Truck and Small Trailer Approvals Shift in Q1 2025

A new report from Retain Media shows a mixed start to the year for Australia’s trailer industry, with approvals for truck trailers falling sharply while the small trailer segment posted modest growth.

Unlike previous updates based on proprietary datasets, Retain Media’s latest report draws on Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) figures from Q1 2025, offering insight into how many new trailers received regulatory approval for use in Australia. While these figures don’t confirm sales, they serve as a strong indicator of manufacturing activity and market momentum.

Truck Trailer Market Contracts

Truck trailer approvals dropped 18.2% year-on-year, with entries falling from 4,799 to 3,923 units. Maxitrans recorded the steepest decline, nearly halving its volume to 298 approvals, while Vawdrey held onto top position despite a 29.5% drop.

Bruce Rock Engineering stood out with a modest increase in volume that translated to a significant market share boost, up from 4.3% to 5.3%. FTE Trailers was one of the few brands to post absolute growth, lifting its approvals from 65 to 72.

Smaller manufacturers held steady, with the ‘Other makes’ category maintaining a 40.3% share of the market. This stability highlights the fragmented nature of the truck trailer segment, where low-volume and niche builders continue to play a central role.

Small Trailers Hold Ground

The small trailer segment saw approvals rise 1.9% to 29,795 units. Victorian Trailers climbed to the top of the leaderboard with a 12.6% gain, overtaking Stonegate Industries, which fell sharply by 34%.

John Papas Trailers posted the most eye-catching result, leaping from 44 to 570 approvals, a 1,195% increase off a low base. King Kong Trailers also surged, while Century, Dunbier and Bigman Trailers all recorded solid growth.

Meanwhile, the dominance of unlisted builders began to ease. The combined share of ‘Other makes’ fell from 52.3% to 48.7%, suggesting a slow shift toward consolidation among higher-volume brands.

To explore the full breakdown and detailed brand-by-brand analysis, visit Retain Media to read and download the complete Q1 2025 Trailer Market Report.

Explore the full range of trailers for sale today on OnlyTrailers.com.au


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