Hino and Fuso join forces

In a historic move, Daimler Truck AG and Toyota Motor Corporation have signed definitive agreements to merge Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation with Hino Motors Ltd.

The deal will see the creation of a powerful new Japanese truck manufacturing group aimed at driving innovation and sustainability in the industry.

The integrated company, expected to launch operations under a new holding structure in April 2026, will unite over 40,000 employees and pool development, procurement, and production resources.

Both Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino will operate under the holding company on equal footing, with Daimler and Toyota each owning 25 per cent of the newly listed entity, which plans to debut on the Prime Market of the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

The move marks a significant strategic alignment for Japanese commercial vehicle makers, enhancing their competitiveness in Asia and beyond. With a shared vision to contribute to a more sustainable and efficient mobility ecosystem, the collaboration will focus on advancing key CASE (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric) technologies, including hydrogen-powered solutions.

Related: Fuso and Hino to merge

Karl Deppen, current CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso, will lead the Tokyo-headquartered company as its inaugural CEO.

"This is a great day for all our stakeholders," he said. "We are shaping the industry by bundling our strengths and combining our trusted brands and expertise to better support our customers into the future."

The merger reflects what Hino CEO Satoshi Ogiso described as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to not only deliver operational synergy but also unite diverse corporate cultures around a common purpose. Toyota CEO Koji Sato added that the deal represents "not the goal but the starting line" in building the future of commercial mobility.

Closer to home, Hino Australia CEO, Richard Emery, said the new partnership will ensure the Australian market continues receiving trucks centered on quality, technology and safety for many years to come.

“We are excited about this next stage and look forward to continuing as a mainstay of the Australian trucking industry well into the future,” he said.

The merger is pending board, shareholder, and regulatory approvals, with a new name and further details on the scope and nature of the collaboration expected to be announced over the coming months.