Perfect shop window for the customers

After a six-year break, the time had finally come again: the "MAN Trucknology Festival" (formerly "MAN Trucknology Days") showcased a wide range of innovative transport solutions. Around 220 trucks and vans with bodies were on show at the MAN Truck Forum and on the test track in Munich during the three-day event. Around 75 industry partners demonstrated their expertise, including around 50 body manufacturers. Numerous customers from all over the world were thus able to get an idea of the current product solutions. Of course, members of the "Trucker's World by MAN" driver community were also invited. In addition, Europe's most beautiful truck was chosen.

"It was great to have the partners together again and to be able to show the broad portfolio of real customer solutions that we have developed together with them," said John-David Schnackenberg, Head of Bodybuilder Management at MAN Truck & Bus, on the sidelines of the event. "At our festival, we are able to provide exclusive advice to our customers, and interested parties experience finished solutions in action. It is an industry event where visitors are concretely interested in specific products. Those who are looking for a suitable vehicle for their municipality or company, for example, can not only see the truck including body, but also compare it with other body solutions."

E-mobility was a big topic

The company F. X. Meiller was already present at the first festival 15 years ago. Alexander Romberg from this Munich-based company was enthusiastic about the new edition: "The event has evolved and for us as a partner it offers the perfect stage to present our new Trigenius three-way tipper. We always enjoy being part of this roadshow."

Guests from all over the world thought so too - some even travelled to Munich from Australia, Korea or North Africa. In addition to the industry's product and future topics, the visitors were particularly interested in MAN's truck series with their assistance systems as well as their body and operational suitability. Also there for the first time: the new MAN eTruck with a long range, for which more than 500 order enquiries have already been received before its market launch. In general, it was clear that drivers and companies are increasingly addressing the issue of e-mobility. The MAN employees at the stand on zero emissions and charging stations were therefore sought-after discussion partners.

In addition, visitors not only learned about sustainable and intelligent transport solutions from MAN and its partners - including Continental, Fliegl Trailer, Humbaur, Kögel, Krone, Liebherr, Schmitz Cargobull and Würth. They also received detailed first-hand information about MAN Services & Solutions and the major trends in the transport industry: zero emissions, digitalisation, automation. "I was surprised by the technical options of the trucks. In my home country, Algeria, it is hard to get all this information," said Walid Aichouche from Eurl Dtr Trans. His transport company has been relying on MAN for 32 years, because when driving through the desert, the reliability of the vehicle is also a kind of life insurance. His compatriot and colleague Abdelkebir Charkaoui expressed his thanks for the great organisation of the festival.

Test driving on the test track

At the MAN Trucknology Festival 2023, however, it didn't stop at theory: moderated demonstrations and dynamic vehicle presentations turned the innovative technologies into an exciting live experience. Customer James Hanlon came from England with his wife to be part of the community: "The classic car exhibition and the tour of production at the MAN plant were absolute highlights for me."

At that time, he had not yet seen what was on offer on the test track. There, visitors were allowed to get behind the wheel themselves and test drive some models. "This is a real benefit for the drivers. At no other event can they test a heavy transporter with total weight," praised Reinhard Decker of Decker Container. The container manufacturer appreciates the event because he meets customers here and learns more about their needs. Alexander Wittmann from the waste management service provider Wittmann was also interested in direct contact with colleagues and customers. "And of course also in everything new about technology."

Stations on distribution and long-distance transport, construction, food and heavy transport as well as municipal and fire services were represented on the MAN test track across the tonnage range from 3.5 to 250 tonnes. "This is a super stage for us and a huge service for the customers," found Franz Bramer of Ressenig Fahrzeugbau. "With all the vehicles they see here, customers can form an opinion much more easily. And they can make a better decision because they have alternative solutions in direct comparison."

MAN Truck Champions 2023 crowned

Those who stayed permanently on the test track, however, missed a highlight of the festival: On the final day, the "MAN Truck Champion 2023" was chosen. Beforehand, there were 268 entries from 18 European countries who wanted to win the prize for the most beautiful MAN truck. The driver community first voted on the respective country winner via social media. From this group they chose the international truck champion in a second round of voting.

Third place went to Giovanni Incampo and Armin Hnaien from Italy, who expressed their motto "Once a lion, always a lion" with an artistic lion design on the sides of the driver's cab of their MAN TGX 18.510. Second place went to the MAN TGX 18.510 from Transporte Decker, which uses airbrush motifs to link MAN history with its own company history. Driver Frank Nörenberg will now also exhibit the TGX at the International ADAC Truck Grand Prix at the Nürburgring.