NACE 29 – Manufacture of Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Semi-Trailers | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 29 covers the manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers – from passenger cars and commercial vehicles to bodies and trailers and motor vehicle parts and accessories. Vehicle procurement is among the highest-volume procurement categories in the public sector, as authorities, police, fire services and municipalities operate substantial fleets.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 29 cover?

NACE 29 (Manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers) classifies manufacturers of road vehicles and their components – an area of particular procurement relevance for the public sector.

Division 29 within Section C (Manufacturing) is broken down into three groups:

Contracting authorities procure both series-production vehicles (passenger cars for authorities, standard buses for local public transport) and highly specialised special-purpose vehicles (emergency response vehicles, ambulances, fire service vehicles) with bespoke bodies.

Public Tenders: Scope of NACE 29

Vehicle procurement is a recurring topic in public procurement – from municipal car fleets and buses for local public transport to emergency response vehicles for police and fire services.

Typical Contract Types

• Passenger car procurement: Official cars for public authorities, electric vehicles for municipal fleets
• Commercial vehicles: Trucks and vans for municipal works depots, road maintenance depots and forestry administrations
• Buses and coaches: Service buses and articulated buses for local public transport
• Fire service vehicles: Fire engines, turntable ladders, water tenders for municipal fire services
• Emergency vehicles: Ambulances (RTW, KTW, NEF) for emergency services under public sponsorship
• Motor vehicle parts and workshop supplies: Spare parts and accessories under framework agreements for public fleets

Thresholds and Procedure Types

Vehicle procurement, as supply contracts, is subject to EU-wide tendering above EUR 221,000. Utility contracting entities in local public transport (transport operators) have a higher threshold of EUR 443,000. Series-production vehicles are predominantly tendered under the open procedure; special-purpose vehicles with complex requirements may also be procured under the negotiated procedure.

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 29

Tenders for motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts can be found via CPV codes from the 34000000 area (Transport equipment).

Current tenders with these CPV codes can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

For Contracting Authorities and Bidders

Public Contracting Authorities

The main contracting authorities for vehicles in NACE 29 are: municipalities (passenger car fleets, fire service vehicles, works depot vehicles), federal states (police vehicles, administrative vehicles), federal authorities (vehicles for federal authorities, Bundeswehr subject to security law), emergency service providers (ambulances) and transport operators as utility contracting entities (buses, trams). Central purchasing bodies negotiate framework agreements for standard vehicles – e.g. the BMI Procurement Office for federal authorities.

Companies and Bidders

Vehicle manufacturers, dealers and body builders must typically provide the following evidence in public tendering:

• Vehicle type approval: EU type approval (Regulation (EU) 2018/858) for all vehicles offered
• Emission standards: EURO standard conformity; for local public transport tenders, requirements of the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD, 2019/1161)
• Emergency services standards: DIN EN 1789 for ambulances, DIN 14530 for fire service vehicles
• Technical capability: Reference lists of comparable supplies, network and service evidence
• Economic capability: Annual turnover, warranty and guarantee evidence

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 29 and Public Tenders

What requirements does the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD) place on public vehicle procurement?
Directive (EU) 2019/1161 obliges contracting authorities, for vehicle procurement above certain thresholds, to comply with minimum quotas for clean and zero-emission vehicles. From 2026 onwards, tightened quotas apply (e.g. 45% zero-emission vehicles for passenger cars). This particularly affects local authorities, federal authorities and transport operators.

How are fire service vehicles tendered?
Fire service vehicles are usually procured in two phases: first the chassis (base truck from a series-production manufacturer), then the body by a fire service body builder – either as a complete package or in separate lots. The applicable standards are DIN 14530 (fire engines) and DIN EN 1846 (fire service vehicles in general).

Can leasing models be used in public vehicle procurement?
Yes – vehicle leasing is permissible in the public sector and is used in particular for passenger car fleets. Leasing contracts are subject to the same procurement obligations as purchase contracts. Operating leases (without transfer of ownership) may qualify as service contracts.

Are there framework agreements for municipal vehicle procurement?
Yes – central purchasing bodies of the federal states (e.g. Procurement Office NRW, State Administration Office Bavaria) conclude framework agreements for standard vehicles from which municipalities can call off. This spares municipalities from running their own EU-wide tenders for series-production vehicles.

• NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section covering all manufacturing activities
• NACE 28 – Manufacture of machinery and equipment: General and industry-specific machinery
• NACE 30 – Manufacture of other transport equipment: Shipbuilding, rail and aircraft construction
• NACE H – Transportation and storage: Transport services and logistics

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.