The CEOs of commercial vehicle brands MAN and Scania have sent an impressive signal of the strong technological partnership within the Traton Group (formerly Volkswagen Truck and Bus). At the kick-off of the 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, Joachim Drees (MAN) and Henrik Henriksson (Scania) arrived at the trade fair grounds in a ‘dual-brand platoon‘ and turned this convoy over to Traton CEO Andreas Renschler.

Platooning is a type of electronic drawbar that connects several vehicles following one another at close intervals with the help of an IT-based control system. This technique reduces both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while at the same time considerably improving safety. Furthermore, platooning is generally regarded as an entry into the field of autonomous driving.

Together with customers, Traton‘s MAN and Scania brands are already undertaking real platooning tests on public roads within various research initiatives and pilot projects. The truck convoy presented at the IAA – a ‘dual-brand platoon‘, in other words a connection between vehicles of different brands – is regarded as a milestone on the road to a new dimension in transportation. In the long term, this could enable vehicles from a wide range of manufacturers and logistics companies to be coupled together so as to achieve synergy effects for all parties involved.

The MAN and Scania brands work together under the Traton Group umbrella, focusing on different market segments.