Heavy earthmoving equipment is up 8.6% to 5,100 machines, according to data compiled by CISMA, a member of France’s Federation of Mechanical Engineering Industries (FIM).
However, the increase is much lower for compact equipment, just 2% over in 2018 over 2017. Sales reached 17,250 machines in France, Europe’s third largest market for such equipment.
For crawler excavators, the market remained stable in 2018 compared to 2017.
Mini excavators, which account for 73% of the total crawler excavator market, posted a slight decline of 2%. The decrease is explained by a 15% decline in sales to renters. Nonetheless, the mini excavator market is close to historical record levels.
The market for excavators of more than 6 tonnes operating weight continued to improve, with a rise of 4%. Meanwhile, sales for excavators between 6-12tonnes dipped by 1% but sales of crawler excavators over 12tonnes jumped 7% to 2,377 units.
The French earthmoving equipment market increased by more than 3% last year - the best year since the market crash of 2008.
