MAN starts Lion’s City E electric bus production in Ankara

MAN Truck & Bus reports launch of Lion’s City E electric bus production in Ankara, expanding its e-mobility network. Explore key details and market impact.

MAN Truck & Bus is accelerating its transition to electric mobility by expanding its production footprint. The latest step is the launch of series production of the MAN Lion’s City E at its Ankara plant, making it the third facility fully prepared for electric bus manufacturing.

Until now, electric buses had already been produced in Starachowice, Poland, and Olifantsfontein, South Africa. Adding Ankara to this network reflects growing demand for zero-emission transport and highlights MAN’s strategy to strengthen its global production system. The company describes Ankara as a key element of its future e-mobility strategy.

The Turkish plant plays a central role within MAN’s structure. It is the company’s largest bus production site, where infrastructure has been modernized, processes optimized, and the workforce specifically trained for electric mobility. At the same time, the production line remains flexible, capable of assembling both electric and conventional buses depending on market needs.

At a broader level, MAN is reshaping its entire production network. Electric trucks are already being built in Munich, Krakow is preparing for additional electric models, and Nuremberg has evolved into a hub for battery production and alternative powertrain technologies. This forms a unified ecosystem in which electric buses are part of a wider transformation.

The core product of this shift is the MAN Lion’s City E. Since its market introduction, around 3,300 units have been delivered across Europe, collectively covering approximately 250 million kilometers. According to the company, this has resulted in savings of about 150,000 tons of CO₂ compared to conventional diesel buses.

Technically, the model is designed for daily urban operations. Depending on battery configuration, the range can reach up to 380 kilometers, with even higher figures recorded in test conditions. The modular battery system allows operators to tailor the vehicle to specific routes, while charging can be performed via cable or pantograph.

The market itself is evolving rapidly. Electric buses are gaining a significant share in European urban transport, and MAN has strengthened its position among leading manufacturers, with sharply increased sales volumes. Within its own portfolio, the share of electric city buses continues to grow steadily.

Looking ahead, MAN is expanding its electric lineup. In addition to city buses, the company is preparing the Lion’s Coach E for tourist transport and developing solutions for intercity and regional mobility. Production of some of these models is also planned for Ankara in the future.

In this context, the launch in Turkey is not an isolated milestone but part of a broader transformation. MAN is building a distributed electric production network designed to respond flexibly to demand while reducing the environmental impact of transport. Given current momentum, Ankara’s role in this system is expected to become increasingly significant.