Just under 2 000 Italian earthmoving machines were sold in Q1.

In the first three months of this year, 1 977 construction machines have been sold in the Italian market, representing an increase of 29% compared to the same period of 2015. A total of 1 879 earthmoving machines and 76 road machines were sold.

“The growth recorded in the first quarter confirms the observation we made last year that the Italian market is on a recovery path,” says Paolo Venturi, president of Unacea, the association of Italian construction machinery manufacturers. “However, we are facing very low figures compared with the pre-crisis level.”

Meanwhile, exports of Italian construction equipment reached EUR135-million in January 2016, a 11,6% decline compared with the same period last year. Earthmoving machines and attachments were down 8,6%) during that period. Imports into Italy were up 2,7% to EUR36,7-million, representing a trade balance decrease of 15,5% but maintaining a surplus of more than EUR98-million.