A brilliant production from the MAN sledge workshop

The fact that the popular MAN Christmas truck can once again tour the country in its festive decoration this year is ultimately thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Christmas team, led by Martin Münstermann together with his MAN apprentices. With great attention to detail, they have made the Christmas lion shine again in 2022.

Christmas markets, day-care centres, clinics and social institutions – the list of places visited by the two MAN Christmas trucks on their current route is long. Which made it all the more important to get the golden lions looking as gleaming as possible before they set off with lots of gifts on board. An important task, which – as has become tradition – was carried out with a love of detail and great craftsmanship by the MAN Christmas team of apprentices led by Martin Münstermann. ‘I still really enjoy it. You can also tell that the apprentices are very much looking forward to the project. I set high standards for the team. They have to support each other and those who are in later years of their apprenticeship should train the younger ones and explain a few things to them,’ says Martin Münstermann about how the required teamwork fits together.

‘I was very happy to be asked if I would like to be involved again. It’s a really interesting conversion and I can contribute my experience from last year. That helps the whole team,’ says Julia, an apprentice who was able to help in the Christmas truck workshop for the second time. And take on new challenges, because that is another of the tasks for the Christmas team: recognising them and finding solutions. ‘We face new challenges every year,’ confirms Julia, ‘even a different engine in the truck means a change to the connections.“ The diligent helpers worked on the MAN Christmas sleigh for a total of six weeks: the impressive glitter and sparkle is provided by an LED light chain that is approximately 200 metres long, which the 15 apprentices attached to the semitrailer tractor and semitrailer with cable ties.

‘When I saw the truck at the end, I was really proud,’

says Jakob, who had the chance to join the Christmas team for the first time.

All of them surpassed themselves, chief Christmas truck constructor Münstermann confirmed, ‘the result was a really beautiful truck, and the apprentices also learned a lot.’ A special moment for everyone involved was the handover of the two glittering Christmas trucks to their drivers. They were happy to get behind the wheel of the golden lions and were delighted not only with the unusual appearance, but also with the modern technology of their MAN sleighs: equipped with MAN HydroDrive, MAN OptiView and MAN turn assist, the two MAN trucks, generously packed with chocolate Santas, headed off safely for their pre-Christmas deliveries.