VW Group’s ambition of being the world’s biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer – overtaking the current number one, Mercedes-Benz – has been given new impetus with the creation of Traton.
VW has previously declared its goal of being the global champion of the industry for the next decade in terms of sales, profitability, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
The Traton brand was publicity unveiled at IAA in Hanover – the German commercial vehicle show – for the first time, with the four components comprising MAN, Scania, South American based VW Caminhões e Ônibus (Truck & Bus) and VW Trucks’ digital brand RIO, exhibited together in one hall, with the Traton branding prominent.
Although owned by parent VW Group, Traton is a separate company, with the four individual sub-brands.
Traton has been created with the aim of floating on the German Stock Market, possibly as soon as by early 2019 according to the German financial press.
The initial public offering (IPO) is said to be targeting at least €6bn.
This would give Traton a war chest to buy out other manufacturers, such as US-based truckmaker Navistar, in which it already has a part share, and expand technical development.
Significantly, Traton does not include the VW van range, with the Crafter remaining in the larger cars division.
As a result, Crafter vans are now being badged MAN, to be sold and serviced through the MAN network.
For operators, the brands will continue to be sold separately, and will compete against each in the market.
It is the next step in a process that saw VW acquire total control of MAN in 2012 and Scania in 2014.
In the future, teams of MAN and Scania engineers will jointly develop the core powertrain components. This will create common platforms for engines, transmissions, axles, and exhaust after-treatment systems, which can then be modified to suit the brand.
