At IAA 2026 in Hanover, the Steyr name has returned to the commercial vehicle industry, although under a very different model from the past. The former MAN plant, now operated by Steyr Automotive, has become a production base for international manufacturers and, in particular, for some new Chinese brands entering the European market. This was clearly visible in Hanover, where the Steyr stand featured SuperPanther and Sinotruk, two Chinese manufacturers whose vehicles are produced, at least in part, at the Austrian plant. Chinese production is therefore moving directly into the heart of Europe, supported by an industrial facility with extensive experience in commercial vehicle manufacturing.
The most advanced case is SuperPanther, which specialises in battery-electric vehicles. At the trade fair, the company presented the eTopas 600, a 4x2 tractor unit designed for zero local-emission heavy-duty transport, assembled in Europe at Steyr Automotive. The first series-production vehicle for the European market rolled off the line at the end of July. The first units have already been delivered to customers including DHL, Gress, Temmel and Lontex. The eTopas 600 is also an example of integration between Asian technology and the European supply chain. The tractor unit uses a 621 kWh CATL LFP battery, an 876 V electrical architecture and an axle with two electric motors delivering 394 kW of continuous power and 692 kW at peak. The stated range is around 600 kilometres under European operating conditions, while the maximum gross combination weight can reach 42 tonnes.
Of particular interest is the charging system: the eTopas 600 has two CCS2 connections that can operate simultaneously. Tests have achieved charging power of 646.7 kW, which, according to figures released by the manufacturer, allows the battery to be charged from 20% to 80% in less than 38 minutes when two compatible charging points are available. SuperPanther also reports, based on trials carried out with customers, average energy consumption of 0.94 kWh/km over more than 70,000 kilometres.
Production at Steyr is not limited to electric vehicles. Since 3 March 2026, Steyr Automotive has also been assembling Sinotruk diesel and electric vehicles, initially through an SKD process using pre-assembled modules shipped from China. As volumes increase, the agreement allows for a transition to CKD production, introducing additional local manufacturing processes, including cab production and painting. For Steyr Automotive, the project marks an evolution in its industrial role: the company provides facilities, production capacity, processes and assembly expertise, becoming a supplier to manufacturers seeking to bring production closer to the European market without immediately building a fully independent plant.
The model is becoming increasingly significant as several Chinese manufacturers seek to consolidate their presence in Europe. Local production reduces the industrial and logistics distance compared with simply importing finished vehicles, while potentially avoiding tariffs, and at the same time makes it possible to use European components and suppliers. In SuperPanther's case, for example, the project combines technology developed in China with components from companies including ZF, Schaeffler, Continental and Aumovio.
Massimiliano Barberis
