Paul Nutzfahrzeuge from Vilshofen in Lower Bavaria claims to be one of the market leaders in special vehicle construction in Europe. Every year, around 1,000 commercial vehicles are adapted to customer-specific requirements for worldwide use: the portfolio lists chassis conversions, axle modifications, frame extensions, and special configurations. Now, as part of a larger order, the last 12 fire trucks, based on the Mercedes-Benz Atego for use in Dutch old towns, have been delivered. Among other things, the shortened wheelbase allows for better maneuverability in narrow alleys.
For the special construction, the company worked with Daimler Truck Nederland and the Dutch manufacturer of tailor-made fire trucks, Hilton Engineering, which won the tender for the conversion and coordinated the project. The complex special vehicle construction itself, including the integration of a 5-ton trailing axle, was implemented by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge.
The basis for each was a Mercedes-Benz distribution truck Atego 1530 F, equipped with a shortened wheelbase and an electro-hydraulically steered rear axle – specially adapted for operations in the historical city centers of the Netherlands. The twelve fire trucks delivered by the end of 2024 are the last of a total order of 41 vehicles since 2021. The rescue vehicles have now been in use for about half a year
in several regions and major cities in the country.
Shorter, narrower, more agile
Specifically, for the special configuration, the Atego's wheelbase was shortened from 4,160 to 3,260 millimeters, the frame was modified, and several attached parts were repositioned. The centerpiece of the measures, however, was an additional electro-hydraulically steered trailing steering axle with air suspension, which makes movement in the tightest spaces possible. According to the details, due to the many cellars in the historical building substance of the deployment locations, the vehicles were adapted particularly to the narrow old town alleys and low load capacity. The report states:
“Through the intelligent distribution of vehicle weight and high maneuverability, even the tightest curves can be reliably navigated.”
Such movements are also facilitated by narrowing the rear axle to 2,380 millimeters - a value achieved through re-tiring. For easier operation, an air suspension with starting aid and additional tire pressure sensors with an antenna were integrated.
“Our conversion solutions enable the use of modern turntable ladders even where other vehicles have long reached their limits – even in the middle of historical city centers with narrow alleys and sensitive, historical infrastructure,”
says Bernhard Wasner, CEO of the Paul Group. In four years, under the contract, Paul has now realized
28 narrow vehicles with a short wheelbase and 13 wide vehicles with a long wheelbase. All were equipped with a state-of-the-art turntable ladder by Magirus. In the version with five-section ladder sets instead of the usual four-section sets, the vehicles are a maximum of 9.26 meters long and designed for operations up to a height of 34 meters. The special agility with these dimensions results from the wheelbase being kept as short as possible at the same time. The regional fire departments individually decided on their respective configurations: some are equipped with a long wheelbase of 4,160 millimeters with a wide chassis, trailing axle, and turntable ladder with a 4-section ladder set. “Even in this case, the vehicle is more maneuverable than a 2-axle vehicle,” says Paul.
The 41 delivered vehicles are not the end. According to the report, five more have already been ordered and are already in production.
Paul Nutzfahrzeuge claims to be the market leader in Europe in special vehicle construction. Urban and customized commercial vehicles are developed and manufactured for both German and international operations, also in the areas of construction, energy, and mining. In the municipal sector, orders are received for waste collection, security vehicles, and gardening and landscaping. Super heavy-duty transports and
conversions for the military are also part of the extensive portfolio. According to their own information, exports to countries like China, Mexico, and the Middle East have increased in recent years. Other business segments include e-mobility with the product lines Paul Electric Power (PEP) and Paul Hydrogen Power with the hydrogen truck PH2P, which is also based on a Mercedes-Benz Atego.
The Paul Group also includes one of the largest commercial vehicle service centers in the Passau region with multi-brand services for trucks, transporters, and buses at two locations: in Passau with the Paul Service Center, which serves as an authorized sales and service partner of Mercedes-Benz for commercial vehicles and passenger cars, and since 2020 also includes a sales and full-service offering for motorhomes of the Hymer Group. The authorized service partner for MAN commercial vehicles is located at the Vilshofen site. Additionally, there is a partnership with Daimler Truck for service on hydrogen trucks.
In addition, with the Paul Academy, training and certification programs for alternative drives are offered. The company also complements its services with the Paul IT service company for digital transformation and software development for electric and hydrogen mobility. Currently, the Paul Group has around 400 employees, of which about 150 work for
