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2. Chinese excavator production hits another high

Production of crawler, mini and wheeled excavators totalled 248,600 units in 2018, according to a detailed analysis in the February Market Report from Off-Highway Research’s Chinese Service. It was the second year in a row that the country’s excavator production had set a new record, and output was 18 per cent more than was seen at the height of the stimulus spending boom in 2011.

The study looks on a factory-by-factory basis at production of the three types of excavator for all major OEMs – both domestic and international – active in China. It compares actual production in 2019 with the design capacity of each factory.

One alarming conclusion is that although there have never been more excavators produced in China, factory utilisation last year stood at only 51 per cent of theoretical capacity. However, it is a moot point as to whether this could be achieved. Demand in the last two years ahs seen waiting times lengthen due to component supply shortages – particularly hydraulic components.

Off-Highway Research’s February 2020 China Market Report is now available to subscribers to the Chinese Service. Click here to log in. If you do not currently subscribe to the Chinese service, click here for more details or contact [email protected] to enquire about a subscription. The Chinese Service is available in both English and Chinese.