The company has invested €220 million in the Nuremberg facility to support production, alongside an additional €30 million for crankshaft manufacturing at its Salzgitter plant. The D30 engine was jointly developed by TRATON GROUP brands and is set to replace the existing D26 and D15 engine series.
The production ramp-up will see 160 employees working in three shifts, with the facility capable of producing 50,000 engines per year. The D30 will be installed in 40-tonne MAN TGX and TGS semitrailer tractors, making it the largest standard engine in MAN’s current lineup.
Speaking on the development, Christian Levin, CEO of TRATON SE, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the new engine:
“In the TRATON GROUP, we are growing ever closer together and bundling our extensive expertise in joint developments. Today we are taking another important step in this direction.”
The D30 engine has been designed to optimise efficiency, with the company claiming a maximum efficiency of over 50%. Fuel consumption is reportedly 5% lower than the previous MAN TGX driveline generation, with CO₂ emissions reduced by the same margin, according to initial test results.
The engine is available in six power levels, ranging from 380 to 560 hp (2,100 to 2,800 Nm), positioning it among the more powerful options in the sector.
Balancing diesel and electrification
MAN has confirmed that there are no plans for a successor to the D30, reinforcing its strategy to shift towards emission-free vehicles. Battery series production is set to begin at the Nuremberg plant in spring, with the facility expected to manufacture both combustion engine and electric drivetrains for years to come.
Commenting on the transition, MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp emphasised the continued need for efficient combustion engines:
“By 2030, every second vehicle we deliver to our customers is to have an emission-free drive. However, this also means that we will still need very efficient combustion engines for a long time on the road to the transformation to electromobility.”
The investment in both diesel and electric technologies, he added, ensures job security and future-proofing for the Nuremberg plant.