Following four consecutive months of growth, Italian registrations of trailers and semi-trailers with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes came to a halt in June 2025. According to figures compiled by Unrae’s Centre for Studies and Statistics, based on registration data provided by the Ministry of Transport, the number of newly registered units in the sixth month of the year stood at 1,300, down from 1,485 in June 2024, marking a 12.5% decline. The balance for the first half of the year, however, remains positive, with 7,794 registrations between January and June, representing a 7.2% increase on the 7,269 units recorded in the same period last year.
Michele Mastagni, coordinator of Unrae’s Trailers, Semi-trailers and Bodywork Group, notes that the June slowdown came as no surprise to industry operators. “It was widely anticipated. The outlook for the second half of 2025 appears discouraging and suggests a possible reversal for the year as a whole. In the absence of prompt and targeted government action, the difficulties are likely to deepen.”
The association highlights that many road haulage companies are struggling to plan investments due to an environment of economic and regulatory uncertainty. “Many businesses, despite being fully aware of their strategic role, are currently unable to adequately plan the renewal of their fleets. Without concrete support from public institutions, road safety itself will also be affected,” warns Mastagni.
At the heart of Unrae’s appeal to the government is the need to reinforce public funding for the sector. According to the association, the 19 million euros allocated for 2025 fall short. The minimum target identified is the restoration of a budget of at least 25 million euros per year, deemed essential to ensure the gradual renewal of a vehicle fleet that today has an average age of more than 17 years.
“We also reiterate the need for the multi-year extraordinary freight transport plan to be approved as soon as possible,” continues Mastagni, referring to the document repeatedly announced by Minister Matteo Salvini. “It is crucial that an adequate share of the roughly 600 million euros envisaged be specifically allocated to the modernisation of trailers and semi-trailers.” The age of the national fleet is not only an environmental or logistical efficiency issue. Unrae explains that it has direct consequences for road safety, emissions and the overall competitiveness of the transport system.
