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Summary of our market study
In France, the total value of the trailer and semi-trailer market is estimated at around €6 billion in 2023.
The global trailer market is worth over $53 billion.
The European trailer market has struggled to return to pre-crisis levels, but has shown signs of recovery, with a 10% increase in registrations forecast for 2023 in north-western Europe.
The French trailer market rebounded, particularly in the light trailer segment. 85.160 new light trailer registrations were recorded in 2021, marking an increase of almost 20% on 2020.
An analysis of seasonal demand in the French trailer market
In France, the light trailer market is aligned with the Easter and summer vacation periods. Individuals are looking for trailers to increase the load capacity of their vehicles for vacation getaways.
After a drop during the pandemic period, volumes in 2022 exceeded the level of previous years.
The industrial producer price index for the trailer segment rose from 106 to 130 in the space of two years.
In the agricultural segment, sales have rebounded. Rolland, a Breton manufacturer, has the largest market share, with others such as Devès and Siam Gyrax also securing significant shares.
From more modest luggage trailers, at between 180 and 250 euros, to more specialized and more expensive refrigerated trailers, at between 6,500 and 11,000 euros, the market offers consumers a wide range of choices.
Key players
- Trigano: European motorhome specialist
- BennaluLegras Industries: specialized in the design and manufacture of industrial vehicles
- Erdé: specialist in light trailers for cars and leisure activities
- Bennes Marrel
- Gourdon, Rolland, Devès,Siam Gyrax: specialists in agricultural trailers
- Schmitz-Cargobull: Europe's leading manufacturer of semi-trailers
- Krone: European leader in trailers and agricultural machinery
- Fruehaul Wielton: Polish specialist
- Humbaur: German trailer manufacturer
- Fruehauf: semi-trailer manufacturer
- Lohr
- Trouillet
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Inforamtion
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Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of study
According toarticle R311-1 of the FrenchHighway Code , a trailer is defined as follows: " Non-self-propelled vehicle on wheels, intended to be towed by another vehicle ". First of all, we can distinguish between trailers and semi-trailers. According to the Agora Store website, semi-trailers are non-motorized vehicles with wheels on the rear section only, the front section being connected to the carrier vehicle via the latter's fifth wheel coupling. Trailers, on the other hand, have front and rear axles and wheels, and are hitched to the carrier vehicle by hook or drawbar.
The global trailer market is dynamic, growing at a rate of 4.3% since 2020 and set to continue at 10.1% per year until 2027. While North America represents the leading regional trailer market, Asia-Pacific and Europe are also important players. After declining during the Covid-19 crisis, the French market is growing again , mainly driven by the light trailer segment. On a European scale, Germany is France's main partner, with a major share of imports coming from our German-speaking neighbors.
Major players in the French trailer market include Trigano, Legras Industries and Hubière.
The trailer market has to keep pace with strong demand from the goods transport and construction sectors, as well as from private individuals who prefer to opt for a less spacious, more practical car, and equip themselves with a trailer for their space requirements (going on vacation, transporting bulky objects, etc.). The sector is undergoing radical change to adapt to two fundamental trends: offering less polluting products (green energies) and promoting technological innovation (Internet of Things, real-time data collection).
1.2 A fast-growing global market
Trailer market size World, ****-****, in billions Source: ****
The trailer market is growing: the cumulative annual growth rate in the global trailer market has been *.*% since ****, testifying to a gentle but definite recovery from the Covid. Growth is set to accelerate to $**.* billion in ****, at a CAGR of **.*% per annum.
Asia ...
1.3 Renewed growth in the European market
Over the long term, the European semi-trailer fleet has grown by **% compared to ****. Althoughthe European trailer market has been growing since **** and up to ****, it is still struggling to recover its pre-Covid figures, as the pandemic has had a major impact on demand in the transport sector. Holland is the only ...
1.4 Market segmentation for trailers and semi-trailers
Trailer market size France, ****-****, in billions of euros
After a complicated ****-**** period, the French body and trailer manufacturing market is back on the rise, with a strong **% increase between **** and ****. Covid caused this sales figure to fall by **%, before recovering to a compound annual growth rate (***) of **%.
In the ...
1.5 France, a net importer of trailers and semi-trailers
The figures below were obtained using code **** "Trailers and semi-trailers; other vehicles, not mechanically propelled; and their components" on the UN Comtrade international trade site.
Foreign trade in trailers and semi-trailers France, ****-****, in billions of USD Source: ****
While French exports of trailers and semi-trailers remained broadly stable from **** to ****, there ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Peak demand around Easter and summer vacations
Google Trends QSR France, ****-****, index base *** Source: ****
A study of the evolution of the sales index on the trailer market clearly illustrates its seasonal nature. Indeed, peaks are mainly seen in the days and weeks preceding the Easter and summer vacations. This phenomenon is logical insofar as private individuals mainly ...
2.2 A market affected by the Covid-19 pandemic
Trend in trailer sales France, **** - ****, index base *** **** Source: ****
A study of monthly sales trends in the trailer market clearly shows the impact of Covid-** on the industry. Indeed, while the figures for February and March are not particularly worrying as this is the slow period on the market, those for ...
2.3 The construction industry, a major outlet for trailers
The building industry is one of the main markets for trailer manufacturers, due to the need for craftsmen and construction workers to transport bulky goods. The Batiweb site, for example, lists trailers and semi-trailers used by construction professionals: there are road trailers, scaffolding trailers, multi-axle trailers (***), semi-trailers with tipper or designed ...
2.4 Freight transport drives the trailer market
Trends in road freight and trailer registrations France, ****-****, in billions of tonne-km, in thousands of units Source: ****
The graph above clearly illustrates the correlation between new trailer registrations and road freight intensity. When road freight traffic increases, demand for trailer registrations rises; conversely, demand falls when fewer goods are transported ...
3 Market structure
3.1 A fragmented market in the throes of consolidation
Number of companies in the bodywork and trailer manufacturing industry France, ****-****, in units Source: ****
Number of employees in the trailer industry France, ****-****, in units Source: ****
According to INSEE data on bodywork and trailer manufacturing, the market is undergoing a major transformation.
There are a large number of companies operating ...
3.2 Three main trailer distribution networks
According to the Erdé brand, the main distribution networks are :
Car centers and supermarkets Motorcycle and agricultural networks Exclusive trailer dealers
Erdé has three product ranges for different networks:
Erdé Classic: auto centers, mass retailers Daxara by Erdé: motorcycle and agricultural networks, specialized networks Erdé Expert: motorcycle and agricultural networks, specialized ...
3.3 The farm trailer market
In addition to trailers for trucks and cars, trailers are also found on the agricultural market. If we look at sales trends in the agricultural and forestry machinery manufacturing sector, which includes the sub-category "self-loading and self-unloading trailers and agricultural semi-trailers", we can see that these are growing. The index in ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Products
There are several types of trailer, distinguished by their construction, length or use (***):
The trailer can be made up of a wheel, axles steered by a pivot or a kingpin. Heavy-duty trailers may have several axles to support the weight.
The width of trailers is governed by the Highway Code:
*.** ...
4.2 A market with rising prices
French industrial producer price index for the French market France, ****-****, index base *** in **** Source: ****
While production prices for car bodies, trailers and semi-trailers remained stable overall in ****, **** and ****, with a very slight increase, production prices have begun to rise drastically since the end of ****. The French industry's production price index ...
4.3 Trailer price range by type
Ooreka gives a guide price for new trailers:
Price table by trailer type, France, ****
Source: ****
4.4 A fast-changing market driven by numerous innovations
German strategy consultancy Roland Berger has published a report outlining the main trends that are set to shape the commercial vehicle market over the next decade. These trends revolve around four pillars:
New logistics Electrification and alternative transport Autonomous trucks Digitalization
For the trailer market, pillars *. *. and *. are expected to have ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Strict regulations on trailer use
To comply with trailer regulations, it's important to understand the meaning of the terms used:
PV (***): weight of the trailer without load; GVW (***): maximum weight of the loaded trailer; CU (***): authorized load for transporting goods; Actual weight : refers to the weight of the trailer and its load; the actual weight must ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Segmentation of the trailer industry
- Schmitz-Cargobull
- Schwarzmüller
- Wielton
- Krone
- Humbaur
- Kamaz
- Lohr Industrie
- Trouillet Carrosserie groupe
- Hubière
- SEMAT (Zoeller groupe)
- Magyar
- Benalu
- Erdé
- Fruehauf (Wielton Group)
- Decauville Marel (Fassi Group)
- Eurobenne
- Forez Bennes
- Gourdon Frères
- Garnier Remorques
- General au service du cheval
- Bennalu Legras industrie
- Libner
- Remorques Louault Groupe
- Rolland Treflevenez
- Cheval Liberté - Nancy Cheval
- Pommier Groupe
- Devès Remorques
- Siam Gyrax
List of charts presented in this market study
- Trailer market size
- Trailer market size by region
- New semi-trailer registrations
- Size of the European light commercial vehicle trailer market
- Development of the light commercial vehicle trailer market in Germany
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Latest news
The Trouillet bodybuilder makes a place for itself on the road - 22/07/2024
- - Planned investment: between 15 and 18 million euros over five years.
- - Production target: 4,000 bodies per year.
- - Production in 2023: 3,000 bodies.
- - Sales in 2023: 73 million euros.
- - Number of employees: 400.
- - Share of sales generated in industry: 60%.
Trouillet revamps its Vendée plant - 24/02/2024
- The Trouillet Group, founded in 2021 by Adrien and Benoît Trouillet, currently employs 370 people.
- The company ended 2023 with record sales of 73 million euros, up 30% on 2022.
- The company delivered 3,200 vehicles in 2023.
- The company has 14 integrated distribution and service agencies, and 2,000 vehicles available for rental.
- The Trouillet Group has 3 production sites in France.
Val-d'Oise: equipment manufacturer Pommier invests 5 million to modernize - 24/09/2023
- The Pommier Group, equipment supplier to truck trailer manufacturers
- Designs, manufactures and distributes a wide range of industrial body accessories for commercial vehicles, refrigerated trucks and equipment and personnel transfer vehicles for the army.
- The company currently has 300 employees. Current sales total 100 million euros.
- The Pommier Group works with some 10,000 customers throughout Europe.
Light rail: Lohr advances in the Grand Est region - 12/07/2023
- The Lohr Group employs 1,500 people and has forecast sales of €150 million for 2022.
- Lohr plans to deploy a pilot line of battery-powered "Draisy" trains.
- The project is designed to serve small, non-electrified or abandoned train lines.
- The pilot line will link Sarreguemines to Niederbronn-les-Bains.
- Production of around 600 vehicles over the next 15 years is planned.
Gourdon Frères receives grant - 10/04/2023
- Gourdon Frères, based in Aire-sur-l'Adour, specializes in the design and manufacture of trailers, tippers for agriculture and green spaces, and machine carriers for public works, agriculture and road construction.
- As part of its investment program, the company received financial assistance of 187,500 euros. This was used to purchase a painting robot, a press brake and a robotized welding cell.
Alsace-based Lohr turns to Navya to make its city shuttle autonomous. - 26/10/2022
- Lohr: 1,500 employees worldwide
- Sales of 150 million by 2021
- Autonomous mobility systems specialist Navya to automate the Cristal electric city shuttle produced by Lohr
- Navya (€10 million sales, 300 employees) has already deployed 220 other vehicles equipped with its intelligence in 26 countries
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