The Traton Group – which controls Man Trucks and Scania – and PlusAI announced on 26 January 2026 in Munich the extension of their global collaboration, aimed at accelerating the development and large-scale deployment of autonomous road freight transport solutions in the United States and Europe. The agreement strengthens a partnership launched in 2024 and fits into the German group’s long-term strategy for autonomous commercial vehicles.
Traton has committed to allocate up to USD 25 million (around EUR 23 million) in dedicated research and development funding to support factory integration of the SuperDrive system into trucks of the Scania, Man and International brands. The investment, described as non-dilutive, is intended to accelerate the industrialisation of autonomous solutions and prepare for an initial commercial launch in the United States. In parallel, ahead of PlusAI’s planned stock market listing, Traton will appoint its own representative to the company’s initial Board of Directors, further strengthening strategic alignment between the two companies.
International has launched autonomous vehicle trials in Texas together with one of North America’s leading logistics and transport operators, marking an important step towards broader commercial deployment. At the same time, activities have included a precision demonstration carried out with Red Bull, the development of Level 4 autonomous driving functions supported by Nvidia platforms, and the validation of driverless safety manoeuvres. These achievements have made it possible to establish a common Level 4 software stack operating both in Europe and the United States, already integrated into Traton brand truck platforms and tested in real-world conditions. Testing and validation activities have enabled the transition from the laboratory phase to industrial integration and initial operational applications, with pilot projects involving logistics sector customers.
The agreement also provides for the continuation of joint operational testing, the adaptation of Traton’s production systems for series production of trucks equipped with SuperDrive, and coordinated planning of deployments along major freight transport corridors. The two companies will jointly define routes and operational domains for commercial services in the United States, while at the same time laying the foundations for expansion into key European markets. The commitment may be further strengthened by additional funding linked to the achievement of specific development milestones and revenue targets associated with the first commercial deployments.
Traton also released its 2025 results, in a market environment described as weak and uncertain, closing the year with total sales of around 305,500 vehicles, down 9% from 334,200 vehicles in the previous year. The decline affected all business areas, but was accompanied by a sharp increase in fully electric vehicle sales, which rose by 86% year on year to 3,230 units, compared with 1,740 in 2024.
In the fourth quarter of 2025 the group delivered 81,000 vehicles, compared with 88,800 in the same period of the previous year, while in the same quarter sales of fully electric vehicles reached 1,160 units, almost doubling from 610 in the fourth quarter of 2024. On an annual basis, the share of electric vehicles remains limited in absolute terms, but the trend shows significant growth in contrast to the overall market.
Scania Vehicles & Services sold 94,100 vehicles in 2025, down 8% from 102,100 units the previous year. According to Traton, the decline was mainly driven by the Brazilian truck market, which was affected by high interest rates and sustained inflation, a context that had a particularly strong impact on Scania due to its focus on heavy-duty vehicles. In Europe, by contrast, truck sales showed only a slight decline in a weak market. Scania’s fully electric vehicle sales increased by 126% year on year, reaching 600 units.
Man Truck & Bus closed 2025 with a 6% increase in sales, reaching 101,600 vehicles compared with 96,000 in 2024. The result was supported by the brand’s positioning as a full-line supplier in the European market and by particularly strong performance in the bus and van segments. Despite weakness in the European commercial vehicle market, Man managed to slightly improve sales in this category in Europe, overall keeping volumes broadly in line with the previous year. Fully electric vehicle sales reached 1,970 units, up 168% year on year.
US-based International Motors recorded a 30% decline in sales in 2025 compared with the previous year, with 63,700 vehicles delivered versus 90,600 in 2024. The US market remained weak throughout the year, influenced by tariff-related uncertainty and a prolonged slowdown in freight transport, which kept customers cautious. In this context, truck sales fell sharply. Fully electric vehicle sales stood at 590 units, down slightly by 3% year on year.
Brazilian Volkswagen Truck & Bus closed 2025 with a modest 1% increase in total sales, at 46,200 vehicles compared with 45,800 in 2024. The slowdown in the Brazilian truck market had an increasing impact in the second half of the year, resulting in annual volumes broadly in line with the previous financial year. Fully electric vehicle sales, however, declined to 60 units, down 49% year on year.
A.I.
