Billion Euro truck

Following successful negotiations with the British Ministry of Defence (MoD), Swindon, UK-based truck maker

has been awarded a contract for just under 5200 trucks with an option for a further 2100 more.

In October last year, MAN ERF UK was given a "Preferred Bidder" status by the Government, beating three international competitors to the 5 billion Euro punch.

The vehicles themselves will be models from the MAN HX and SX ranges, with two and three/four axles, respectively.

The chassis will be assembled at the Vienna plant of MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Österreich in Austria, but the bodies will be completely produced in the UK.  UK body manufacturers involved include Marshall SV, EKA, Fluid Transfer, Andover Trailers and Atlas Cranes.

Deliveries of the 5200 vehicles will commence in 2007 and be completed in 2013.