The Italian market for trailers and semi-trailers with a total weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes has returned to positive territory in February 2025. According to figures compiled by Unrae’s Centre for Studies and Statistics, based on data from the Ministry of Transport, registrations in the second month of the year reached 1,182 units, marking an 18.2% increase compared to the one thousand units recorded in the same month last year. This is an encouraging result, following a weak January, and it helps to keep the overall balance for the first two months of the year in positive territory. In the first two months of 2025, registrations totalled 2,230 units, up 1.4% compared to the 2,199 units registered in 2024.
Despite this partial recovery, Unrae has issued a clear warning about the state of the sector. Michele Mastagni, coordinator of the Trailers, Semi-trailers and Bodyworks Group within the association, emphasised that the industry continues to be neglected both nationally and at the European level. In his view, recent government decisions fail to include specific measures to address the challenges facing the supply chain, while the European Commission’s new Automotive Action Plan completely overlooks the need for more flexible regulations for towed vehicles, including emission targets for heavy-duty transport.
In particular, Mastagni highlighted the risk posed by the introduction of strict decarbonisation targets from 2030, which will also apply to trailers. This, he warned, could result in significant penalties for manufacturers. While Unrae supports the general principles of ecological transition, the association cautions that these obligations, if not supported by a concrete assistance plan, could exacerbate the difficulties already faced by companies in the sector.
The lack of incentives for replacing older vehicles and the absence of policies to facilitate the transition to modern, sustainable vehicles make these targets difficult to achieve. The association warns that this could undermine the competitiveness of Italian businesses, which are already having to compete with foreign companies operating under more favourable regulatory conditions.
Among the proposals put forward by Unrae to reverse the trend is the call for a multi-year national fund of at least 70 million euros, aimed at encouraging the adoption of next-generation vehicles. This measure would be complemented by the introduction of economic penalties for older vehicles, through higher motorway tolls, revised ownership taxes and restrictions on circulation and load capacity.
Another key issue is the need for regulatory reform to allow the circulation of Eurotrailers in Italy—articulated lorries up to 18.75 metres in length. These vehicles are already authorised in several European countries, including the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Germany and Belgium. According to Mastagni, there is an urgent need to update the implementing regulation of the Highway Code to bring Italy into line with European standards and enable more efficient use of towed vehicles.
