In 2023, global sales of dump trucks soared to their highest level in 15 years, surpassing 16,000 units. This surge, however, comes amid shifting trends in machine preferences and buying patterns. The advent of larger articulated dump trucks, particularly those in the 50- and 60-ton ranges, has significantly altered the market landscape. These trucks have outpaced their rigid counterparts due to their superior off-road capabilities, which reduce maintenance costs for haul roads. Consequently, sales of rigid dump trucks have declined from 5,000-6,000 annually in the late 2000s to 2,000-3,000 in the 2010s.
Articulated trucks have gained traction in Europe, North America, and select markets like Australia, Indonesia, and South Africa. However, they have not achieved similar success in Asia’s major equipment markets, such as China and India.
A new contender is emerging: wide-bodied trucks (WBTs), driven by Chinese manufacturers. These trucks, built on reinforced on-highway chassis, can handle loads of up to 100 tons and are rapidly replacing traditional rigid dump trucks under this weight in China. Although WBTs face limitations, such as difficulty with steep haul roads and high tire wear, their cost-effectiveness—about one-third of traditional rigid trucks—makes them appealing.
Additionally, many WBTs are battery-electric with swappable batteries, addressing downtime issues associated with charging. As Chinese manufacturers expand exports, these trucks are gaining traction in emerging markets and catching the interest of international OEMs, including traditional off-road truck suppliers like Develon.
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