Volkswagen Creates Truck Group to Push MAN, Scania Cooperation
Volkswagen AG created a holding company for its MAN and Scania heavy-truck units in the latest effort to kick-start cost savings and cooperation efforts after buying the former rivals.
VW鈥檚 controlling stakes in Munich-based MAN SE and Sweden鈥檚 Scania AB will be pooled into the German automaker鈥檚 Truck & Bus GmbH subsidiary, the Wolfsburg-based company said听in a statement May 5.
鈥淏ringing together our commercial vehicle brands under one roof means we can focus more strongly on the needs of the truck and bus business and can therefore accelerate the decision-making process,鈥 said Andreas Renschler, who will head the commercial vehicles unit.
Volkswagen has been struggling to create a global heavy-truck business that can compete with industry leaders Daimler AG and Volvo AB. Europe鈥檚 largest automaker has reaped limited financial rewards for the billions of euros invested in the past decade to purchase Soedertaelje-based Scania and MAN.
VW鈥檚 commercial vehicles unit, which makes delivery vans, will report to Renschler and be part of the company鈥檚 commercial vehicles group. But it听still will maintain close ties with the namesake passenger car brand, where there are more synergies, VW said.
