The Traton Group has established a new central research and development department, effective 1 July 2025. The new unit, called Group R&D, brings together the existing R&D departments of the group’s brands – Scania, MAN, Volkswagen Truck & Bus and International – which will now operate jointly under the leadership of Traton board member Niklas Klingenberg.
Unified development for greater speed
According to Traton, a large proportion of its approximately 12,000 development employees – around 9,000 people – will transfer to the new unit. Another 3,000 will remain with the individual brands and focus on brand-specific solutions.
The new structure is designed to prioritise the development of modular components that can be used across all brands, while still supporting varying performance levels.
Group-wide standards, brand-specific solutions
“The closer collaboration in research and development that is now beginning will make us faster and more efficient,” said Niklas Klingenberg, Member of the Executive Board for Research & Development and Head of the new Group R&D.
Innovations can now be developed more precisely and brought to market more quickly. Duplication of effort will be avoided, while the product portfolio will remain tailored to the customers of each brand.
Traton describes the move as the beginning of a new chapter in group-wide development. Joint work on the so-called Modular System is intended to enable more sustainable, efficient and better-connected transport solutions in the future.
Brand identity remains
While Group R&D will be responsible for cross-brand development projects, the responsibility for Brand Identity Development (BID) will remain with the individual brands. This is where distinctive features and solutions will continue to be developed to enhance the unique identity of Scania, MAN and the other group brands.
