SuperPanther’s eTopas 600, a Chinese-designed electric truck, is now assembled in Austria by Steyr Automotive. The launch marks a turning point for European logistics, with the first units delivered to major clients across five countries.
SuperPanther has become the first Chinese truck brand to assemble a heavy-duty electric vehicle in Europe, as the eTopas 600 rolled off the production line at Steyr Automotive’s plant in Upper Austria. This milestone, achieved through a partnership with Sinotruk and Steyr, signals a new phase in the continent’s logistics sector, where proximity and rapid delivery are increasingly valued by commercial buyers.
The collaboration brings together Asian engineering and European manufacturing. While the eTopas 600’s core modules arrive pre-assembled from China, final assembly and integration—including the dual-motor drive axle, high-voltage power electronics, and thermal management system—are completed in Austria. This approach allows SuperPanther to shorten delivery times and offer technical support closer to its European customers.
Last week, the first series-produced 4×2 electric tractor unit left the Steyr factory, not as a prototype but as a finished vehicle destined for real-world use. Four launch customers received the initial batch: DHL, which previously partnered with SuperPanther for European trials; road transport operator GRESS; Austrian retailer TEMMEL, where the eTopas is already in daily service; and LONTEX, a commercial vehicle services provider active in Poland and the Czech Republic.
With these deliveries, SuperPanther’s commercial operations for the eTopas 600 officially begin in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic. The truck is designed for a gross combined weight of up to 42 tonnes, with an unladen weight of 10.8 tonnes, enabling a high payload. Its dual-motor axle delivers 394 kW of continuous power and peaks at 692 kW, supported by an 876-volt electrical system and a 621 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery from CATL. The battery is rated for up to 4,500 full cycles and a lifespan of 1.2 million kilometers or eight years.
For emerging manufacturers like SuperPanther, local production is a strategic move to build trust and integration within the European market. The ability to offer faster delivery, local service, and technical support is as important as technical specifications for professional buyers. This trend mirrors developments in the electric car sector, where brands increasingly establish European assembly to meet local expectations.
As the electric truck market evolves, the arrival of the eTopas 600 in Europe highlights a broader shift. Manufacturers are no longer content to ship finished vehicles from Asia; instead, they are investing in European facilities to compete directly with established brands. This approach is also seen in the passenger car segment, as explored in our review of how the Opel Mokka GSE is reshaping expectations for electric SUVs.
Industry observers note that the eTopas 600’s launch could accelerate the adoption of electric trucks in European logistics, especially as infrastructure for high-power charging expands. The model’s battery supports ultra-fast charging above 600 kW, allowing for rapid turnaround times—an increasingly critical factor for fleet operators. As more Chinese brands consider European assembly, the competitive landscape for commercial vehicles is set to change rapidly.
