29 Apr TRATON GROUP release first quarter of 2026 results
(Oilandgaspress) -–TRATON GROUP got off to a slow start to 2026, yet anticipates improved business performance in the coming quarters due to an increase in incoming orders and confirms its full-year forecast. While unit sales dropped by 6% to 68,600 vehicles (3M 2025: 73,000 vehicles) in the first quarter of 2026, as reported, the decline in sales revenue was more moderate, decreasing by 4% to €10.2 billion (3M 2025: €10.6 billion). With a share of 22% (3M 2025: 21%) of total sales revenue, the Vehicle Services business contributed positively to business performance. Incoming orders rose significantly by 18% to 87,800 vehicles (3M 2025: 74,300 vehicles) in the first quarter. As a result, the book-to-bill ratio increased to 1.3 (1.0).
At €582 million (3M 2025: €646 million), adjusted operating result was below the prior-year period, as expected. This was also due to high tariff costs in the USA that were not imposed in the prior-year quarter. Lower fixed costs helped offset this, but the adjusted operating return on sales decreased by 0.4 percentage points to 5.7% (3M 2025: 6.1%). In addition, the TRATON GROUP’s operating result was impacted by charges of €521 million for certain items, which were adjusted.
Christian Levin, CEO of the TRATON GROUP: “Against the backdrop of a continued unfavorable economic and political situation, we performed well in the first quarter of 2026. Incoming orders are still increasing, which makes me optimistic for the coming quarters. Demand for heavy-duty trucks (Class 8) improved significantly on the US market in the first quarter, with incoming orders at International a good 80% above the prior-year quarter. The demand for battery electric vehicles is also gaining pace: In the first quarter, we grew unit sales here by 38% and incoming orders by as much as 45%.”
Performance of the TRATON GROUP brands
Scania Vehicles & Services managed to keep adjusted operating return on sales stable, coming in at 11.0% (3M 2025: 11.1%) in the first quarter. The 6% decline in unit sales was the main reason for the slight decline in sales revenue, with the New Vehicles business predominantly affected. This was partly offset by the increase in the Vehicle Services business. Incoming orders were up by 10%. While the order level remained stable in Europe (EU27+3), Brazil saw significant growth thanks to a government-subsidized loan program.
MAN Truck & Bus improved adjusted operating return on sales by 2.9 percentage points to 7.2% (3M 2025: 4.3%). This was primarily due to the 8% increase in sales revenue to €3.3 billion (3M 2025: €3.1 billion) and better product and fixed costs. MAN Truck & Bus achieved nearly stable year-over-year incoming order levels, despite lower truck incoming orders in Germany.
International Motors reported an adjusted operating return on sales of –4.0% (3M 2025: 1.6%). The adjusted operating result was negatively impacted by the volume-related decline in sales revenue and high tariff costs. This was partially offset by lower fixed costs. Weak demand and declining unit sales resulted in both a sharp decrease in new vehicle sales and a noticeable drop in vehicle service revenues. Strong demand in the heavy-duty truck sector (Class 8) led to an increase of 81% in incoming orders.
At Volkswagen Truck & Bus (VWTB), adjusted operating return on sales fell to 10.2% (3M 2025: 13.0%). The decline in unit sales was also the main reason for the substantial decline in sales revenues. In addition, operating result (adjusted) was negatively impacted by currency effects. Like Scania, VWTB also benefited from Brazil’s government-subsidized loan program for the renewal of truck fleets. Compared with the weak prior-year period, incoming orders rose by 11%.
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