Daimler Truck and Toyota have finalised an agreement to merge their Japanese vehicle susidiaries, Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors, after two years of negotiations.
The agreement is still subject to approvals from relevant boards, shareholders and authorities. If all goes to plan, the new holding company with more than 40,000 employees will begin operations in April 2026, aligning with the start of the Japanese fiscal year.
Further details on the scope and nature of the collaboration, including the name of the new holding company, are to be announced over the coming months.
A media statement announcing the merger said by integrating Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors, the companies aim to improve business efficiency in areas such as development, procurement and production.
“With this, they expect to significantly enhance the competitiveness of Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturers and strengthen the foundation of the automotive industry in Japan and Asia.”
Daimler Truck Australia Pacific President and CEO, Daniel Whitehead, has welcomed the news of the agreement being finalised.
“Fuso has an incredible Australian line-up of advanced diesel and electric trucks, as well as the popular Rosa bus, that are safe, efficient and economical,” Whitehead said.
“The new structure will ensure Fuso is able to continue to offer such fantastic products to local customers well into the future.
“Fuso has been getting the job done for Australians since 1971 and this new development means it will continue to do so for many years to come. We are excited to see what Fuso can achieve with this new structure and congratulate Karl Deppen on his appointment as CEO of the new holding company.”
Satoshi Ogiso, CEO, Hino, said the collaboration is a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.
“In addition to the business synergies, the synergistic effects arising from the meeting and blending of different cultures and environments are immeasurable,” he said.
“I am confident that we will become a strong and resilient team that empathises with each other and contributes to society under the same shared aspirations. As a new commercial vehicle company rooted in Japan, we will work together to create an ever better future.”
In the latest truck sales numbers released by the Truck Industry Council, Hino and Fuso are the second and third most popular brands in Australia in 2025, with 1649 and 1371 year-to-date (YTD) deliveries, respectively.
That gave Hino a 9.3 per cent YTD market share with Fuso on 7.7 per cent.
Perennial leading seller Isuzu has 5028 YTD sales, which equates to a 28.4 per cent market share.
Article with thanks to Big Rigs