%. The only segment to buck the trend was the lightest one (3.51–6 tonnes), which saw registrations more than double, rising from 69 to 141 units, a 104.3% increase.
Adding to the concerns is the uncertainty surrounding the impact of US tariffs, as explained by Paolo A. Starace, president of the industrial vehicles section at Unrae: “If exports to key markets such as the United States were to collapse, the effect on industrial production – already declining for over twenty months – could be devastating. A tsunami.” In an internationally fragile context, Unrae stresses the need for urgent action. The association welcomed the transport minister’s openness to a multi-year support fund for the sector, but Starace remains firm: “Concrete measures are needed. We are ready to collaborate on shaping an implementation plan together with the Ministry of Transport and other industry associations.”
