The TRATON GROUP has maintained its growth trajectory in 2024, demonstrating resilience in a challenging market environment. The company reported a 1% increase in sales revenue, reaching €47.5 billion (2023: €46.9 billion), despite slightly lower unit sales. This growth was driven by a favourable market and product mix, as well as improved unit price realisation in its industrial business segment, TRATON Operations.
The TRATON Financial Services segment also contributed significantly, increasing its sales revenue by 22% to €1.9 billion (2023: €1.6 billion).
Financial performance and profitability
The TRATON GROUP’s adjusted operating result improved by €350 million to €4.4 billion (2023: €4.0 billion). The adjusted operating return on sales rose to 9.2%, surpassing both the previous year’s 8.6% and the forecast range of 8.0% to 9.0%. This increase was attributed to effective price management and cost discipline.
Christian Levin, CEO of the TRATON GROUP, reflected on the year’s progress: “In 2024, we at the TRATON GROUP made great strides on our way toward becoming a stronger, more efficient Group.
“Progressing with the introduction of our TRATON Modular System was pivotal in this regard. At the same time, we are systematically driving the merger of significant sections of our brands’ research and development departments into a cross-brand organization. This will lead to considerably more effective collaboration and agility. In doing so, we continue to strongly drive our most important ambition and purpose: “Transforming Transportation Together. For a sustainable world”.
Levin highlighted the strong momentum in the electric vehicle segment. Although unit sales of battery electric vehicles declined year-on-year, incoming orders surged by nearly 60% to just under 4,000 electric vehicles. He underscored TRATON’s belief in sustainable transportation and called for continued policy support to enhance green electricity availability, grid capacity, and charging infrastructure.
Electromobility and sustainability advances
TRATON achieved several key milestones in sustainable transportation during 2024:
- Scania established Erinion to enhance depot and destination charging solutions, aiming to develop 40,000 charging points at customer depots.
- MAN’s battery electric heavy-duty eTruck garnered approximately 2,800 orders and order requests.
- International expanded its electric offerings to include school buses and the eMV medium-duty truck, accompanied by advisory services for electric transition.
- Volkswagen Truck & Bus (VWTB) commenced production of its e-Volksbus models in the latter half of 2024.
Dr. Michael Jackstein, CFO and CHRO of the TRATON GROUP, expressed confidence in the company’s financial stability: “We managed to lift the TRATON GROUP’s sales revenue to €47.5 billion in 2024, despite slightly lower unit sales.
“With our adjusted operating return on sales of 9.2%, we were even able to exceed our forecast and strategic margin target of 9%. Our net cash flow in the TRATON Operations business area was €2.8 billion. As a result, we reduced once again the net financial debt of the TRATON Operations business area, including Corporate Items, by €874 million to €4.9 billion.”
Jackstein also acknowledged the potential economic slowdown in 2025 but emphasised TRATON’s diversified business model and strengthened Group-wide collaboration as key factors in navigating future challenges.
There was growth across the TRATON brands in 2024:
- Scania: Sales revenue rose to €18.9 billion (+5.6%), with an adjusted operating return on sales of 14.1%. Unit sales increased by 6% to 102,100 vehicles.
- MAN Truck & Bus: Maintained an adjusted operating return on sales of 7.2% amid a cautious European market. Sales revenue declined by 7% to €13.7 billion, with unit sales dropping 17% to 96,000 vehicles.
- International (formerly Navistar): Revenue increased slightly to €11.1 billion, with an adjusted operating return on sales up to 7.1%. Unit sales grew by 2% to 90,600 vehicles.
- Volkswagen Truck & Bus (VWTB): Strong growth, with sales revenue increasing by 18% to €2.9 billion. Adjusted operating return on sales rose to 12.0%, while unit sales surged nearly 25% to 45,800 vehicles.
2025 outlook
Looking ahead, TRATON anticipates a slight weakening of global economic momentum in 2025. Demand for trucks in core markets is expected to fluctuate within a –5% to +5% range, with overall sales revenue following a similar trend. The Group forecasts an adjusted operating return on sales of 7.5% to 8.5% and net cash flow between €2.2 billion and €2.7 billion.
TRATON’s Executive and Supervisory Boards will propose a total dividend payout of €850 million, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to delivering shareholder value while continuing to lead in sustainable transportation solutions.
