Truck Maker MAN Now Finally, Officially A Volkswagen Submissive. GM Won't Like It

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

MAN is now officially part of the Volkswagen empire. MAN stockholders approved a profit and loss transfer agreement that “ends MAN’s autonomy,” as Automobilwoche [sub] reports.

A bit kinkily, that agreement is called a “domination” agreement in Germany. It defines a corporate power exchange.


Getting the necessary votes was easy. Volkswagen owns more than 75 percent of MAN. In the end, 98 percent of the shares voted “Ja.” Apart from trucks, MAN builds big diesel engines for ships and power plants. The company may not look like much to the untrained eye, but “after Volkswagen passenger cars and Audi, MAN is the third largest brand at Volkswagen, “ says Automobilwoche.

Until now, Volkswagen did not count the approximately 150,000 MAN/Scania trucks sold worldwide as theirs. This is most likely to change, and could bring Volkswagen a step closer to a fulfillment of its world’s largest automaker dream. The race is tight this year, and could become a bit tighter. 150,000 units more could bring Volkswagen perilously close to GM.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Nzecowitz Nzecowitz on Jun 07, 2013

    Damiler still makes more trucks though I think

  • SixDucks SixDucks on Jun 08, 2013

    John Rosevear has it right. Besides, GM doesn't compete in the heavy truck and large industrial diesel markets anymore (and at one time, boy did they), so the point is moot anyway. Agreed that the world heavy truck market is heading for some major consolidations. At one time, VW was trying to force a merger between MAN and Scania. Does VW still own a share of Scania?

    • See 3 previous
    • RobertRyan RobertRyan on Jun 08, 2013

      @SixDucks MAN makes these Railway Engines as well as General Industrial engines. http://www.man.eu/en/press-and-media/specials/overview/Efficient-railway-engines-15755.html

  • AJ AJ on Jun 08, 2013

    I just like the picture. ;)

  • Inside Looking Out Inside Looking Out on Jun 08, 2013

    I like it too, more than story itself. Looks like Oval Office circa 1990s, good old times.

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