Japan’s light commercial vehicle market of 2.0-4.5 tons gvw expanded by 6.5% to 75,525 units in the first quarter from 70,904 units a year earlier, despite weakening private consumption in the country.

The commercial vehicle market over 2 tons gvw in Japan expanded by 5.1% to 130,778 units in the first quarter of 2019 from weak year-earlier sales of 124,448 units, based on data released by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Hino Motors Corporation has agreed to join the Monet Technologies Corporation partnership between Toyota, Softbank and now also Honda of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, which is focused on the development of new mobility technologies and services including autonomous driving.

Mitsubishi-Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation said it plans to invest up to JPY5bn (USD46m) in 2019 to upgrade selected dealerships as part of its seven-year Mirai Project aimed at “revolutionizing” its retail network in Japan.

Jacobs Vehicle Systems, a manufacturer of diesel and natural gas engine retarding systems and valve actuation mechanisms, has launched a compression release engine brake for Hino Motor’s all-new 2020 Hino XL Series Truck, which is to go into series production later this year.

Japanese lifestyle retailer, MUJI and Finnish autonomous driving company, Sensible 4, have launched GACHA, which they claim is the first autonomous driving bus (minibus pod) for all weather conditions.

Penske Truck Leasing Co has taken delivery of its first Fuso eCanter.

The commercial vehicle (over 2 tons gvw) market in Japan in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2018 expanded by 8.6% to 108,871 units from weak sales in the same period a year-earlier of 100,220 units, based on data released by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines in November unveiled a production model of the Fuso Canter Commute, a light-duty bus designed to replace the Jeepney as the country’s main public utility vehicle.

UD Trucks Ageo, Saitama prefecture (a Volvo Group subsidiary) added a new model to its Quon heavy truck range at the end of January featuring a small displacement 8-litre engine.

UD Trucks, based in Ageo, Saitama prefecture (a Volvo Group subsidiary), in January launched the updated Quester – its heavy-duty truck range designed for developing markets with tough road conditions in mind.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, a Daimler company, has relocated its corporate headquarters to the newly constructed Product Centre on the site of its main production facility in Kawasaki City.