TRATON and Hino partner for e-mobility
The European and Japanese giants are now focusing their efforts on the next generation of electric commercial vehiclesCommercial vehicle heavyweights TRATON and Hino have announced they will be collaborating on e-mobility in the commercial sphere.
It's the latest step in a strategic partnership that began between the two commercial vehicle giants in 2018, and will see teams of specialists focusing on the next wave of battery-electric and fuel-cell trucks in both Sweden and Japan.
"TRATON and Hino will team up to shorten lead times for future e-mobility products with battery and fuel cell technology," states a joint media release.
"The two companies are convinced that both technologies will be needed in the future," it continues.
Big hitters
TRATON SE is a subsidiary of Volkswagen, and comprises the Volkswagen, Scania and MAN commercial vehicle brands. Meanwhile Hino Motors is a subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation.
The announcement comes amid a flurry of activity from other companies and conglomerates in e-mobility, including Daimler, Hyundai, Volvo Group, PACCAR, and Tesla.
The partnership between TRATON and Hino isn't exactly unique either – Volvo Group and Daimler have paired up to advance their hydrogen fuel-cell research and development, despite otherwise being arch rivals, as has IVECO with another relative newcomer, Nikola.
Related reading:
Daimler and Volvo fuel-cell partnership gains pace
Kenworth launches first Class 8 battery-electric truck
IVECO and Nikola preview first electric truck that will be on sale by 2021
Massive investment
According to Matthias Gründler, CEO at TRATON, the European firm will invest over $A1.6 billion in electrification by 2025.
"TRATON's mission is to carefully balance the interests of People, Planet and Performance," he said.
"This new joint venture with our strong partner Hino is the next important step in electrification, pushing our mission further ahead."
The President and CEO of Hino Motors, Yoshio Shimo, said the two firms' efforts would accelerate the development of electrification in the commercial vehicle sector.
"I am delighted that we can follow our procurement joint venture and further embodying our synergy with TRATON in e-mobility, helping to reduce global CO2 emissions and fight global warming," he said.
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