North America Forklift Market Size & Share 2026-2035

North America Forklift Market Size

The North America forklift market was valued at USD 17.8 billion in 2025. The market is expected to grow from USD 18.6 billion in 2026 to USD 30.1 billion in 2035, at a CAGR of 5.5 %, according to latest report published by Global Market Insights Inc.

The North America market features an organized industry framework, with most manufacturers belonging to the same organization, particularly the Industrial Truck Association (ITA).

The region remains an exporting force, notably in the electric forklift area, which represented approximately 63% of all forklift exports in 2025, according to the ITA. This type of growth is representative of North America's expanding role in the global supply chain as well as a significant producer of forklift technology.

Moreover, advanced technologies are starting to be adopted, especially telematics, IoT-enabled forklifts, and autonomous navigating systems, as the region seeks to utilize its competitive advantage.

North America Forklift Market Trends

Changing innovation and technology transformation are important for the growth of the  North America market.

• Technological advancements, including converging technologies among industrial firms, combined with emerging smart power-driven products such as autonomous systems are defining innovation within the regional material handling industry. One major trend has been that the level of adoption of autonomous forklifts and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in high-volume distribution facilities is growing rapidly.
• These innovative, smart systems are improving the efficiency of repetitive movements in a warehouse at the same time that they are decreasing accidents in the workplace. The integration of sophisticated telematics and predictive maintenance fleet management software is quickly changing the way industrial organizations monitor the health of their equipment.
• Operators utilize up-to-date data on equipment performance to proactively plan for when they will need to perform maintenance on the equipment, manage battery charging cycles more effectively, lessen the number of unexpected repairs or out-of-service equipment, and maintain compliance with safety regulations across multiple operating sites.
• Environmental design trends are also playing a significant role in driving the development of more advanced lithium-ion battery energy platforms, in place of legacy lead-acid batteries. This shift in energy storage technology helps facilities achieve much faster battery charging cycles, provides for zero ongoing maintenance of batteries and increases the level of operational performance of batteries, which significantly decreases total cost to the facility.
• Finally, industrial design of products is shifting to support narrow aisle engineering profiles in conjunction with specialized pick mechanisms and rotating mast systems, which serve to optimize the ability of facilities to increase pallet capacity of desired products without having to expand their physical footprints. These kinds of machinery designs greatly complement today’s architectural trends in buildings for logistical purposes.

North America Forklift Market Analysis

Based on fuel, the industry is electric, diesel and gasoline and LPG/CNG. The electric accounts for revenue of around USD 9.8 billion in the year 2025 and is expected to reach USD 19.3 billion by 2035.

• The current power technologies that are being used in the North American market clearly indicate a shift towards the usage of clean energy and away from the reliance of internal combustion engines. The primary drivers behind this shift are economical, performance, and regulatory in nature: a strong preference is given to clean indoor operations.
• The performance advantages of an electric lift truck combined with the absence of noise and the lack of any tailpipe emissions make electric lift trucks the preferred option in indoor warehouses that support food and beverage as well as pharmaceutical processing. The absence of toxic exhaust fumes has also enabled many warehouse managers to improve indoor air quality for their employees and meet federal workplace safety requirements without any additional effort.
• Despite the fact that electric lift trucks typically have a higher initial capital cost than either diesel or liquid propane lift trucks, they will provide much lower long term operating costs than either of these two fuel types. For example, electric drivetrains have fewer mechanical components than diesel or liquid propane lift trucks, therefore they require less scheduled maintenance.
• The scheduled maintenance associated with electric lift trucks does not include oil changes, and as a result electric lift trucks are less expensive in the long run due to reduced spending on fuel and energy. The modern day electric lift truck is also able to handle demanding multi-shift applications because of the recent advancements in fast-charging lithium-ion technology.
• In addition to allowing the ability to handle demanding multi-shift applications without the need for mid-day battery swaps, opportunity charging can now be performed by the facility during scheduled worker breaks and therefore eliminate the need for dedicated battery storage spaces in the warehouse, thus maximizing the total amount of usable square feet in the warehouse.

Based on the distribution channel, the North America forklift market is bifurcated into direct and indirect channels. The indirect segments held the largest share, accounting for 51.8% of the North America market in 2025.

• The North American forklift industry is primarily made up of indirect and direct sales channels. Businesses in this area rely on a large network of independent dealerships which act as intermediaries between companies that make heavy equipment and their end customers within their area.
• Independent equipment dealerships maintain their dominance in this market with their ability to provide full support of the products they sell as well as specific fleet consulting services that are unavailable from direct source dealers. Most customers do not buy heavy equipment based on specifications alone, but also require ongoing maintenance agreements, emergency service and financing options.
• Indirect sellers have also been able to thrive as a result of maintaining significant numbers of rental units in their areas and allow their clients to quickly increase capacity during higher seasonal distribution times. Without local rental options, warehouse operators would be subject to long factory lead times for new or replacement units and would not have immediate access to provide machinery for their operation if they experience sudden increases in workload.
• Also, dealership networks provide specialized technical support, field service technicians, and local parts availability, which allows warehouse and distribution centres to operate without interruption.
• As a consequence, the close support provided by local dealership networks mitigates the risk of unanticipated downtime because factory-certified technicians will be able to service malfunctioning equipment in a matter of minutes.

U.S. Forklift Market

In 2025, the U.S. dominated the North America market growth in North America, accounting for 81.7% of the share in the region.

• The U.S. market is driven by strong growth in warehousing, logistics, and e‑commerce fulfillment infrastructure. The expansion of large‑scale distribution centers has increased demand for electric and automated forklifts. Companies are investing in material‑handling efficiency to manage high inventory turnover.   
• Technological advancements such as lithium‑ion batteries, telematics, and semi‑autonomous forklifts are accelerating market expansion. Regulatory focus on emissions and workplace safety is pushing shifts toward electric forklifts. The presence of major OEMs and strong aftermarket support further sustains demand.  

Canada Forklift Market

Canada market is expected to grow at 5.1% during the forecast period.

• Canada’s market growth is supported by expanding logistics and supply chain operations, particularly in urban and cross‑border trade hubs. The rise of e‑commerce is driving demand for efficient material handling equipment in distribution centers. Government initiatives supporting industrial modernization also contribute to equipment upgrades.
• Environmental regulations and sustainability goals are encouraging the adoption of electric and low‑emission forklifts across industries. Businesses are increasingly investing in fleet modernization to improve operational efficiency and reduce downtime. The presence of international OEMs and strong dealer networks enhances product availability.  

North America Forklift Market Share

The top companies in the North America forklift Crown Equipment Corporation, Toyota Material Handling, Hyster-Yale, Inc., KION GROUP AG and Jungheinrich AG, collectively hold a share of 55.1% of the market in 2025. These prominent players are proactively involved in strategic endeavors, such as mergers & acquisitions, facility expansions & collaborations, to expand their product portfolios, extend their reach to a broad customer base, and strengthen their market position.

• Crown Equipment Corporation is a leading North America‑focused forklift manufacturer, known for its strong portfolio of electric lift trucks and warehouse solutions. The company emphasizes vertically integrated manufacturing and advanced telematics through its InfoLink system. Crown has a strong presence in warehousing and logistics applications.
• Toyota Material Handling North America is the market leader in the region, offering a comprehensive range of electric, internal combustion, and automated forklifts. The company leverages Toyota’s global manufacturing excellence and reliability standards. It has an extensive dealer network across the U.S. and Canada. Toyota is also heavily investing in automation and connected warehouse solutions.
• Hyster‑Yale is a major player providing a diverse range of forklifts under the Hyster and Yale brands, catering to industrial, logistics, and heavy‑duty applications. The company focuses on balancing internal combustion and electric product lines. It emphasizes durability and application‑specific customization. Hyster‑Yale is expanding into hydrogen fuel cell and electrification technologies to meet evolving demand.  

North America Forklift Market Companies

Major players operating in the North America forklift industry are:

• Big Joe Forklifts
• Caterpillar Inc.
• Clark Material Handling
• Combilift
• Crown Equipment Corporation
• Doosan Bobcat North America Inc.
• Fox Robotics
• Guangxi LiuGong Machinery
• Hoist Liftruck Manufacturing
• Hubtex
• Hyster-Yale, Inc.
• Hyundai Material Handling
• Jungheinrich AG
• KION GROUP AG
• Manitou Group SA
• Mitsubishi Logisnext Co., Ltd.
• Noblelift Intelligent Equipment
• Pettibone LLC
• Sellick Equipment Limited
• Taylor Forklifts
• Toyota Material Handling North America
• Titan Forklifts

KION Group operates strongly in North America through its brands such as Linde and Baoli, focusing on advanced material handling solutions. The company integrates forklifts with warehouse automation and supply chain systems. It is recognized for innovation in lithium‑ion technology and digital fleet management. KION is strengthening its U.S. footprint through acquisitions and automation investments.

Jungheinrich is a key international competitor expanding its presence in North America with a focus on electric forklifts and automated warehouse solutions. The company specializes in energy‑efficient equipment and lithium‑ion battery systems. It targets high‑density warehousing and intralogistics applications. Jungheinrich is investing in local manufacturing and partnerships to grow its regional market share.

North America Forklift Industry News

• In March 2026, KION GROUP AG introduced "physical AI" systems at the NVIDIA GTC 2026 conference in San José, California. Developed with Siemens, NVIDIA, and Accenture, this innovation uses real-time data and autonomous computing to optimize fleet operations in North American distribution centers.
• In February 2026, Crown Equipment Corporation's WJ 50 Series compact electric pallet truck gained market recognition. Powered by V-Force 48-volt lithium-ion batteries, this Class III walkie series was nominated for the 2026 International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Awards for its suitability in tight, high-density warehouses.
• In November 2025, Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas  announced the commercial launch of the Jungheinrich EFG C20Q-C40Q electric forklift series. Engineered explicitly with narrow-aisle operations in mind, this Class I electric vehicle range provides an heavy-duty heavy lifting alternative designed to directly replace Class IV internal combustion (IC) models.
• In October 2025, Toyota Material Handling North America invested in Advanced Charging Technologies (ACT). This partnership provides access to advanced energy solutions, including cloud-managed fast-charging systems, to meet the power demands of heavy-duty warehouse equipment.
• In August 2025, Toyota Material Handling launched three heavy-duty electric stackers. Designed for narrow aisles, these stackers lift 2,000 to 4,000-pound loads up to 189 inches, addressing the needs of distribution centers transitioning from combustion platforms.

The North America forklift market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue (USD Billion) volume (Thousand Units) (from 2022 to 2035), for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Warehouse Forklifts
  • Narrow Aisle Trucks
  • Reach Trucks
  • Order Pickers
• Counterbalance Forklifts
  • Stand-Up Models
  • Sit-Down Models
• Rough Terrain Forklifts
  • Variable Reach (Telescoping Boom)
  • Vertical Mast Type

Market, By Fuel

• Diesel
• Electric
• Gasoline & LPG/CNG

Market, By Class

• Class I
• Class II
• Class III
• Class IV
• Class V
• Class VI
• Class VII

Market, By End Use

• Chemical
• Food & beverages
• Industrial
• Logistics
• Retail & e-commerce
• Others

Market, By Distribution Channel

• Direct sales
• Indirect sales

The above information is provided for the following countries:

• U.S.
• Canada