MAN and Scania co-operation begins

Volkswagen-owned truck giants MAN and Scania have begun collaborating on heavy vehicle gearbox technology

Two of Europe's major forces in heavy vehicles are forming a technical collaboration, with German brand MAN and Swedish giant Scania announcing they have begun working together on gearbox technology.

The tie-up is the first example of parent company Volkswagen Group realising synergies between the two companies. Volkswagen has owned a majority share of MAN SE, owner of MAN Truck & Bus, since mid-2011, and after several attempts successfully assumed total control of Scania AB in May 2014.

A statement from MAN says the co-operation will see Scania's gearbox hardware transitioned to MAN's TGS and TGX lines from 2016, while MAN will further develop the gearbox's software.

Testing of the first prototype is already underway.

While the finer details of the partnership are still being determined, MAN says it will retain current supplier ZF Friedrichshafen, which provides gearboxes for MAN Truck & Bus products.

Anders Nielsen, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus AG, says the tie-up will further the two brands' technical prowess without impacting on their individual identities.

"It means that Scania and MAN will be using a collectively developed, innovative gearbox concept in their vehicles in the future," he said.

"Our aim with this cooperation is for components which set global benchmarks for commercial vehicle technology to emerge. That's why we want to cooperate on development projects with Scania in future too, provided that these do not impact upon their respective brands."

Volkswagen has said it hopes to unlock profit synergies of Euro 650 million ($A943 million) a year through streamlining its activities in the trucking sphere, although believes it may take up to a decade to achieve that result.

MAN and Scania co-operation begins

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