Exports of United States-made construction machinery totaled $8.2 billion for the first half of 2007, a 22 percent increase compared with January-June 2006, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).
Construction equipment export volume to Asia overall rose 67 percent to total $1.16 billion at mid-year 2007. Exports to China gained 181 percent for the first half of 2007 to total $319.5 million, giving that nation a sixth-place ranking among leading export destinations for US construction machinery.
Central America took delivery of 28 percent more American-made construction equipment during the first half of 2007 compared with 2006 by midyear, for a total of $815 million, and South America increased its purchases 14 percent to total $1.08 billion.
Europe boosted its construction equipment exports 52 percent to total $1.36 billion for the first half of 2007. Canada took delivery of $2.6 billion worth of US-made construction equipment, a 3 percent gain.
Exports to Africa grew 37 percent and totaled $434 million, and exports to Australia/Oceania rose 9 percent, representing $719 million worth of construction machinery.