The Italian construction equipment market was down 24 per cent in the first nine months of the year, compared to the same period last year, according to manufacturers? trade association UNACEA.

Sales totalled 4,091 machines in the first three quarters, compared to 5,386 in January-September 2012. Crawler excavator sales were down -24 per cent to 585 machines, wheeled loaders fell -29 per cent to 341 machines and backhoe loader sales were down -39 per cent across the rigid, articulated and all-wheel steer categories. In the compact equipment sector, mini excavator sales dropped -24 per cent to 2,030 units, skid steer loaders were down -13 per cent to 316 pieces and compact tracked loaders were down -19 per cent to 193 machines. The only area which saw growth was the niche, for Italy, product of articulated dump trucks (ADTs), where sales in the first nine months of 2013 were up to 19 haulers, compared to eight in the same period last year.