The South American powered access platform market has undergone a profound transformation over the past five years, evolving from a relatively small and fragmented segment into a rental-driven industry with increasing scale, sophistication and strategic relevance. Although the region still represents only a marginal share of global demand (less than five per cent), recent growth dynamics, changes in supplier structure and the professionalization of rental fleets have positioned powered access as one of the most dynamic equipment categories in South America.

Between 2020 and 2024, sales of aerial work platforms expanded sharply, expansion that has not been uniform across countries or equipment types and has been strongly influenced by a small number of large rental operators whose fleet investment decisions increasingly shape national and regional market outcomes.

At the same time, the competitive landscape has changed. Chinese manufacturers now dominate unit sales across most segments, supported by aggressive pricing, flexible financing schemes and growing product portfolios. Traditional Western manufacturers, while still relevant in higher-reach and more specialised applications, face mounting pressure in volume-driven categories such as scissor lifts and mid-range articulated platforms. This shift has raised broader questions around pricing sustainability, residual values and the long-term balance between cost competitiveness and operational reliability.

Built on information gathered directly from manufacturers, distributors and customs records, this study presents an up-to-date and reliable view of the market across the five most relevant countries in the region: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia and Peru. In a regional context where investment decisions are heavily influenced by access to finance, public infrastructure cycles and commodity prices, understanding the dynamics of the mobile crane sector is essential for identifying commercial opportunities and anticipating future developments.

This report is intended as a decision-making tool for manufacturers, distributors, rental companies, financial institutions, importers and all other stakeholders in the heavy lifting value chain. Its purpose is to deliver useful, trustworthy and wellcontextualised information for commercial, strategic and operational planning