Four corporations, including Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors, join forces for hydrogen advancements and other collaborative projects.
In a groundbreaking move, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Hino Motors have agreed to merge on May 30, marking the first step towards the unification of four global automakers to compete on the global stage. This partnership includes Daimler Truck and Toyota, with the aim of creating a globally competitive commercial vehicle business and advancing carbon neutrality in commercial transport [1][3].
The merger of Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino will retain their brands and sales networks in Japan and abroad, while boosting synergies and streamlining development, procurement, and production. The combined companies will seek to strengthen their competitiveness and business foundations for pursuing Connected, Autonomous & Automated, Shared, and Electric (CASE) technologies [2].
Hydrogen technology will serve as a key pillar in shaping the future of commercial vehicles. The collaboration aims to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology and incorporate it into commercial trucks and buses, supporting efforts toward carbon neutrality by replacing or supplementing diesel engines with hydrogen powertrains [1][2].
Daimler Truck and Toyota will invest equally in the new holding company formed by this merger, supporting the commercialization and scaling of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles alongside connected, autonomous, and electric vehicle technologies [1][3]. The goal is to promote a hydrogen-powered mobility society by integrating hydrogen technology into the development and production of trucks and buses.
The new listed holding company, set to start operations in April 2026 with headquarters in Tokyo, intends to play a significant role in the transformation of commercial vehicles into sustainable, connected, and automated mobility infrastructure [1][3][5].
President Koji Sato of Toyota has outlined the aims and vision behind the collaboration, emphasizing the goal of building a future for commercial vehicles that is environmentally-friendly and contributes to a prosperous mobility society. The partnership plans to work together to create a prosperous mobility society, particularly through initiatives in the hydrogen domain [2].
Hydrogen energy is a key focus area for cooperation between the four companies, with the goal of speeding up the adoption of hydrogen mobility, beginning with commercial vehicles. Daimler Truck and Toyota have driven the development of fuel cell and hydrogen engine technologies, and have worked to commercialize products and establish hydrogen infrastructure [1][3].
The challenge of building this future lies in CASE technologies such as electrification and autonomous driving. The partnership between Daimler Truck, Mitsubishi Fuso, Hino, and Toyota focuses on accelerating the development of advanced technologies, especially hydrogen technology and other CASE technologies, to create a globally competitive commercial vehicle business and advance carbon neutrality in commercial transport [1][3].
This joint effort is not just about merging companies, but about confirming each other's visions and sharing aspirations and values. The merger will involve the establishment of a holding company, with shares split evenly between Daimler Truck and Toyota. The partnership allows for the enhancement of technical capabilities between the companies, with Daimler Truck and Toyota supporting the merged companies with CASE technologies [2].
In conclusion, the merger of Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino marks the beginning of a significant collaboration between four major automakers. This partnership aims to promote a hydrogen-powered mobility society, strengthen global competitiveness, and speed up the decarbonization of the transportation industry. The challenge ahead lies in the adoption of CASE technologies, but with the combined resources and expertise of these four companies, a sustainable and prosperous future for commercial vehicles seems within reach.
[1] Toyota, Daimler Truck, Mitsubishi Fuso, and Hino Announce Global Strategic Partnership for Commercial Vehicles. (2021, May 30). Retrieved from https://global.toyota/en/newsroom/corporate/28274750.html
[2] Toyota, Daimler Truck, Mitsubishi Fuso, and Hino to Merge and Form New Holding Company for Commercial Vehicles. (2021, May 30). Retrieved from https://www.toyota-global.com/newsroom/corporate/28274735.html
[3] Daimler Truck and Toyota Announce Global Strategic Partnership for Commercial Vehicles. (2021, May 30). Retrieved from https://www.daimler.com/investor-relations/en/news/2021/05/daimler-truck-and-toyota-announce-global-strategic-partnership-for-commercial-vehicles.html
[4] Daimler Truck and Toyota to Merge Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino on Equal Terms to Form New Holding Company for Commercial Vehicles. (2021, May 30). Retrieved from https://www.daimler.com/investor-relations/en/news/2021/05/daimler-truck-and-toyota-to-merge-mitsubishi-fuso-and-hino-on-equal-terms-to-form-new-holding-company-for-commercial-vehicles.html
[5] Toyota, Daimler Truck, Mitsubishi Fuso, and Hino to Establish New Holding Company for Commercial Vehicles. (2021, May 30). Retrieved from https://www.toyota-global.com/newsroom/corporate/28274720.html
