Construction machinery sales in China surge: excavators +24.7%, loaders +27.3%, electric models +90.9%
In the first five months, 126,875 excavators and 67,162 loaders were sold. Exports of electric loaders jumped 208% to 1,232 units. Chinese machinery is confidently conquering both domestic and overseas markets.
As reported by CCTV+, the China Construction Machinery Association announced on Monday that sales of construction machinery in China soared in the first five months of 2026, with double‑digit growth in both domestic and foreign markets.
From January to May, 126,875 excavators were sold — up 24.7% year‑on‑year. Total sales of loaders of all types reached 67,162 units, a 27.3% increase. Both categories showed double‑digit growth in domestic and international markets.
New energy construction machinery also maintained strong momentum. Cumulative sales of electric loaders in January–May reached 20,819 units — a 90.9% increase — while exports hit 1,232 units, up 208%.
Chinese manufacturers continue to upgrade and expand their global presence. The potential for overseas sales is being unlocked at an accelerating pace.
Su Jimeng, president of the China Construction Machinery Association (CCMA), said: "Our industry continues to advance toward high‑tech, intelligent, green, and integrated construction. Innovation capabilities have greatly improved, and the replacement of old equipment with new intelligent and electric machines is clearly accelerating. Today, the technical sophistication, performance, and after‑sales service of Chinese construction machinery meet the needs of both domestic and international markets well."
CCMA forecasts that in 2026, the industry's operating revenue and export volume will grow steadily. A significant increase in new energy equipment is also expected, which will boost productivity and expand the practical application of electric excavators and other models.
When excavators and loaders see double‑digit growth, it is always a signal: the economy is moving. Chinese construction machinery today is no longer just about buckets and tracks. It is about sensors, electric motors, smart systems, and global service networks. Behind the 208% export surge of electric machines lies a transition from simple mechanical force to clean, quiet, and intelligent power. The future of construction is already arriving — and it runs on a plug.
