MAN gains access to Poland
Page 10
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• MAN has signed a cooperation deal with Polish truck builder Jelcz, swapping technology in return for access into the Polish market.
The agreement will cover cabs, engines, city buses and complete light to medium trucks, says MAN. Although the two companies will use each other's service networks, it is unlikely that the agreement will result in many MANs being sold in Poland — or Jelcz lorries appearing in the Western market. Eastern European marques are seen as relatively primitive by Western hauliers, while most Eastern transport companies do not have the hard currency to buy vehicles from Western manufacturers.
Steyr of Austria, now owned by MAN, has worked with Jelcz for 16 years.
Jelcz has 5,800 employees and makes trucks and buses from 16 tonnes up; it has a manufacturing capacity of 6,000 lorries and 4,000 buses a year. Until now, 80% of its products have been sold in Poland. MAN claims that its new partner has 60% of the Polish market in heavy trucks and 70% in large buses.
Meanwhile, Iveco has extended its link with Yugoslav manufacturer Zastava, which builds Iveco S and Z range delivery vehicles under licence. It now owns 40% of the company.