The reason: Hino Motors concluded that it is “unlikely that the business of Shanghai Hino will grow in a sustainable manner” due mainly to growing sales of electric-powered commercial vehicles and construction machinery in China.

The company said the move is a first step in a much broader expansion strategy for the region.

According to the fleet operator Inceptio, this was its largest single order of intelligent heavy-duty trucks so far. The trucks were developed in partnership with Dongfeng Commercial Vehicle Company Ltd.

Inchcape confirmed that would start selling a range of Foton new energy and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, including pickups, vans and trucks, in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Dongfeng said “the move to assemble the ‘Captain’ range locally positions Dongfeng as a strong player in Malaysia’s light-duty truck market."

Though the powertrain comes from SuperPanther, Steyr Automotive says the eTopas truck was “co-created” by the two companies for the European market.

The company, which was established in 2019 to develop hydrogen-powered engines, fuel cells, components and other equipment designed to help establish an hydrogen transportation eco-system, today employs around 800 people and has five R&D centres globally.

Chinese battery vehicle manufacturer, BYD unveiled the new ‘E-Vali’ battery-powered delivery van at the IAA Transportation 2024 in Hanover, Germany as the company stepped up its expansion into the European commercial vehicle market.

ZF confirmed that under the new agreement it would further develop the latest version of the hybrid automated manual transmission system, TraXon 2 Hybrid, for heavy-duty trucks in China.

The plant is managed by the company’s local subsidiary, Yuchai Power System (Thailand) Company Ltd, based in Samut Prakan just outside Bangkok.

The agreement is designed to support Farizon Auto’s expansion in the methanol-hydrogen and electric-powered commercial vehicle segment.

The agreement, which was signed at the end of July, is aimed at expanding its business within China’s electric drive axle market.