Production Start of AXION 9 CMATIC and ARION 6.190 CMATIC: CLAAS Invests in the Future at Le Mans

Since 2003, CLAAS has invested more than €80 million in expanding and modernizing its tractor plant in Le Mans. Construction is currently underway for a new multifunctional production facility, where components for new tractors will be manufactured. Meanwhile, production of the AXION 9 CMATIC, which was unveiled at Agritechnica, commenced in February 2026.

Since the acquisition of the tractor plant in Le Mans, France, in 2003, more than 200,000 CLAAS tractors have rolled off the production line there. The performance, weight, and variety of tractors produced have increased significantly during this period. At the same time, digitalization and artificial intelligence have opened up new possibilities in production planning. Continuous technological advancements in tractor development and manufacturing necessitate ongoing adaptation and modernization in areas such as plant infrastructure to efficiently and sustainably produce tractors for the global market, meeting the highest quality standards. "The tractor segment has the greatest growth potential for CLAAS and our sales partners," emphasizes Dr. Martin von Hoyningen-Huene, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Executive Vice President BU Tractors & Implements. "Therefore, the Le Mans site, as the heart of our global tractor division, will play a more strategically important role within the CLAAS Group than ever before."

To date, CLAAS has invested more than €80 million in the Le Mans site and the test and validation centre in nearby Trangé. Milestones included the installation of a new cab pre-assembly line and a new paint scheme from 2008 to 2010, and the complete modernization of the assembly line, including digital transformation, from 2019 to 2021 – which saw the introduction of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to the plant for the first time. State-of-the-art, bright, and ergonomic workstations with numerous lifting devices and cobots now ensure optimal working conditions for employees in the production areas.

In 2022, a new Central Academy for product training was inaugurated and in the following year, a new Technoparc visitors centre was built. Most recently, in July 2025, ground was broken for a new 3,800 m² multifunctional production facility.

In January 2026, series production of new tractors, such as the AXION 9 CMATIC and the ARION 6.190 CMATIC, will begin.

Growth through Innovation: Production of New Tractor Generations since January
Thanks to continuous and forward-looking strategic investments, the Le Mans plant is now one of the most modern tractor production facilities in the world and was thus ideally prepared for the launch of the new AXION CMATIC and ARION CMATIC generations. The all-new AXION 9 CMATIC large tractors - including the Tractor of the Year 2026 in the HighPower category, the AXION 9.450 TERRA TRAC, - already successfully completed their production start and are currently being delivered to customers and sales partners. The new ARION 6.190 CMATIC, also presented at Agritechnica last year, will follow three months later in May.

In parallel with the production launch of the new AXION 9 CMATIC, more than 1,300 customers from 20 countries were able to experience the new tractors and the state-of-the-art production facilities firsthand at an exclusive series of events at the Le Mans site between January and March 2026. “The overwhelmingly positive feedback shows that we are on the right track with our tractors, our networked digital solutions, and our strong focus on customers and operators,” Dr. Martin von Hoyningen-Huene summarizes. “Many requests and suggestions from farmers and contractors worldwide were taken into account and implemented in the development of the new AXION 9 and ARION 6.190 CMATIC tractors – just as we will do with other new products coming in the near and more distant future.”

Major milestones of the CLAAS tractor factory Le Mans at a glance:

• February 23, 2003: CLAAS signs the contract for a majority stake in Renault Agriculture.
• October 1, 2003: Rollout of the first seed-green CLAAS standard tractors from Le Mans.
• November 1, 2003: Complete conversion of tractors to the CLAAS color scheme.
• 2006: Introduction of the completely redesigned AXION 800 series with HEXASHIFT powershift transmission and CEBIS terminal.
• 2007: New ARION 500 and 600 series rejuvenate the tractor range from Le Mans. The AXION 800 is now available with a CMATIC continuously variable transmission (CVT) as an alternative to the HEXASHIFT powershift transmission.
• 2008: Installation of a new cab pre-assembly line.
• 2010: Introduction of a new, modern color scheme.
• February 2011: First presentation of the new AXION 900 series of large tractors with CMOTION multifunction lever at SIMA in Paris.
• 2012: Introduction of the newly developed ARION 500 and ARION 600 series and commissioning of the new test and validation center in Trangé.
• 2013: The AXION 950, the world's most powerful standard tractor, sets a new pulling power record for standard tractors with 242 kW in front of the brake wagon.
• November 2013: Premiere of the ARION 500/600 CMATIC with EQ200 continuously variable transmission from CLAAS Industrietechnik at Agritechnica. The AXION 850 wins the prestigious Tractor of the Year Award and is also awarded Machine of the Year.
• 2014: Introduction of the new ARION 400 series with the groundbreaking PANORAMIC cab.
• November 2017: Agritechnica silver medals for the innovations “AXION 900 TERRA TRAC” and CEMOS for tractors, the first self-learning, dialogue-based driver assistance and process optimization system.
• Spring 2019: Production of the 150,000th CLAAS tractor from Le Mans.
• From 2019: Modernization of the plant with a focus on the main assembly line, logistics, and production management as part of the CLAAS FORTH investment program. The official inauguration of the "Factory of the Future" took place in May 2021.
• 2021: The AXION 960 CMATIC with CEMOS was awarded Sustainable Tractor of the Year 2022.
• September 2022: Inauguration of the new CENTRAL ACADEMY in Le Mans.
• 2023: Construction of the "Le Hub" innovation centre at the Le Mans site.
• 2024: Milestone of the 200,000th CLAAS tractor built in Le Mans. Further automation of line feeding through additional automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
• July 2025: Groundbreaking ceremony for a new multifunctional production facility.
• November 2025: The new AXION 9.450 TERRA TRAC is awarded Tractor of the Year 2026 in the HighPower category at Agritechnica. In addition, the groundbreaking Adaptive Powertrain Management system of the new AXION 9 CMATIC receives an Agritechnica Silver Award.
• January 2026: Production begins on the all-new AXION 9 CMATIC large tractors.
• May 2026: Start of the production for the new ARION 6.190 CMATIC.