Steyr Automotive has signed a contract manufacturing agreement with Chinese electric truck maker SuperPanther, marking the latter’s entry into the European market. The Austrian company will produce battery-electric trucks at its facility in Steyr, with both firms aiming to meet growing demand for zero-emission heavy-duty transport across the region.
The collaboration was initially previewed at the IAA Transportation show last year, where the two companies unveiled the eTopas 600, an electric tractor unit tailored for European logistics needs. The truck features LFP battery cells with a total capacity of 621 kilowatt-hours, enabling a driving range of up to 500 kilometres on a single charge. Its dual-motor setup offers a continuous output of 394 kW and peak power of 692 kW. Built on an 876-volt architecture, the eTopas 600 supports parallel charging via two CCS ports, each rated at 330 kW, allowing a 20–80% recharge in under 38 minutes.
In addition to the eTopas 600, the companies previously announced plans for a broader product line called the eEmerald family. This line is expected to include three truck variants with varying powertrains, ranges, and cabin layouts, though no technical updates were provided with the new announcement. The firms also signed a letter of intent with DHL at the time, signaling future logistics sector interest.
Steyr Automotive noted that the manufacturing deal would leverage its production expertise and combine it with SuperPanther’s electric propulsion technologies. “Steyr Automotive highly values its strategic partnership with SuperPanther,” said Manfred Eibeck, Deputy Chairman of Steyr’s Supervisory Board, in the original release. “We will combine Steyr’s experience in vehicle manufacturing and its modern production capabilities with SuperPanther’s cutting-edge expertise in the development of electric drive systems.”
The Austrian company added that the cooperation is part of a broader growth trend. It is hiring around 80 new workers in its plastics division and has seen increased demand for its MUT superstructures used in waste collection and street cleaning. Steyr Automotive has been shifting its business toward the assembly of electric and specialized commercial vehicles for multiple partners in Europe.
SuperPanther, headquartered in Yangzhou, China, positions itself as a NEV-focused company working across battery-electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel-cell electric truck technologies. Its European website highlights proprietary systems such as high-voltage e-axles, integrated thermal management, a 900V platform, and a chassis-based battery integration strategy. The company also plans to support its products with an ecosystem including high-speed charging and battery-swapping capabilities, though further implementation details remain limited.