The Japanese market for commercial vehicles over 2 tons gvw expanded by just 1.4% year-on-year to 118,511 units in the first quarter of 2021 from 116,830 units in the same period of last year.

The market for commercial vehicles over 2 tons gvw in East Asia’s seven main markets (excluding China) expanded by 4.2% to 366,367 units in the first quarter of 2021 after declining by almost 19% to 351,556 units in the same period of last year.

Isuzu is targeting consolidated net sales of JPY2,750bn for the financial year ending in March 2024, while consolidated operating income is forecast at JPY250bn and return on investment (ROI) of 12.5%.

UD Trucks announced in April it had entered into a multi-year digital transformation and hybrid cloud contract with Indian information technology (IT) group, HCL Technologies to further accelerate its digital transformation. 

Mitsubishi Fuso has made some important improvements to its Canter light-duty truck for compliance with Japanese regulations to be introduced in September 2021.

The Tokyo Zero-emission Innovation Bay aims to make the Tokyo Bay area the first zero-emission innovation hub in the world through the collaboration of many different locally-based companies and research institutions.

Mitsubishi Fuso has launched a new model version of its heavy-duty Super Great truck, equipped for the first time with Emergency Stop Assist, which detects anomalies in steering wheel activity.

The Dutro Z EV, a next-generation ultra-low-floor, front-wheel drive light-duty electric truck with a walk-through van-style configuration designed to be both user-friendly and emissions-free, will be introduced in Japan in early summer 2022.

Isuzu completed the acquisition of UD Trucks Corporation from the Volvo Group on April 1, 2021, with the two groups looking to move ahead with their strategic alliance in the global truck sector.

In April, Toyota and Aeon agreed to expand further their collaboration to develop systems that would help improve the efficiency of Japan’s logistics industry.

Toyota plans to establish a new joint venture in China with Beijing SinoHytec Company, called Toyota Sinohytec Fuel Cell Company, to manufacture hydrogen fuel cell systems to power electric vehicles.

Mitsubishi Fuso has launched an upgraded medium/heavy-duty Fighter truck with an advanced safety package, which puts it in full compliance with new safety regulations in Japan due to be introduced in September.