Finnish plant that produced Mercedes cars to be repurposed for armored vehicle production 0 9

This collaboration, noted in the release, meets Sisu Auto's needs for additional capacity and Valmet Automotive's strategic decision to expand into new sectors, including the defense sector.

Previously, Valmet Automotive agreed to produce Patria armored vehicles at its main plant in Uusikaupunki.

"The new partnership is also significant at the national level in terms of developing Finland's defense sector and ensuring its supply reliability," Valmet stated.

It is expected that the additional capacity, designed to produce up to 300 vehicles, will create more than 300 jobs.

Valmet Automotive is a Finnish automotive company specializing in contract manufacturing of vehicles for other brands (Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Saab, Opel, Fisker), as well as the production of roof and kinematic system components, and the design and manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles.

The company was founded in 1968 as Saab-Valmet and has since produced over 1.9 million vehicles at its main plant in Uusikaupunki.

In 2025, the Finnish government became a major shareholder (about 79%) of the company by acquiring the stake from China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL). The remaining shares are owned by the Finnish Pontos Group.

Sisu Auto (Oy Sisu Auto Ab) is a Finnish automotive company specializing in the development, production, and service of heavy trucks and special vehicles, including military ones.

In 2024, the company began serial production of Sisu GTP 4×4 military vehicles, which meet NATO standards and are intended for transporting personnel, supporting combat operations, and other military tasks. It received a large order from the Swedish Armed Forces for more than 260 vehicles (the largest contract in the company's history).

The company plans to significantly increase its turnover in the coming years and expand production and exports.