日野汽车社长：不要认为中国车只是便宜

Core Viewpoint - The competition in the commercial vehicle sector is expected to intensify in the coming years, particularly with the rise of Chinese manufacturers like BYD expanding their market share in Southeast Asia. Japanese companies must adapt to this changing landscape or risk losing their future viability [2][4]. Group 1: Competition and Market Dynamics - The president of Hino Motors, Akio Kinoshita, expressed concern that if Japanese vehicles are perceived as more expensive while Chinese vehicles offer better quality and after-sales service, the brand and performance of Japanese vehicles will struggle [2][4]. - Kinoshita emphasized that the perception of "China = cheap" among Japanese manufacturers could lead to a loss of future opportunities, highlighting the need to understand the cost structure, including labor and material costs [4]. Group 2: Strategic Responses - Hino Motors plans to leverage synergies from its merger with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus, focusing on optimizing the variety of components produced without sacrificing choice [5]. - The company aims to utilize the technological frameworks of its parent companies, Toyota and Daimler Trucks, to address future challenges in the commercial vehicle sector [5]. - In the bus segment, Hino Motors will respect the framework established with Isuzu Motors for their joint venture, J-BUS, and prioritize bus business plans post-merger [5].