At the world’s largest commercial vehicle show, the 66. At the 10th IAA in Hanover, MAN made an impressive appearance at more than 10,000 vehicles.000 square meters of floor space presented. The topics, which the manufacturer has set, attracted the interest of the visitors consistently. With the world premiere of the new MAN TGE van, MAN rounds off its product range downwards and is now positioned as a full-range supplier for all transport needs. The TG series scores with new engine performance levels, finely tuned transmissions and innovations in interior and exterior design. The newly presented NEOPLAN Tourliner completes MAN’s bus portfolio with an entry-level model in the premium coach segment. As initiator of the new digital brand RIO, MAN is responsible for the development of the brand within Volkswagen Truck& Bus. The open platform RIO bundles digital solutions of the transport ecosystem& Logistics and also includes vehicles from competitors. All information on the IAA also on the MAN microsite.
World premiere of the new MAN TGE van
Visitor interest in the new MAN TGE , which was presented as a world premiere in Hanover, was extremely lively. In future, the vehicle will be available in different body variants with a choice of two wheelbases, three vehicle lengths and heights, and with engine outputs ranging from 75 kW/102 hp to 130 kW/177 hp. The three exhibition vehicles, which with their superstructures represented the themes of construction, distribution transport and workshop vehicles, were extensively scrutinized by the public and often led to constructive and practice-oriented discussions with the stand personnel. Positive feedback was also received from long-standing customers, who can now count on the same level of service in the 3.0 to 5.5 ton range as with MAN’s heavy trucks. This is known, among other things, for its uncomplicated assistance even without a workshop appointment, its rapid availability in emergencies even at weekends and at night, and its very long opening hours. It goes without saying that the service for the complete vehicle- as shown at the trade fair also in focus, as are flexible maintenance and repair contracts. There were already several hundred documented purchase intentions for the MAN TGE at the trade fair.
Heavy trucks from MAN with more power and a new design
In the design area, MAN presented numerous innovations for the TGL, TGM, TGS and TGX series at the IAA. Visually, the MAN lion has moved more to the foreground as an emotional trademark. The new high-gloss black background makes the lion placed on the chrome bar above the radiator grille stand out even better. The interior, too, is more in keeping with the Bussing lion, with newly developed light colors and fabrics for all textile surfaces creating a new feeling of spaciousness.
MAN’s new D26 and D38 engines now offer more torque and more power with lower fuel consumption. The new version of the tried-and-tested D26 engine has gained 20 hp and 200 Nm each. It also offers a peak output of 500 hp. The 640 hp top engine, previously reserved exclusively for the heavy-duty versions, is now available for almost all variants of the MAN TGX D38. The other power ratings of the new D38 were raised by 20 hp each to 540 and 580 hp.
With a total of more than 5500 trucks marketed, MAN has far exceeded its own expectations. Added to this are numerous financing deals and rental packages concluded by MAN Financial Services and the successes of the After Sales division in terms of marketed service contracts.
The NEOPLAN Tourliner- A new member of the bus family
MAN celebrated another world premiere with the new NEOPLAN Tourliner, which offers bus operators entry into the premium coach segment. The flexible range of applications from long-distance to touring, the numerous assistance systems and the outstanding aerodynamics make the new NEOPLAN Tourliner a real all-rounder. Like all buses, it also benefits from the improved engine and transmission functions which, as part of an optimized driveline, offer more torque and more power while at the same time reducing consumption. The redesigned headlights with LED daytime running lights as "Angel Eyes" will adorn all NEOPLAN buses in future.
Sales expectations for the IAA were also exceeded in the bus sector. A total of more than 350 vehicles are on the manufacturer’s order list. For example, Reifers Reisen from Warburg secured the first NEOPLAN Tourliner. Among other things, MAN was also able to symbolically present during the IAA the 7500. MAN Lion’s Coach handed over. The NEOPLAN Skyliner also had reason to celebrate: It received the IBC Award at the trade fair. In the preceding intensive comparative test, it was able to prevail over other double-deckers above all with its chassis and passenger comfort.
Digital Solutions and electromobility
It was evident in Hanover that these two topics in particular were presented very professionally by MAN. For RIO- the new brand of Volkswagen Truck& Bus in the field of digital solutions- MAN had a special platform at the IAA 2016. RIO is an open, manufacturer-independent business& technology platform, which offers individual and uniquely intuitive digital services for the entire transport and logistics ecosystem. The links in the transport chain are both data suppliers and data users. MAN is RIO’s initiator and responsible for its development within Volkswagen Truck& Bus Group.
In the eMobility theme area, MAN Truck& Bus, in addition to the all-electric MAN Lion’s City articulated bus with various concepts for charging infrastructure, also a MAN TGS tractor unit with electric drive for operations in inner-city night deliveries.
As part of its eMobility roadmap, MAN will field test a pre-series version of a battery bus (BEV) in 2018. Series production of a 100 percent electrically powered city bus will start before 2020.
The technological know-how of the eMobility modular system from the bus sector will also be available for applications in electric trucks in the future. In addition, MAN benefits from the synergies within the Group and from the dynamics in the passenger car sector thanks to its membership of the Volkswagen Group.
Successful trade fair appearance for MAN
Joachim Drees, Chairman of the Executive Board of MAN Truck& Bus and member of the management board of Volkswagen Truck& Bus sums up: "Over the past few months, we have worked with great passion across all departments to bring a lot of new products to the IAA in Hanover. We have set off a veritable fireworks display of innovations- and excellently presented to us.“
„All in all, the show was a huge success, also in terms of the number of vehicles sold", adds Heinz-Jurgen Low, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing at the IAA 2016. „My special thanks go to the entire team, who worked with full commitment to achieve our ambitious goals.“
After the traditional horn concert on 29. September at 18.00 o’clock had faded away, a total of more than 200.000 visitors visited the MAN stand. On individual days, it was more than 30.000 people – compared to 2014 – up to 60 percent more. MAN conducted numerous informative interviews on the stand stage each day. 13.000 footballs were sold in the course of the 66. IAA Commercial Vehicles distributed to booth visitors as a reminder of their visit to the show.