Total registrations of trailers and truck bodies reached 117,046 units, a 3.2% decrease from 120,921 in the same period of 2021, according to the National Association of Road Implement Manufacturers in Brazil (ANFIR).

The market for trailers and semi-trailers in Italy grew by 32.3% in 2021, from 11,414 units the year before to 15,097 units, according to ANFIA.

Despite supply shortages and production stoppages during 2021, the Brazilian truck manufacturers responded well to a market that grew strongly: According to data from Anfavea (National Association of Automotive Vehicle Manufacturers) sales in 2021 totalled 128,679, an increase of 43.5% compared with 89,678 units in 2020.

Production of trailer and truck bodies in Brazil during the third quarter of 2021 totalled  44,132 units, an increase of 22% over Q3 2020, according to ANFIR.

Trailer and truck body builders in Brazil are warning the price increases in raw materials will impact economic recovery and their businesses this year. In particular, the impact the increase in the price of steel – still the main building commodity – is likely to have a negative impact on sales and the ability of the manufacturers to supply customers in 2021.

Data collated and analysed by ANFIR (National Association of Manufacturers of Road Implements) of São Paulo, reveals that, despite the pandemic, the market for road implements (trailers and truck bodywork) in the first quarter of 2021 finished with substantial growth.

Overall, total sales of truck bodies and semi-trailers finished the year up 0.8% over the previous year, by registering 121,891 units against 120,962 units, according to Anfir.

Despite March figures, which recorded a fall in the sales of new trailers and semi-trailers of 9.6%, the market for the first quarter this year recorded an overall gain of 8.4%, according to Russian Automotive Market Research.

The Russian trailer market after six years of growth declined in 2019.

In six months’ time,  Hendrickson International plans to start trailer axle and suspension production (April 2020) at a brand new plant in Navarre according to Gary Gerstenslager, president and CEO of Hendrickson speaking at the NACV Show in Atlanta last month.