In the U.S. market, Volkswagen is known mainly for its passenger cars like the Passat, Golf, and Jetta. However, globally, the Volkswagen AG (VWAG) empire stretches far and wide and encompasses almost all market segments. To give its heavy trucks division a greater level of operational autonomy and integration, the company is creating Truck & Bus GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Volkswagen that will be mainly comprised of the MAN and Scania truck brands. The new group will be overseen by Andreas Renschler, who also holds a seat on the board of VWAG.
Renschler will also oversee Volkswagen’s commercial vehicles division, which consists primarily of compact-to-midsize cargo and passenger vans, as well as the Amarok pickup sold in some markets. The light commercial division will retain closer ties with Volkswagen’s passenger car group, with more commonality in components and development than with the larger trucks.
VWAG has long sought to more closely integrate MAN and Sweden’s Scania, which it acquired in 2008. With the new subsidiary, Volkswagen hopes to streamline human resources, engineering, development, and purchasing among the brands. Bernd Osterloh, chairman of the Volkswagen Group Works Council, will also join the board of the newly formed division.
Although a major player in Europe and other global markets, Volkswagen has minimal exposure in the North American heavy commercial market. Rival Daimler Trucks has a much larger presence with the Freightliner and Western Star brands.