Automotive Trailer Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Vehicle Type (Two-Wheelers, Passenger Cars, Commercial Vehicles), By Trailer Type (Dry Van and Box, Refrigerator, Chemical and Liquid, Tipper, Flatbed, and Others), By Axle Type (Single Axle, Tandem Axle, Three or More Than Three Axle), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 23.09 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.92%
Fastest Growing Segment	Commercial Vehicles
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 36.48 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Automotive Trailer Market will grow from USD 23.09 Billion in 2025 to USD 36.48 Billion by 2031 at a 7.92% CAGR. The Global Automotive Trailer Market encompasses the production and sale of unpowered vehicles towed by motorized units for transporting freight, materials, or recreational equipment. Market expansion is principally driven by robust growth in the global logistics industry and the rising necessity for efficient cargo mobility solutions. Additionally, infrastructure development and the expanding cold chain sector for perishable goods support the demand for specialized trailers. Indicative of recent activity in a key region, according to the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), in December 2024, new trailer registrations in Germany reached 12,879 units.

A significant challenge impeding expansion is the volatility in raw material prices, particularly steel and aluminum, which escalates manufacturing costs. This instability, combined with stringent regulatory standards regarding vehicle safety, compels manufacturers to increase expenditure on compliance. These elevated costs are often passed to fleet operators, potentially delaying fleet renewal cycles and constraining market growth during periods of economic uncertainty.

Key Market Drivers

The Expansion of the Global Logistics and Freight Transportation Sector acts as the primary catalyst for the automotive trailer market, fundamentally driven by the escalating volume of goods requiring overland transport. As supply chains become more integrated and consumer delivery expectations tighten, fleet operators are compelled to acquire additional dry van and curtain-side trailers to manage increased throughput. This trajectory is underpinned by projections of sustained freight accumulation, which directly correlates with fleet expansion requirements. According to the American Trucking Associations, January 2025, in the 'U.S. Freight Transportation Forecast to 2035', total truck tonnage was projected to rise from an estimated 11.27 billion tons in 2024 to 13.99 billion tons by 2035. Such volume growth necessitates a parallel increase in trailer manufacturing to ensure capacity aligns with the logistical demands of modern economies.

Simultaneously, the Rising Demand for Cold Chain Logistics and Refrigerated Transport is significantly reshaping market dynamics, necessitating specialized insulated trailers for pharmaceuticals and perishables. This segment is expanding rapidly as global food trade and strict safety regulations intensify the need for temperature-controlled mobility solutions. Indicative of this capacity scaling, according to the Global Cold Chain Alliance, April 2025, in the '2025 Global Top 25 List', temperature-controlled capacity among the top 25 global operators increased by 640 million cubic feet compared to the previous year. Despite these strong demand drivers, manufacturers face a complex production environment. For instance, according to Schmitz Cargobull, September 2025, in the 'Annual Report 2024/25', the company reported production volumes of approximately 42,300 vehicles, generating revenue of around €2.16 billion amidst fluctuating market conditions.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The volatility in raw material prices, particularly for steel and aluminum, constitutes a formidable barrier to the growth of the Global Automotive Trailer Market. These metals are essential for manufacturing trailer chassis and body structures, making production costs highly sensitive to market fluctuations. When material prices rise unpredictably, manufacturers are compelled to adjust their pricing strategies to protect margins, often passing the elevated costs directly to the buyers. This instability disrupts financial planning for production and creates a difficult pricing environment that discourages long-term supply contracts.

Consequently, the transmission of increased manufacturing costs to fleet operators results in a measurable contraction in market demand. Faced with higher capital expenditure requirements, logistics companies and commercial operators frequently delay fleet renewal cycles or cancel expansion plans, leading to a stagnation in new trailer registrations. This hampering effect is evident in recent industry performance metrics. According to the North American Trailer Dealers Association, in 2025, the trailer industry recorded a year-over-year decline of approximately 6.8% in the first quarter. Such data underscores how cost pressures, driven by raw material instability, directly constrain purchasing power and impede the overall momentum of the market.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Telematics and Smart Trailer Connectivity is fundamentally altering asset management by converting standard trailers into intelligent, data-generating nodes. Beyond simple location tracking, advanced systems now monitor critical health metrics such as tire pressure and brake status in real-time, enabling fleet operators to transition from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance strategies. This connectivity is particularly vital for optimizing utilization rates and ensuring cargo integrity through granular environmental monitoring, which directly addresses the efficiency demands of modern logistics. Highlighting the operational value of this technology, according to Teletrac Navman, March 2024, in the 'Telematics Survey 2024', 96% of global respondents reported tangible savings through streamlined administration, improved fuel efficiency, or reduced overall operational costs.

The Development of Electrified Trailers and Regenerative E-Axles represents a critical technological shift aimed at decarbonizing heavy-duty transport and complying with stricter emissions regulations. These systems utilize regenerative braking to capture energy normally lost during deceleration, storing it in onboard batteries to power auxiliary equipment or provide supplemental propulsion assist to the towing vehicle. This architecture not only reduces dependency on diesel fuel but also effectively hybridizes internal combustion fleets while extending the range of electric trucks. Validating the efficiency potential of this technology, according to Transport Topics, January 2024, in the 'Range Eyes May Debut of Its Next Electric Trailers' article, preliminary third-party testing of Range Energy's electric trailer platform demonstrated up to 36.9% fuel efficiency gains for semi-trucks.

Segmental Insights

The Commercial Vehicles segment is the fastest-growing category within the Global Automotive Trailer Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the rising demand for efficient road freight transport due to rapid industrialization and the extensive growth of the e-commerce sector. Logistics providers are increasingly investing in trailers to enhance fleet capacity and operational efficiency. Furthermore, continuous infrastructure developments in emerging economies are facilitating heavy-duty transport, directly stimulating the adoption of commercial trailers. Consequently, the sustained reliance on road transportation for long-haul cargo delivery continues to strengthen the market position of this segment globally.

Regional Insights

North America leads the Global Automotive Trailer Market, supported by an expansive road network and a highly developed logistics industry that relies heavily on truck transport. This dominance is fueled by the rapid expansion of e-commerce, which sustains high demand for dry van trailers to manage regional distribution. Furthermore, strict federal mandates from the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) enforce rigorous safety and weight standards, necessitating regular fleet modernization. These factors, alongside a thriving cold-chain sector for pharmaceuticals and perishables, secure the region's status as the principal market for automotive trailers.

Recent Developments

• In November 2024, Wabash expanded its aftermarket support infrastructure by adding 14 new locations to its Preferred Partner Network, significantly increasing access to genuine parts and services across the United States. This strategic expansion aimed to minimize downtime for fleet customers by improving parts availability in regions that were previously underserved by the company's existing dealer network. The initiative unified the distribution channels for the manufacturer's diverse product portfolio, including van trailers, platform trailers, and tank trailers. The Managing Director of the parts division emphasized that this broader network would deliver superior service reliability and faster turnaround times for equipment maintenance.
• In August 2024, Krone Trailer introduced a new generation of Box Liner container chassis, engineered to be lighter and more versatile for intermodal transport operations. The launch included the TU45 model, which featured a short wheelbase capable of transporting 45-foot containers without exceeding drive axle load limits on two-axle tractors. The company utilized high-strength steel in a central tube design to enhance the robustness of the chassis while minimizing its unladen weight. This product launch, which preceded the IAA Transportation trade fair, highlighted the company's focus on delivering multifunctional solutions that accommodate various container sizes and optimize payload efficiency for logistics operators.
• In June 2024, Schmitz Cargobull strengthened its position in the refrigerated logistics sector by acquiring a majority stake in Atlantis Global System, a Spanish specialist in telematics for the cold chain. This strategic partnership allowed the company to integrate the acquired entity’s real-time temperature monitoring data directly into its existing telematics portal, offering customers a comprehensive solution for managing temperature-controlled freight. The acquisition was described as a significant step in developing advanced fleet management systems. The CEO of the acquired firm retained his leadership position, ensuring operational continuity while leveraging the trailer manufacturer's extensive resources for future product development.
• In March 2024, Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company advanced its collaboration with a European trailer manufacturer by making their jointly developed transport refrigeration units available on its 3000R refrigerated trailers across North America. The Chief of Sales announced that the new hybrid mono-temperature and multi-temperature units would be accompanied by a five-year warranty in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. These innovative units were designed to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 percent and eliminate emissions under certain operating conditions. Additionally, the company confirmed that aftermarket support and parts for these units would be accessible through a specialized dealer network.

Key Market Players

• Bockmann Fahrzeugwerke Gmbh
• China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd
• Dennison Trailers Ltd
• Great Dane LLC
• Humbaur Gmbh
• Hyundai Translead
• Ifor Williams Trailers Ltd.
• Schmitz Cargobull Aktiengesellschaft
• Utility Trailer Manufacturing Company, LLC
• Wabash National Corporation

By Vehicle Type	By Trailer Type	By Axle Type	By Region
Two-Wheelers Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles	Dry Van and Box Refrigerator Chemical and Liquid Tipper Flatbed Others	Single Axle Tandem Axle Three or More Than Three Axle	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Automotive Trailer Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Automotive Trailer Market, By Vehicle Type:

• Two-Wheelers
• Passenger Cars
• Commercial Vehicles

• Automotive Trailer Market, By Trailer Type:

• Dry Van and Box
• Refrigerator
• Chemical and Liquid
• Tipper
• Flatbed
• Others

• Automotive Trailer Market, By Axle Type:

• Single Axle
• Tandem Axle
• Three or More Than Three Axle

• Automotive Trailer Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE