OEM superpowers unite

Just as last week’s FOCUS newsletter was being signed off, we received word that Hino Motors Limited and Volkswagen Truck & Bus were entering into a long-term partnership to “expand their respective global footprints and get into a superior position to tackle the challenges of the industry”.

With the future of transport and logistics in mind, the companies will explore each other’s capabilities to cooperate in logistics and traffic-solution research, existing and new technologies, as well as in procurement.

The evaluation of technology cooperation will focus on conventional powertrains, hybrid and electric powertrains, as well as connectivity and autonomous driving systems.

Yoshio Shimo, president and CEO of Hino Motors Limited, said: “This agreement was made possible because Hino Motors and Volkswagen Truck & Bus respect each other and share the same aspiration to offer customers the highest value.

“Hino Motors invented the company slogan ‘Trucks and Busses that do more’. In order to do justice to that, Hino Motors will pursue regional business cooperation and joint utilisation of technologies with Volkswagen Truck & Bus to offer customers better products and, ultimately, customised total support.

“It will also be a strong tie-up at times of new challenges in the field of transportation, due to the rapid growth of e-commerce.”

Andreas Renschler, member of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG and CEO of Volkswagen Truck & Bus, added: “We are teaming up with one of the leading truck and bus companies, whose presence is especially strong in Asia. It is an excellent fit in terms of regional footprints and products, but also concerning common ideas on how to shape the future of transportation together.

“The cooperation with Hino Motors will also contribute to our strategy to become the global champion in the transportation industry by providing the highest value to our customers.”

A joint Alliance Board has been set up based on the Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement (SCFA) to discuss the direction of the long-term and eye-level partnership.

Among other things, the Alliance Board will explore and evaluate cooperation in existing technologies, for example, whether there is room for jointly utilising conventional powertrains to offer better products for customers. It will also evaluate initiatives for future transportation technologies.