Caterpillar global sales rise 34 percent in August

PEORIA — Caterpillar’s global heavy equipment sales rose 34 percent in August, with strong growth continuing despite the economic slowdown in the U.S. and Europe.

The world’s largest maker of mining and construction equipment, based in Peoria, provided an update on sales Tuesday in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In August 2010, Caterpillar said sales rose 37 percent.

Caterpillar’s sales figures are watched closely because they are considered an indicator of the health of the global economy.

The strongest regions for equipment sales in August were Latin America, with 43 percent sales growth, and a region encompassing Europe, Africa and the Middle East, where sales rose 46 percent.

Caterpillar said engine sales 14 percent worldwide in August.