Fire-fighting vehicles market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the fire-fighting vehicle market volume in Germany increased from 1 188 to 1 833 units. This growth was supported by the need to replace aging fire department fleets and by infrastructure investments linked to urbanization. Enhanced public procurement, including a major order for Ziegler, further boosted demand. In 2020, however, market volume fell to 1 267 units as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, leading to extended delivery times of 18–33 months.

The decline continued into 2021 and 2022, with market volume reaching a low of 455 units in 2022, partly due to budget constraints in smaller municipalities. During this period, stricter emission and safety regulations accelerated the development of more advanced and expensive vehicles, which raised the market value to 270.4 million US dollars in 2020 despite the drop in unit numbers. Recovery began in 2023, and by 2024 the market volume had risen to 784 units, driven by the strong trend toward electrification—almost 45% of new special orders featured hybrid or electric powertrains—and by the integration of remote monitoring and sensor-based diagnostic systems.

Production fire-fighting vehicles in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of fire-fighting vehicles declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 362.4 million US dollars, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, unit

After two years of growth, Germany's production of fire-fighting vehicles declined. In 2020, 1 247 units were produced, down by 14.5% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, production increased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The minimum production was recorded in 2017 at 1 136 units, while the maximum was in 2019 at 1 459 units. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 23.1% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

Exports fire-fighting vehicles from Germany

Exports in kind, unit

Fire-fighting vehicle exports from Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 401 units, reflecting a sharp drop of 38.3% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 52%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Chile accounted for 7.7% of exports, France for 7.5%, and Hong Kong for 6.8%, together making up only 22.0% of total flows. The remaining 78.0% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Fire-fighting vehicle exports from Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 171.4 million US dollars, indicating a decrease of 22.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 27.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 251.1 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 5.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 can be described as diversified. Hong Kong accounted for 12.4% of exports, China for 8.1%, and France for 7.2%, together representing just 27.7% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports fire-fighting vehicles to Germany

Imports in kind, unit

In 2020, the volume of fire-fighting vehicle imports into Germany amounted to 421 units, down by 58.9% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 52.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 024 units, with the largest increase that year at 51.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, unit

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Italy and Austria concentrated 80.4% of total imports in kind, while the remaining share was distributed among other destinations with smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Fire-fighting vehicle imports into Germany increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 79.4 million US dollars, up by 8.9% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 56.7 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 27.2%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 28.5% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Over 2017 to 2020, Austria contributed 39.7% of imports in value terms, Italy 35.7%, and Switzerland 5.7%, jointly accounting for 81.0% of total flows, making them the biggest contributors to imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020