丰田、戴姆勒官宣！日本商用车两大巨头合并

Core Viewpoint - Toyota and Daimler Trucks have reached a final agreement to merge their subsidiaries, Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, by April 2026, aiming to create a new holding company and list it on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, significantly impacting the competitive landscape of Japan's commercial vehicle sector [2][3]. Group 1: Merger Details - Toyota currently holds 50.11% of Hino, while Daimler Trucks owns 89.3% of Mitsubishi Fuso. The new holding company will be jointly owned, with both companies holding 25% of the shares, but with differing voting rights [3]. - The new company will be headquartered in Tokyo, employing over 40,000 staff, with Karl Deppen, the current CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso, appointed as CEO of the new entity [3]. - The merger aims to enhance competitiveness in the global commercial vehicle market by integrating resources and maintaining brand and sales networks in Japan and overseas [8]. Group 2: Background and Challenges - The merger follows a scandal involving Hino's falsification of engine emissions and fuel efficiency data, which severely impacted its financial performance, leading to significant losses in fiscal years 2021 and 2022 [4]. - Hino faced collective lawsuits in multiple markets, including the U.S. and Australia, but reached a $1.2 billion settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice in January 2025, allowing merger negotiations to progress [5]. - The merger is seen as a strategic response to the urgent need for the commercial vehicle industry to transition towards electrification and automation, with significant investments required to remain competitive [8]. Group 3: Strategic Implications - The merger is viewed as a critical move for Japan's automotive industry to adapt to global supply chain restructuring, aiming to enhance bargaining power and risk resilience in the market [9]. - Both companies plan to collaborate on next-generation technologies, including decarbonization and autonomous driving, leveraging Toyota's e-TNGA electric platform and fuel cell technology [9]. - The merger is expected to solidify Japan's position in traditional markets like Southeast Asia and the Middle East, especially in light of the rapid expansion of Chinese commercial vehicle brands [10].