Traton's nine-month operating profit rises 13% on volume, pricing and product mix

Oct 28 (Reuters) - Volkswagen's truck unit Traton on Wednesday reported a 13% rise in nine-month 2026 earnings, driven by favorable volume, pricing and product mix effects, while strong incoming orders signaled a clear recovery in demand across key markets heading into the fourth quarter.

The truck maker said its adjusted operating profit rose 13% to €2.3 billion ($2.56 billion) in January-September, compared with €2.04 billion in the same period last year.

 "In North America in particular, we expect the market to gain further momentum towards year-end," Traton Chief Financial Officer Michael Jackstein said in a statement, reaffirming the group's full-year outlook.

Incoming truck orders jumped 105% in North America in the first nine months of 2026 as demand for heavy-duty trucks rebounded strongly, the company said.

European truck makers have benefited from a rebound in North American orders after several years of subdued demand, as pent-up demand amid improving market sentiment fueled strong US order growth in the first nine months of 2026.

The adjusted operating return on sales in Traton's US division International Motors increased slightly to 1.7% in the period from 1.6% a year ago.

($1 = 0.8981 euros)

(Reporting by Anastasiia Kozlova, editing by Izabela Niemiec)