Austrian contract manufacturer Steyr Automotive has begun assembling trucks for Chinese commercial vehicle producer Sinotruk at its facility in Steyr.
The first vehicle was completed earlier this week under a newly signed contract between the two companies. According to Steyr Automotive, the agreement covers the assembly of both diesel-powered and fully electric trucks in several variants.
Initially, production will follow the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) method, meaning partially assembled kits imported from China will be completed at the Austrian plant. As volumes increase, the partners plan to transition to Completely Knocked Down (CKD) production, allowing vehicles to be assembled entirely from individual parts and enabling additional manufacturing steps such as cab production and painting in Austria.
The companies did not disclose details about the powertrain mix between diesel and electric models. Vehicles produced at the Steyr facility are intended for delivery to customers in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
According to local media reports, between 600 and 800 trucks could be produced this year, though the figure has not been officially confirmed by the companies.
Industry publication Eurotransport reported that the first vehicle assembled in Steyr is a 4×2 diesel tractor unit carrying the Sitrak brand and featuring a redesigned cab derived from the MAN TG2. The model may rely on technology from MAN Truck & Bus, which maintains close ties with Sinotruk and holds a stake in the Chinese truck maker.
The collaboration also reflects longstanding links between the companies, as Steyr Automotive operates a former MAN manufacturing plant and continues to supply components to the German truck manufacturer.
The new agreement expands Steyr Automotive’s contract manufacturing activities. Earlier this year, the company secured a contract to build the eTopas 600 electric truck developed by Chinese startup SuperPanther.
The company had previously planned to assemble the battery-electric Volta Zero, but the project was halted after Volta Trucks filed for bankruptcy.
Sinotruk, formally known as China National Heavy Duty Truck Group, is based in Jinan and is widely considered the largest heavy-duty truck manufacturer in China. The company sold around 245,000 vehicles in 2024, representing roughly 27% of the domestic heavy truck market.
The manufacturer has also expanded into alternative powertrains, including battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks. It has collaborated with Toyota on fuel cell commercial vehicle development and previously secured an order for more than 1,100 hydrogen-powered trucks in China.