Mats Harborn, Head of TRATON (Scania) China office

Scania is strengthening its presence in China through major investments in local R&D and strategic collaborations. With a growing team and development hubs in Rugao and Shanghai, the company is aligning its products to meet the specific demands of the Chinese market. In this interview, Mats Harborn, Head of the TRATON China Office, shares insights on innovation trends, EU-China cooperation, and Scania’s upcoming priorities.

How much does Scania invest in R&D and collaboration in China?

China has become a leading country in the field of automotive technology development and innovation. In response, we have established a strong R&D unit in China, comprising several hundred personnel. This unit is headquartered in Rugao, with significant development capabilities in Shanghai. This unit is headquartered in Rugao, with significant development capabilities in Shanghai. We are collaborating closely with various Chinese stakeholders to ensure that our products meet the specific needs of the Chinese market.

How do you perceive the trends in research and innovation in China?

Since China announced the Made in China 2025 policy almost a decade ago, it has been clear to the world that China since then, actively sought to climb up global value chains within the ten industries outlined in the policy. In addition, China has set very ambitions goals also for AI development. China is clearly actively replacing the old, rather low-value-creating industries such as real estate and manufacturing, with value-creating and advanced new industries. We can observe how new world-class standards and regulations are introduced and implemented to force its value chains to reach and even surpass global levels.

What is your advice to European/Chinese counterparts?

• China should be seen as a resource and a partner with whom Western companies and universities should deepen cooperation.

• Governments in Europe need to find a good balance in protecting European interests while at the same time facilitating deeper cooperation between the EU and China.

• China needs to take the concerns of the EU seriously so that obstacles for deeper cooperation can be removed.

What will be Scania China's priorities for 2025?

Scania’s priority for next year is to finish construction of the Rugao factory and to make the locally produced trucks ready for sale in China. The latter includes both homologation issues as well as ensuring that unique customer demands can be satisfied from the local production unit.

We have started up cooperation projects with Chinese universities, which will make deliveries during 2025. The results will be evaluated and how to further deepen cooperation with Chinese universities will be discussed and decided on.