Expanded TRATON–PlusAI Collaboration Targets Scaled Autonomous Truck Operations Across Key Markets

Expanded TRATON–PlusAI Collaboration Targets Scaled Autonomous Truck Operations Across Key Markets

(IN BRIEF) TRATON GROUP has expanded its strategic partnership with PlusAI to accelerate the commercial rollout of factory-built autonomous trucks in the U.S. and Europe. The collaboration includes up to USD 25 million in dedicated R&D funding to support deeper integration of PlusAI’s SuperDrive™ technology across TRATON brands, alongside plans for board-level alignment following PlusAI’s public listing. Building on milestones achieved since 2024—such as autonomous fleet trials in Texas, driverless safety validation, and Level 4 development powered by NVIDIA—the partnership aims to move autonomous trucking from pilot programs to scaled deployment. The companies will continue joint efforts in manufacturing readiness, customer expansion, and route planning to support commercial operations across major freight corridors.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 26-Jan-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — TRATON GROUP has strengthened its commitment to advancing autonomous trucking by expanding its global partnership with PlusAI, aiming to accelerate the large-scale commercial deployment of factory-built, SuperDrive™-enabled autonomous trucks across the United States and Europe. The move reinforces autonomy as a core pillar of TRATON’s long-term technology strategy and reflects growing confidence in the maturity of on-highway autonomous driving solutions.

As part of the expanded collaboration, TRATON plans to commit up to USD 25 million in dedicated, non-dilutive research and development funding to support deeper factory integration of PlusAI’s SuperDrive™ virtual driver system across TRATON’s truck brands. The funding is intended to advance Level 4 autonomous capabilities, strengthen safety validation, and support commercialization programs in both North America and Europe. The agreement also allows for potential additional funding as technical and commercial milestones are achieved.

In parallel with PlusAI’s planned public listing, TRATON will nominate a representative to join PlusAI’s initial Board of Directors, subject to standard approvals. This step is designed to further align the two companies as they prepare for commercial launch in the U.S., while preserving PlusAI’s independent governance structure. TRATON will also be eligible to receive private warrants tied to revenue milestones generated from commercial deployments of TRATON-branded trucks equipped with SuperDrive™ technology.

The expanded partnership builds on collaboration first announced in 2024, when PlusAI was selected as the on-highway autonomous driving platform for TRATON’s brands, including Scania, MAN, and International. Since then, the partners have achieved a series of technical and operational milestones, moving autonomy from controlled testing environments to real-world operations. These include autonomous fleet trials in Texas with a major North American logistics operator, validation of driverless safety maneuvers, and continued development of a unified NVIDIA-powered Level 4 software stack operating in both Europe and the U.S.

Additional demonstrations during 2025 highlighted the system’s precision and reliability, including a high-profile performance showcase conducted in collaboration with Red Bull. Together, these achievements mark significant progress toward scaled commercial deployment and underline the readiness of factory-built autonomous trucks for broader market adoption.

Looking ahead, TRATON and PlusAI will continue to coordinate customer fleet trials, prepare manufacturing systems for volume production of SuperDrive™-enabled vehicles, and define deployment plans across priority freight corridors. In the U.S., the partners will jointly establish routes and operational design domains for commercial service, while laying the groundwork for expansion into key European markets. The collaboration reflects a shared ambition to deliver higher vehicle uptime, improved efficiency for fleet customers, and long-term competitiveness across TRATON’s commercial vehicle brands.

Contact

Sacha Klingner
Head of External Communications
T +49 170 2250016
sacha.klingner@traton.com

Claudia Fuhrmann
Media Relations
T +49 152 08636978
claudia.fuhrmann@traton.com

TRATON SE
Hanauer Straße 26 / 80992 Munich / Germany
www.traton.com

With its brands Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus, TRATON SE is the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one of the world’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. The Group’s product portfolio comprises trucks, buses, and light-duty commercial vehicles. “Transforming Transportation Together. For a sustainable world.”: this intention underlines the Company’s ambition to have a lasting and sustainable impact on the commercial vehicle business and on the Group’s commercial growth.

About PlusAI
PlusAI is an artificial intelligence company pioneering AI-based virtual driver software for factory-built autonomous trucks. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with operations in the United States and Europe, PlusAI was named by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Partners including TRATON GROUP’s Scania, MAN, and International brands, Hyundai Motor Company, Iveco Group, Bosch, and DSV are working with PlusAI to accelerate the deployment of next-generation autonomous trucks. PlusAI announced in June 2025 that it plans to go public via a merger with Churchill Capital Corp IX (Nasdaq: CCIX).

SOURCE: TRATON SE