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.

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.

Ad Loading...

“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.

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.

Ad Loading...

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.”

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

Geotab screen on AI concept background
Fleet ManagementJune 17, 2026

What Geotab's New AI Connector Means for Fleets

Fleets can now ask their usual AI assistants questions about maintenance, safety, fuel use, and vehicle performance, using their live Geotab data, and take action on the answers without leaving their preferred AI tool.

Read More →
Image of computer screen with BidBoardX interface

New C.H. Robinson Tool Opens Door to More Predictable Freight

BidBoardX lets carriers search, bid on, and secure committed freight opportunities through a single digital marketplace.

Read More →
Amazon electric cargo bike on New York City street
Fleet ManagementJune 15, 2026

New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results

Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Illustration of hourglass and trucks backed up to a dock
DriversJune 15, 2026

Why Truck Detention Keeps Costing Fleets Time and Money

A 2024 ATRI study found detention affects nearly 40% of truckload stops and costs the industry more than $15 billion annually. Despite the toll on drivers, fleets, and supply chains, the problem remains stubbornly persistent.

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

Time is Running Out to Apply for Exclusive HDT Event

Heavy Duty Trucking Exchange brings fleet managers and suppliers together for the deeper conversations that lead to ideas, partnerships, and solutions. Time is running out to apply for the September event.

Read More →
Empty trailer with worker loading a pallet of cargo
Fleet ManagementJune 10, 2026

Amazon Launches Less-Than-Truckload Freight Offering for All Businesses   

This launch is the latest addition to Amazon Supply Chain Services, a portfolio of supply chain capabilities from Amazon, including freight, distribution, fulfillment, and parcel shipping.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Stacks of intermodal containers at port with truck driving between them

Import Cargo Volume to See Year-Over-Year Gain Again in June, Then Remain Below 2025 Levels Into Fall

After July, the report predicts a weakening in import volume as consumer uncertainty remains high and the impact of increasing inflation takes its toll.

Read More →
Equity Interest Auction
SponsoredJune 8, 2026

AUCTION OF EQUITY INTEREST IN HEAVY HAUL TRUCKING COMPANY!!

Mark your calendar: June 30, 2026 (10:00 a.m. PDT). A 37.5% ownership interest in MagnaTrans, LLC, a California limited liability company doing business as Magna Transportation Group, will be sold in an in-person and online auction to the highest bidder or bidders under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. The Rancho Cucamonga-based heavy haul and over-dimensional trucking company operates across California, Oregon, and Arizona.

Read More →
Volvo OTA updates.

Volvo Trucks Adds Unattended Over-the-Air Software Update Capabilities

The latest evolution of Volvo’s over-the-air update technology allows software updates to run while trucks are parked, helping fleets keep vehicles current without disrupting operations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Podcast thumbnail illustration
Fleet ManagementJune 4, 2026

How Waste Connections is Using Data, Telematics, and AI

How do you manage and maintain more than 18,000 connected trucks? Data. Lots of it.

Read More →