Italian equipment sales slip

Sales of construction equipment in Italy fell by -9,3% in the first quarter of the year, compared to the same period in 2007. The sales volume for the first three months of the year was 5954 machines.

Giuseppe Fano, chairman of Italian construction equipment trade association Comamoter said, "After eight consecutive months of sustained growth in our sector we should interpret these negative signs with due caution."

He went on to say that 2007 was an exceptional year in terms of construction equipment sales in Italy, with a +9,2% rise in unit sales compared to 2006. This was significantly ahead of the +5,9% trend growth seen in the sector over previous years.

Commenting on the first three months of 2008, Mr Fano said, " The results vary depending on the product line and geographical region. Based on these considerations and in the light of encouraging trends in the construction sector we do not believe it is necessary to revise our forecasts. On the whole, performance will be in line with the record volumes posted for 2007."

In macro-regional terms, the earthmoving machinery market saw a fall of -10,6% in northern Italy where 3294 units were sold in the first quarter. Sales fell -8.4% to 1451 units in central Italy and -6.7% to 1209 units in the southern Italy and its and islands.