Heavy Duty Trucking Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

VW’s IPO of Traton Truck-OEM Unit Sees Slow Start

The initial public offering of Traton SE, formerly known as Volkswagen Truck & Bus, did not go off with a bang. The Germany-based global truck builder slipped below its opening share price soon after being listed on the Frankfurt exchange.

David Cullen
David Cullen[Former] Business/Washington Contributing Editor
Read David's Posts
July 1, 2019
VW’s IPO of Traton Truck-OEM Unit Sees Slow Start

A VW Constellation operating in Mexico.

Photo: Traton SE

3 min to read


The initial public offering of Traton SE, formerly known as Volkswagen Truck & Bus, did not go off with a bang. The Germany-based global truck builder slipped below its opening price of 27 euros ($30.47) a share soon after being listed on June 28 on the Frankfurt exchange.

Ad Loading...

Although Volkswagen AG had priced the IPO at the lower end of its previous range, according to a CNBC report, shares traded around 26.47 euros shortly afterwards. However, as of July 1, Traton SE was up, trading at 26.55 euros.

Ad Loading...

CNBC reportedthat VW had said earlier in June that it aimed to raise 1.55 to 1.9 billion euros($1.8 billion-$2.2 billion) from the IPO by selling between 10% and 11.5% of the wholly owned subsidiary, which was down from earlier indications that it might list as much as a 25% stake.

Back in March, VW delayed the IPO, due to what it termed at the time a “difficult market environment,” while stating it was still aiming for an IPO “once market conditions had improved.” Then, on May 13, the company announced that it is was resuming preparations for an IPO of Traton SE.

Commenting in a press release on the IPO, Hans Dieter Pötsch, chairman of the supervisory boards of Volkswagen and Traton, said: “The successful IPO demonstrates the investors’ trust in Traton’s future.

“It confirms that Traton and Volkswagen are on the right track and that they are pursuing the right strategies,” he continued. “The IPO will provide a basis for both companies to create additional value for all their stakeholders going forward.”

Volkswagen noted that it will remain “a committed majority shareholder” of Traton SE.

Ad Loading...

The CNBC news report on the IPO stated that VWplans to invest the proceeds of the Traton IPO in overhauling its automobile production, “as it prepares to launch a range of electric vehicles and strengthens an alliance with U.S. stalwart Ford Motor Co.”

However, a Bloomberg reportposited that VW could use the IPO proceeds to expand the truck subsidiary’s 16.8% stake in Navistar, which has been billed from day one as a “strategic alliance.”

“Analysts have speculated on a buyout of Navistar after Traton’s listing, with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Christopher Ciolino calling a deal ‘a likely outcome,’” noted the Bloomberg report.

Indeed, the German car-and-truck behemoth has said repeatedly that having a robust, competitive Class 8 product in North America – which is still the largest heavy-duty commercial vehicle market in the world – is absolutely integral to that plan.

When asked by a CNBC reporter if the company had plans to buy Navistar, Traton CEO Andreas Renschler replied, “We are very happy with our partnership with Navistar, and we are now working on certain projects to realize them. In our field, it’s more components of the drivetrain that you are exchanging, and we are in a good kind of momentum with our partner Navistar. We are very proud of how they develop, and time will show what will come.”

Ad Loading...

Earlier this year, Traton reported solid growth in 2018, stating it had achieved a vehicle sales increase of 14% by delivering a record 233,000 commercial vehicles across its MAN, Scania, and Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus brands.

That sales level was the highest reached since Traton was established as a wholly owned subsidiary of VW in 2015.

Watch Traton CEO Andreas Renschler on CNBC:

More Fleet Management

ATA President Chris Spear.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMarch 17, 2026

ATA’s Spear Warns Fuel Prices, Trade Policy, and Global Conflict Could Stall Trucking Recovery

Speaking at the TMC Annual Meeting in Nashville, ATA President Chris Spear said trucking faces mounting pressure from rising fuel prices, geopolitical instability, and uncertainty around trade policy.

Read More →
Illustration of author headshot with black-and-white old-fashioned rig in the background

New Entrants, Chameleon Carriers, and Safety: Is It Too Easy to Start a Trucking Company?

More than 100,000 new trucking companies enter the industry each year, but regulators manage to audit only a fraction of them. That churn creates opportunities for inexperienced startups — and for “chameleon carriers” that shut down after safety violations and reappear under new identities. Read more from Deborah Lockridge in this commentary.

Read More →
Panel discussion
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeMarch 12, 2026

Fleet Managers Invited to Apply for Exclusive HDT Exchange Event

HDTX is an intimate event that connects heavy-duty trucking fleet managers with industry suppliers through small-group discussions, educational sessions, and structured one-on-one meetings.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
DAT iPhone Widget.
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 12, 2026

DAT Launches iPhone Widget to Help Owner-Operators Find Loads Faster

New DAT One feature shows top-paying loads directly on an iPhone’s home screen, helping carriers react faster to spot-market opportunities.

Read More →
Optimal Dynamics Scale screen shot
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 12, 2026

Optimal Dynamics Launches AI System to Help Carriers Choose Better Freight

Optimal Dynamics says its new Scale platform uses AI agents and optimization to help carriers find and secure freight that improves network balance and profitability.

Read More →
DAT March 2026 trucking conditions.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMarch 12, 2026

DAT: Flatbed Demand Climbs as Van and Reefer Rates Soften

DAT Freight & Analytics data shows tightening flatbed capacity, easing produce markets, and softening van and reefer rates.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
YouTube thumbnail with Mike Roeth of NACFE saying "NACFE's Messy Middle: Which Fuel Wins?"
Fuel Smartsby Deborah LockridgeMarch 11, 2026

Run on Less “Messy Middle” Data Shows Multiple Paths Forward for Truck Powertrains [Watch]

NACFE's Run on Less - Messy Middle project demonstrates the power of data in helping to guide the future of alternative fuels and powertrains for heavy-duty trucks.

Read More →
Illustration of crowded New York street overlaid with dollar signs
Fleet Managementby Deborah LockridgeMarch 11, 2026

Federal Court Lets NYC Congestion Pricing Continue

A federal court ruling allows New York City’s congestion pricing program to continue, leaving truck tolls in place for fleets delivering into Manhattan.

Read More →
Fontaine Modification Access365
Fleet Managementby News/Media ReleaseMarch 10, 2026

Fontaine Modification Launches Real-Time Truck Modification Tracking Portal

Fontaine Modification has introduced a new customer portal designed to give fleets real-time visibility into the truck modification process, addressing one of the most common questions fleet managers face: “Where’s my truck?”

Read More →
Ad Loading...
FTR Tucking Conditions March 2026.
Fleet Managementby Jack RobertsMarch 10, 2026

FTR: Trucking Conditions Index Climbs to Highest Level Since 2022

Strong freight rates, rising volumes and tighter capacity push trucking conditions higher, though diesel prices could temper gains in the near term, FTR cautions.

Read More →