The Governement of South Korea has set itself the ambitious target of switching the country’s entire fleet of medium and heavy commercial vehicles to fuel-cell energy by 2035, as it looks to reduce air pollution in the country – particularly fine-dust.

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.

Foton Motors Philippines Inc has launched two new light commercial vehicle models in the Philippines to meet booming local demand for public utility vehicles – the vehicles are built to government specifications and designed to eventually replace the ageing fleet of Jeepneys as the main local public transport vehicles.

Vehicle builders,  Beiqi Foton Motor Co Ltd (Foton),  Toyota Motor Company, and fuel cell developer, Beijing SinoHytec Co Ltd have announced an agreement for all three parties to jointly develop fuel cell buses.

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.

Seoul-based Hanon Systems has completed its acquisition of the Fluid Pressure & Controls business of Canada's Magna International Inc for approximately USD1.2bn.

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

Hap Seng Trucks Distribution Sdn Bhd took over the Daimler commercial vehicle general distribution business from Mercedes-Benz Malaysia in November 2018.

The Indonesian market for commercial vehicles over 2 tons gvw continued to rebound in the fourth quarter of 2018, with sales rising by over 20% to 49,018 units from 40,669 units a year earlier, based on AsiaMotorBusiness analysis of industry data.

Vietnam’s commercial vehicle market over 2 tons gvw stabilised in the fourth quarter of 2018, with sales rising by just under 4% to 26,324 units from 25,334 units a year earlier, according to AsiaMotorBusiness analysis of data from the Vietnam Automotive Manufacturers Association.