Scania has built a global reputation for delivering trucks that balance performance, efficiency, and driver comfort. In Europe, Scania is often considered the most desirable truck to drive, with many operators choosing the brand for its reliability, total cost of ownership benefits, and industry-leading safety features. While the Australian market has traditionally been dominated by American-style trucks, Scania is making strong inroads, offering a premium experience that benefits both drivers and fleet operators.
A Driver’s Truck: Comfort and Safety
Scania has long been focused on designing trucks with the driver at the centre. The result is an ergonomic, well-appointed cabin that offers superior comfort, visibility, and ease of use.
“In Europe, drivers want to be in a Scania—it’s the ultimate goal for the majority,” said Manfred Streit, Managing Director of Scania Australia in an exclusive interview with Fleet News Group. “I grew up around transport companies, and ever since I was a child, I heard the same thing: Scania is the truck I want to drive.”
Scania cabins are designed to feel more like a premium passenger car than a traditional truck, featuring high-quality materials, intuitive controls, and excellent seating ergonomics. For long-haul drivers spending hours on the road, this makes a massive difference in reducing fatigue and improving overall driving experience.
“If you sit in one of our trucks, it’s like sitting in a supreme passenger car,” Streit explained. “Once you’ve been in a Scania, you don’t want to get out of it.”
Beyond comfort, Scania has led the way in truck safety. The company was the first to introduce rollover curtain airbags as standard across its fleet—a feature that remains exclusive to Scania in the Australian market. Other safety innovations, such as adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), further enhance protection for both drivers and other road users.
“We are still the only brand that has curtain airbags in heavy vehicles,” said Ben Nye, Scania Australia’s Product Manager. “Rollovers are the number one cause of truck driver fatalities, and this technology is critical.”
Fuel Efficiency and Lower Total Cost of Ownership
While driver comfort is a major selling point, Scania is also favoured by fleet operators for its cost-efficiency. The brand has a long-standing commitment to reducing fuel consumption, with each new generation of trucks offering improved aerodynamics and engine efficiency.
“With our Super engine, we improved fuel efficiency, which means lower total cost of ownership,” Streit said. “Less fuel consumption also means lower emissions. Even if it’s just an 8 to 10% improvement per truck, that adds up significantly when applied across a fleet.”
Scania’s total cost of ownership model extends beyond just fuel savings. The company designs and manufactures its own drivetrains, axles, and gearboxes, ensuring a fully integrated system that delivers maximum reliability. Additionally, Scania’s extensive maintenance contracts help operators manage servicing costs predictably.
“With a maintenance contract, you have a fixed monthly fee over the life of the truck, meaning you can plan your costs upfront,” Streit said. “It’s about taking the guesswork out of running a fleet.”
A Growing Market in Australia
Despite its dominance in Europe, Scania has had to work harder to win over Australian operators, who are traditionally more familiar with American truck brands. However, as more fleets experience the long-term value of Scania ownership, the market is shifting.
“We put so much focus on the driver when designing a vehicle, and it’s something that sets us apart,” Streit said. “Once a driver gets used to a Scania, it’s hard to go back.”
For fleet operators looking to improve driver retention, reduce fuel costs, and enhance safety, Scania continues to prove why it is the truck of choice across Europe—and increasingly, in Australia.
