Group 1 - Toyota's Hino Motors and Daimler's Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation announced a business merger to enhance competitiveness in the commercial vehicle sector [1][2] - The merger will create a new joint venture company, with Hino and Mitsubishi Fuso becoming wholly-owned subsidiaries, aiming to start operations by April 2026 [1][2] - The new holding company will be based in Tokyo, with Daimler and Toyota each holding 25% of the shares, and the CEO will be Karl Deppen from Mitsubishi Fuso [1][2] Group 2 - The automotive industry is undergoing a transformation with electric and autonomous driving technologies, and Japanese commercial vehicle manufacturers are lagging in next-generation technology development [2] - The merger aims to improve efficiency in R&D, procurement, and production, strengthening the Japanese and Asian automotive industry's foundation [2] - The merger creates two major camps in the Japanese commercial vehicle market: one formed by Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino, and the other by Isuzu and its UD Trucks [2]