Traton Group reported strong third quarter results with 9% year-over-year sales revenue growth.
- North American truck order intake increased 35% year over year despite seasonal and EPA-related uncertainty factors
- International Motors generated $2.67 billion in quarterly revenue, representing 36% year-over-year growth driven by increased U.S. truck sales
- Company confirmed full-year 2026 outlook with expected 0-7% unit sales and revenue growth and 6.3-7.3% adjusted operating return on sales
Traton Group, parent of International Motors, reported strong third quarter figures, including a 9% year-over-year increase in sales revenue and 10% growth in unit sales.
"Our business momentum accelerated significantly in the third quarter of 2026. At the same time, we continue to broaden our offering of vehicles and beyond," says Christian Levin, CEO of Traton Group. He includes International's launch of Fleetrite.com as part of that broadening. "These initiatives create additional value for our customers and strengthen our profitable service business."
Traton in North America
Truck order intake in the region was up 35% year over year in the third quarter, Traton says, despite a 48% drop quarter over quarter that the company blames on EPA-related uncertainty and season effects.
[RELATED: Traton bumps up Q3 unit sales by 10% on strong U.S. market]
"We expect the positive business momentum to continue in the fourth quarter," says Dr. Michael Jackstein, CFO and CHRO at Traton. "Strong incoming orders from previous quarters are now converting into unit sales. In North America in particular, we expect the market to gain further momentum towards year-end."
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International, Traton's principal brand in North America, saw $2.67 billion in revenue in the quarter, up 36% year over year. The uptick stems from increased truck sales in the U.S. and would've been stronger but for U.S. tariff costs and production ramp-up costs, the company says.
More granularly, incoming orders for International trucks were down 45% quarter over quarter but still up 43% year over year. Buses orders were up 13% to 2,982 units quarter over quarter and 56% year over year. The U.S. and Canada drove unit orders with 10,679 in the third quarter, a decrease of 47% quarter over quarter but up 42% year over year.
The North American bus market was up 9% with incoming orders totaling 3,136 units, a 55% increase year over year.
Unit sales for International totaled 19,936 units in the quarter, a quarter-over-quarter increase of 23% and a year-over-year increase of 48%. In North America, the company sold 16,428 trucks, a quarter-over-quarter increase of 24% (65% year over year). Unit sales for buses in North America were up 11% to 3,661 units (down 10% year-over-year).
Guidance for the remainder of the year
Jackstein says the quarter's data supports confirming the company's full-year outlook.
"For unit sales and sales revenue growth in 2026, we continue to expect a range of 0-7%. We expect an adjusted operating return on sales for the group between 6.3-7.3%, and between 7.1-8.1% for Traton Operations," he says. "In line with the usual seasonal pattern, we also expect a stronger net cash flow for Traton Operations in the fourth quarter."
The forecast, the company warns, is contingent on future geopolitical developments, especially the effects of U.S. tariff policy and the conflict in Iran.
Highlights of the quarter
One of the Traton group's biggest developments in the quarter were in the North American market. Those include the launch of Fleetrite.com, giving customers access to the entire International parts portfolio.
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"Fleetrite.com puts the entire International parts catalog in the customer's hands," says Jordan Birch, vice president of parts at International. "Find the part, see where it is, know when you'll have it — all without picking up the phone. That's what keeps trucks earning."
