Headquartered in Tokyo, ‘Beyond Materials’ is a new consultancy advising material suppliers and product manufacturers focussing on the areas of market research, strategy and product development, implementation support, and scalable digital solutions.

The aim of this network is to share data regarding EV batteries in line with new European regulation disclosing battery CO2 emissions and the resource recycling rate throughout battery lifecycles to comply with the necessary legislation, so that Japanese manufacturers can sell EVs and HEVs into European markets.

Fuso sets up trials of latest eCanter in Indonesia. Indonesian government sets out strategy to decarbonise transport.

Hino pulls out of Russia.

CV sales in Japan continue downward trend in 2022.

In the first half of 2022, regional sales rose by 2.5% to 703,309 units, although the CV performance of the seven different markets in the region (excludes China) was either very positive or extremely negative.

The new eCanter now features an electric axle motor, allowing for a wider range of chassis configurations including GVWs between 4.25t and 8.55t, six different wheelbases between 2,500mm and 4750mm, and three battery options.

Toyota is is investing around JPY400bn in Japan and JPY325bn, or USD2.5bn, in the USA to expand its battery manufacturing capacity by up to 40 GWh. 

CJPT, a research joint venture into alternative propulsion systems, decided that Hino's past wrongdoings - which includes falsification of data during emissions testing of its engines - were incompatible with its zero-carbon goals.

Tata Motor's associated battery JV has signed an agreement with Tata Motors to distribute its batteries through the OEM's extensive dealer and aftermarket network.

Joint Venture CJPT and components giant Denso Corporation have announced they are to work jointly to develop hydrogen-powered combustion engines for heavy-duty commercial vehicles. 

CJPT in Japan, a technology development partnership company and JV involving Toyota Motor Corporation, Hino Motors Ltd (a Toyota subsidiary) and Isuzu Motors Ltd, has announced a programme to research a standard, commercial, swappable and rechargeable battery cartridge for use in electric vehicles.