The volume of the semi-trailer market (new, imported used, domestic market) shrank by 39% in 2025 compared to 2024, to 15,486 thousand units, according to the Automotive Market Research Institute.
“The largest decline (by 46% to 4,445 thousand units) was recorded in the used import segment – the market is actually saturated with European ”second-hand“ vehicles,” according to a statement on the analysts’ website.
It is noted that the secondary market, where the decline was 35.3% to 9,847 units, was dominated by German giants, with Schmitz Cargobull (2,224 units) remaining unattainable, followed by Krone (1,026 units) and Kögel (905 units).
Popular types are flatbed and tent trailers, with tankers holding a significant share, which is critical for the fuel and agricultural sectors.
Experts note that Ukrainian Everlast (129 units) is firmly held in the top ten of this market segment, which, in their opinion, indicates the high liquidity of domestic tankers on the secondary market.
According to analysts, demand in the used imported semi-trailer segment is clearly structured around international routes: in addition to standard tarpaulins, great attention is paid to refrigerated vans.
In this segment, Schmitz Cargobull occupies the lion’s share of the market – almost 2,000 semi-trailers, or almost half of used imports.
Among new semi-trailers, dump trucks (construction and agriculture), refrigerators, and tent trailers are popular. At the same time, among imported new semi-trailers, imports of which fell by 39.1% to 9,581 units, the leading brands were Schmitz Cargobull (352 units) and Wielton (123 units).
At the same time, 236 semi-trailers were produced in Ukraine last year (28.3% less than the previous year), and in the new semi-trailer segment, Ukrainian manufacturer Everlast (82 units) came in fourth after Schmitz Cargobull, Wielton, and Krone, while Ukrainian manufacturers TAD (53 units) and VARZ (46 units) came in fifth and sixth.
Experts believe that when it comes to complex special equipment (trawls or tanks), Ukrainian carriers are increasingly choosing local manufacturers because of better service and adaptation to our conditions.
“The trailer market in 2025 finally got rid of the feverish demand. We see that the number of new Ukrainian-made trailers has fallen significantly less (-28.3%) than imports of new ones (-39.1%). This is an important signal: Ukrainian factories have learned to make a product that businesses are willing to buy even in difficult times,” Stanislav Buchatsky, head of the Automotive Market Research Institute, is quoted as saying in the report.
He notes that the overall decline in the market is not a sign of crisis, but a stage of stabilization—fleets are fully equipped, and logistics chains are in place.
“Now the market is moving towards planned renewal, where the main factors are not the availability of equipment ‘for yesterday’, but its fuel efficiency, weight, and maintenance costs,” he states.
