California hosts one of the largest and most diverse forklift markets in the United States, with an extensive network of authorized dealers serving the state's massive logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and port industries. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of major forklift dealers in California, organized by brand and region.
Toyota Dealers
Dealer Location(s) Services / Notes
Southwest ToyotaLift Anaheim, Thousand Palms (CA) and Las Vegas (NV) Authorized Toyota dealer; new/used sales, rentals, service, parts, training, warehouse solutions
Madland Toyota-Lift Bakersfield, Oxnard, Santa Maria (Central Coast) Established 1981; Toyota forklifts, rentals, service, and parts
Toyota Material Handling Solutions Southern California (Los Angeles-Long Beach corridor) Also distributor for Konecranes container forklifts in Southern California
Toyota Material Handling Livermore, Hayward, Sacramento, Salinas, Fresno (Northern CA) Authorized parts distributor; service for all makes and models
Caterpillar (CAT) Dealers
Dealer Location(s) Services / Notes
Holt of California Central and Northern CA Authorized CAT dealer since 1931; full equipment line including forklifts
Alta Lift (Quinn Group) Central and Southern CA Authorized CAT, Crown, Kalmar, Manitou, Combilift dealer; sales, rentals, service
Clark and Mitsubishi Dealers
Dealer Location(s) Services / Notes
Cal-Lift, Inc. City of Industry, CA Authorized Clark dealer; family-owned since 1964; container handling specialists
Holt of California Central and Northern CA Also handles Mitsubishi forklifts
Hyster and Yale Dealers
Dealer Location(s) Services / Notes
Southern California Material Handling Los Angeles area Hyster and Yale dealer
Briggs Equipment Multiple CA locations Hyster and Yale dealer; full-service sales, rentals, parts, service
Crown Dealers
Dealer Location(s) Services / Notes
Alta Lift (Quinn Group) Central and Southern CA Authorized Crown dealer
Crown Equipment Direct sales and dealer network Electric warehouse forklifts, reach trucks, order pickers
Komatsu Dealers
Dealer Location(s) Services / Notes
Lyle Machinery Multiple CA locations Komatsu forklifts and construction equipment
Heli (Chinese Value Brand)
Dealer Location(s) Services / Notes
Heli USA Various Chinese value brand; electric and diesel models
Specialized / Heavy-Duty Dealers
Dealer Location(s) Services / Notes
Toyota Material Handling Solutions Los Angeles-Long Beach corridor Konecranes container forklifts and heavy-duty equipment
Cal-Lift, Inc. City of Industry Container handlers, Taylor forklifts, heavy-duty material handling
Forklift Rental Companies
Rental Provider Locations Equipment
United Rentals Multiple CA locations Full forklift fleet
Sunbelt Rentals Multiple CA locations Forklifts and telehandlers
Holt of California Central/Northern CA CAT, Mitsubishi, Clark rentals
Southwest ToyotaLift Anaheim, CA Toyota rentals
Cal-Lift, Inc. City of Industry, CA Clark, Taylor rentals
Used Forklift Sources in California
Online marketplaces: Machinery Trader, Machinio, Equipment Trader, Eliftruck
Auction platforms: Ritchie Bros., Purple Wave, Proxibid
Dealer used inventories: Many of the above dealers maintain used equipment fleets
Buying Considerations in California
CARB Regulations – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) Zero-Emission Forklift Regulation is phasing out internal combustion forklifts. Key deadlines:
January 1, 2026: No new Class IV LSI forklifts unless zero-emission
January 1, 2029: Restrictions expand to Class V LSI forklifts up to 12,000 lbs
When purchasing in California, always verify CARB compliance for internal combustion models. Electric and lithium-ion forklifts are increasingly the standard for new purchases.
Summary
California's forklift market is served by a comprehensive network of authorized dealers. Toyota dealers include Southwest ToyotaLift, Madland Toyota-Lift, and Toyota Material Handling Solutions. Caterpillar dealers include Holt of California and Alta Lift (Quinn Group) . Clark and Mitsubishi are available through Cal-Lift, Inc. and Holt of California. Hyster and Yale are represented by Southern California Material Handling and Briggs Equipment. Crown is available through Alta Lift and direct sales. Komatsu is available through Lyle Machinery. The market is heavily influenced by CARB emissions regulations, accelerating the shift to electric and lithium-ion models. Dealers offer comprehensive sales, rental, service, parts, and training programs across the state.