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• MAN Truck & Bus, Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles GmbH and the WB Group are forming a strategic partnership for European Armed Forces;
• Aim of the partnership is to combine the complementary strengths and expertise of the three companies to address European defense requirements more effectively;
• One of the first visible signs of this partnership is the reactivation of the traditional Polish STAR brand by MAN for the Polish market;
• MAN will distribute non-combat military logistics and support vehicles in Poland under the STAR brand for organizations such as the armed forces, the Red Cross, emergency services or fire brigades.
The cooperation was unveiled at the MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition in Poland. The partnership is intended to combine the companies’ complementary technological, industrial and operational expertise in order to address the evolving requirements of European armed forces more effectively.
Under the ‘European Defence Initiative’, MAN Truck & Bus, RMMV and WB Group intend to explore opportunities for the joint development, integration and production of defence solutions. By combining proven vehicle platforms with cutting-edge technologies and mission systems, the partners aim to create a competitive and scalable offering for customers across Europe. A particular focus of the cooperation will be the development of scalable, interoperable military mobility solutions tailored to the operational requirements of European armed forces.
These solutions are expected to draw on the proven transport and mobility platforms of MAN Truck & Bus and RMMV, complemented by WB Group’s advanced command, communications, reconnaissance, and unmanned systems. The partnership will also enable the three companies to jointly assess new business and technology opportunities, leveraging their respective experience, engineering expertise, industrial know-how and established market positions. Through the cooperation, MAN Truck & Bus, RMMV and WB Group aim to strengthen their combined industrial offering and contribute to the development of resilient and sovereign European defence capabilities.
STAR Re-activation
MAN Truck & Bus also used the MSPO to announce the reactivation of the STAR brand in Poland for military logistics and support vehicles. To spur further business in the military sector in Poland, MAN also opens up together with its Joint Venture (JV) Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) for extended partnerships with bodybuilders or other companies under the umbrella of the STAR brand. MAN has bundled its military activities in its Joint Venture together with Rheinmetall. MAN showcased at the fair a vehicle based on a MAN TGS 6x6 for military logistic purposes labeled with the brand STAR. In the future, non-combat military vehicles based on MAN truck platforms used by organizations such as armed forces, the Red Cross, emergency services and fire brigades will be offered under the STAR brand in Poland, combining a proud national heritage with modern vehicle technology, MAN's engineering expertise and a strong local footprint.
“The growing demand for logistics capabilities and the shifting geopolitical realities require strong industrial partnerships and reliable solutions. With our ‘Made in Poland’ approach and our revived STAR brand, we are combining local production, a strong service network and close cooperation with Polish partners to develop mission-oriented transport solutions,” says Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus.
Polish tradition meets modern MAN technology
STAR is one of Poland's most traditional commercial vehicle brands and has shaped the country's civil and military logistics for decades. Founded in 1948, STAR became one of Poland’s most recognised commercial vehicle brands and contributed to both civilian and military transport for decades. The brand gained international recognition when a STAR truck formed the basis of the first Popemobile used by Pope John Paul II in 1979. Following MAN’s acquisition of the STAR truck business, STAR vehicles increasingly incorporated MAN technology while maintaining their strong local identity. Today, more than 10,000 STAR vehicles remain in service, and the relaunch of the brand combines this heritage with modern MAN engineering and production capabilities.
Future STAR trucks will be based on the current MAN TGM and TGS series and benefit from their modern technology, the latest assistance systems and the highest safety standards. The chassis for these vehicles are manufactured at MAN’s Kraków plant.
Long-term commitment to Poland as a business location
The relaunch of STAR is part of MAN's long-term commitment in Poland. For more than 30 years, Poland has been one of MAN’s most important markets and production hubs in Europe. Only recently, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Polish government for investments of around 1.2 billion euros in the Krakow site. The plan is to expand production capacities, prepare the next generation of MAN vehicles and further strengthen local value creation. In this way, MAN is consistently expanding its industrial presence in Poland and creating additional prospects for growth and employment. Today, MAN employs around 7,000 people in Poland.
The company operates two production sites in Kraków for trucks and Starachowice for buses plus a Modification Center in Sady. Additionally, the MAN TGE is produced in Poznán. In 2025, MAN delivered around 9,000 vehicles in Poland, supported by a network of almost 40 sales and service locations across the country. The company's truck plant in Kraków is currently being expanded into a full-scale manufacturing facility. As part of the investment, the production area will more than double from around 130,000 m² to 270,000 m². The site will be capable of producing up to 300 vehicles and cabs per day and will play a key role in manufacturing the next generation of MAN trucks, including electric vehicles.
About the partners
About RMMV
Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles (RMMV) is a joint venture between Rheinmetall AG (51%) (rheinmetall.com) and MAN Truck & Bus SE (49%), headquartered in Munich. The company is one of the leading suppliers of military and militarized wheeled logistics vehicles and develops, produces and sells vehicle solutions for armed forces worldwide. The portfolio includes the highly mobile HX trucks and military variants of the MAN TGX and TGS series. RMMV combines Rheinmetall's military systems expertise with MAN's commercial vehicle and production expertise, thus making an important contribution to the military mobility and defense capabilities of numerous NATO and partner countries.
About WB Group
WB Group (wb.com.pl) is Poland's largest private defense and technology group and a leading provider of advanced military systems for armed forces worldwide. The company develops and integrates solutions in communications, command and control systems (C4ISR), reconnaissance, drones, loitering ammunition, cybersecurity, and vehicle and system integration. With its technological expertise and strong roots in the Polish defense sector, WB Group is a key partner in the development and delivery of modern, interoperable defense solutions
About MAN Truck & Bus
MAN Truck & Bus (mantruckandbus.com) is one of Europe's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and transport solution providers, with an annual revenue of about 14,8 billion euros (2023). The company's product portfolio includes vans, trucks, buses/coaches and diesel and gas engines along with services related to passenger and cargo transport. MAN Truck & Bus is a company of TRATON GROUP and employs approx. 33,000 people worldwide.
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