UD Trucks Corporation (UDトラックス株式会社, ''UD Torakkusu Kabushikigaisha'') is a Japanese company whose principal business is the manufacturing and sales of diesel
truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction ...
s,
bus
A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a road vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van. It is most commonly used in public transport, but is also in use for cha ...
es, bus chassis and special-purpose vehicles. Its headquarters are located in
Ageo, Saitama
260px, Ageo Maruyama Park
is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 229,517 in 103,709 households and a population density of 5000 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Ageo ...
, Japan. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Isuzu since 2021.
Until 2010, the company was known as Nissan Diesel.
The UD name was originally used for the company's Uniflow Diesel Engine (a
two-stroke diesel engine
A two-stroke diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses compression ignition, with a two-stroke combustion cycle. It was invented by Hugo Güldner in 1899.Mau (1984) p.7
In compression ignition, air is first compressed and heated; ...
), developed in 1955, but is now marketed as meaning "Ultimate Dependability".
History
1935–1949
In December 1935, Nihon Diesel Industries, Ltd, in
Kawaguchi, Japan on the outskirts of
Tokyo
Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, with an estimated 37.468 ...
was established under the leadership of Kenzo Adachi, where he purchased diesel engine schematics from a Krupp-Junkers patent. The company started production of KD-series
2-cycle diesel engines after entering into partnership and technology exchange with
Friedrich Krupp AG
The Krupp family (see pronunciation), a prominent 400-year-old German dynasty from Essen, is notable for its production of steel, artillery, ammunition and other armaments. The family business, known as Friedrich Krupp AG (Friedrich Kr ...
. In November 1939, to test the durability of the LD1 truck, the company went on a test drive across Japan. The drive went to the villages of
Hakone
is a List of towns in Japan, town in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. , the town had a population of 11,293 and a population density of 122 persons per km². The total area of the town is . The town is a popular tourist destination due to its many o ...
,
Osaka
is a designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the third most populous city in Japan, following Special wards of Tokyo and Yokohama. With a population of 2. ...
,
Kyoto
Kyoto (; Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe. , the ci ...
,
Gero
Gero I ( – 20 May 965), sometimes called the Great ( la, magnus),Thompson, 486. Also se was a German nobleman who ruled an initially modest march centred on Merseburg in the south of the present German state of Saxony-Anhalt, which he expande ...
,
Ikaho
was a town located in Kitagunma District, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 3,920 and a density of 175.63 persons per km2. The total area was 22.32 km2.
On February 20, 2006, Ikaho, along with the vil ...
,
Niigata and
Aizu before returning to Kawaguchi. The route was on very primitive mountain roads and very rural conditions. The truck returned 13 days later on November 20 without incurring any failure, and soon the trucks reliability became known. In 1940 production of 4.5-ton-payload TT6 series trucks started, and in 1942 the company was now known as Kanega-Fuchi Diesel Co., Ltd. In development of 7.5-ton-payload TN93 series trucks, featuring the largest payload capacity in the Japanese market, and the nation's first
monocoque
Monocoque ( ), also called structural skin, is a structural system in which loads are supported by an object's external skin, in a manner similar to an egg shell. The word ''monocoque'' is a French term for "single shell".
First used for boats, ...
-type BR3 series buses with rear-mounted engines.
In 1946 the company name changed to Minsei Industries, Ltd.
In 1949 development of 7.5-ton-payload TN93 series trucks started.
1950–1959
In 1950 Minsei Diesel Industries, Ltd. was spun off from Minsei Industries; and the company was on the way to becoming a comprehensive transport equipment manufacturer. In 1955 the UD name was born, when Minsei Diesel Industries introduced a range uniflow-scavenging 2-cycle diesel engine. Of course, the UD stood for "Uniflow Diesel", named after the engine they had invented for use in their trucks. The production of various trucks and buses with 81 kW (110 PS) UD3, 110 kW (150 PS) UD4 and 169 kW (230 PS) UD6 engines began. In 1957 the development of Japan's first RFA series air-suspension buses and 10-ton-payload 6TW10 series trucks called "Jumbo" in overseas markets began.
1960–1969
![Nissan Diesel 780 in Bangkok, decaying](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Nissan_Diesel_780_in_Bangkok%2C_decaying.jpg)
In 1960,
Nissan
, trade name, trading as Nissan Motor Corporation and often shortened to Nissan, is a Japanese multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer headquartered in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. The company sells ...
Motor Co., Ltd. acquired Minsei Diesel, and was renamed Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd. Forward-control trucks and truck tractors were also introduced. In 1963, there was the initial production of compact 4-cycle 40 kW (55PS)
SD20 and 44 kW (60PS) SD22 diesel engines. 70 to 80-ton crane-carrier truck series were also introduced to the line-up. 1969 saw the introduction of 4-cycle 136 kW (185PS)
PD6 and 99 kW (135 PS)
ND6 diesel engines for heavy-duty vehicles. Diesel products were sold in Japan at a separate dealership sales channel called ''
Nissan Diesel
UD Trucks Corporation (UDトラックス株式会社, ''UD Torakkusu Kabushikigaisha'') is a Japanese company whose principal business is the manufacturing and sales of diesel trucks, buses, bus chassis and special-purpose vehicles. Its headquarte ...
.'' In 1969, the 780-series replaced the 680-series bonneted truck.
1970–1979
![Nissan](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Nissan.CW.340.Diesel.Truck.1.Cambodge.jpg)
In 1971 the heavy
Nissan Diesel C-series
The Nissan Diesel C-series ( ja, 日産ディーゼル・Cシリーズ) was a heavy-duty commercial vehicle that was produced by the Japanese manufacturer Nissan Diesel (now UD Trucks) and sold in two generations between 1971 and 1990 (although ...
arrived, being replaced by the second generation in 1979. 1972 saw the marketing of V-type 206 kW (280 PS)
RD8 and 257 kW (350 PS)
RD10 diesel engines. In 1973, light-duty trucks were produced for the
Nissan Motor Company
, trading as Nissan Motor Corporation and often shortened to Nissan, is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Japan. The company sells its vehicles under the Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun brands, ...
.
1980–1989
![K-U31L-Hitachi-Dentetsu](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/K-U31L-Hitachi-Dentetsu.jpg)
In 1982 there was the introduction of new forward-control cab for the CWA52/45 series trucks (sold as the
Nissan Diesel Resona in Japan), CKA-T series truck tractors and ultra-modern U(A)21, U(A)31, RA51 series buses. As of 1985 the company had a wide range of light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, as well as buses and special-purpose vehicles such as crane carriers. In 1989 there was an agreement with
IVECO
IVECO, an acronym for Industrial Vehicles Corporation, is an Italian multinational transport vehicle manufacturing company. It designs and builds light, medium, and heavy commercial vehicles. The name IVECO first appeared in 1975 after a merger o ...
of Italy to jointly develop low-pollution diesel engines.
1990–1999
![Nishinihon-JRBus-748-3902-JONCKHEERE](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Nishinihon-JRBus-748-3902-JONCKHEERE.jpg)
In 1992 Nissan Diesel Philippines Corp. started manufacturing deluxe coaches in cooperation with
Jonckheere Bus & Coach NV/SA of Belgium. In 1995 Nissan Diesel produced its two millionth vehicles since commencing production in May 1950. 1996 brought about the establishment of PT Astra Nissan Diesel Indonesia, a joint venture company with Marubeni Corporation and
Astra International
Astra International is an Indonesian conglomerate controlled by Jardine Matheson. It is founded in 1957 by Tjia Kian Tie, Liem Pen Hong with the name of PT. Astra International Incorporated.
It is Southeast Asia's largest independent automotive g ...
, and the Dongfeng Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd, a joint venture company with Sumitomo Corporation and Dongfeng Motor Corporation.
2000–2009
![SeibuBus_A9-343](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3f/SeibuBus_A9-343.jpg)
In 2000 Nissan Diesel introduced new heavy-duty trucks in Japan and Asian countries. It also acquired the sales operation from Nissan Diesel Sales Co., Ltd. In 2003, Nissan Motor and Nissan Diesel reached a basic agreement on a light-duty truck joint venture. There was also the signing of development assistance contract for air suspension of buses with China's
Dongfeng Motor Corporation
Dongfeng Motor Corporation Ltd. is a Chinese state-owned automobile manufacturer headquartered in Wuhan, Hubei. Founded in 1969, it is currently the third largest of the " Big Four" state-owned car manufacturers of China, namely: SAIC Motor, F ...
.
Nissan Diesel was purchased by the
Volvo Group
The Volvo Group ( sv, Volvokoncernen; legally Aktiebolaget Volvo, shortened to AB Volvo, stylized as VOLVO) is a Swedish multinational manufacturing corporation headquartered in Gothenburg. While its core activity is the production, distributio ...
in 2007, becoming a subsidiary. After the transaction between Nissan Motor and Volvo, Nissan Diesel's business relations with Nissan Motors continued as normal and the Nissan Diesel and UD brand names remained unchanged. Volvo also acquired the truck division of
Renault
Groupe Renault ( , , , also known as the Renault Group in English; legally Renault S.A.) is a French multinational automobile manufacturer established in 1899. The company produces a range of cars and vans, and in the past has manufactured ...
in 2001.
Starting from 2007, the OEM supply agreement between Nissan Diesel and
became effective, with both companies supplying engines to each other for use in new buses, and supplying some buses to each other with the partner's badge.
2010–present
![BMTC-342F-Volvo-UD-Sarjapura](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/BMTC-342F-Volvo-UD-Sarjapura.JPG)
On 1 February 2010, Nissan Diesel changed its name to UD Trucks. At the same time Nissan Diesel Trucks Japan, a 100% owned sales company of UD Trucks in Japan, changed its name to UD Trucks Japan.
On September 12, 2012, UD Trucks of North America announced that it will no longer be part of the North American truck market. Reasons given for this decision was a combination of factors, including the continued shrinking of the cab-over-engine market segment and the accelerating cost of regulatory compliance.
In 2013, UD Trucks launched the
UD Quester
The UD Quester is a line of heavy-duty commercial vehicle produced by UD Trucks with Volvo Group. It is also related with the new generation of the UD Quon series made in Japan.
About
UD Trucks introduced Quester Project with Volvo at Bangkok o ...
at
Bangkok
Bangkok, officially known in Thai language, Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon and colloquially as Krung Thep, is the capital and most populous city of Thailand. The city occupies in the Chao Phraya River delta in central Thailand and has an estima ...
, a new heavy-duty truck for developing countries.
In 2014, UD Trucks merged with UD Trucks Japan. That same year, Volvo's Volvo Buses started to market UD buses in India. The first model for that market, the
UD SLF, was introduced in 2015.
In 2015, UD Trucks renewed its headquarters building in
Ageo
260px, Ageo Maruyama Park
is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 229,517 in 103,709 households and a population density of 5000 persons per km². The total area of the city is .
Geography
Ag ...
.
In 2016, UD Trucks started selling the Kazet, a new light-duty for the Japanese market that is supplied by Mitsubishi Fuso. In December of that year, it sold its stake in Dongvo (previously Dongfeng Nissan Diesel), a joint venture with
Dongfeng Motor Group
Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd. known also as DFG is a Chinese holding company based in Wuhan, Hubei. Its H shares were listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
Dongfeng Motor Group formed several joint ventures with other foreign automobile make ...
, which was renamed as
Dongfeng Nengdi
Dongfeng Nengdi (Hangzhou) Motor Co., Ltd. also known as just DND is a Chinese manufacturer of fire trucks.
History
The company was known as Dongfeng Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd. (), which was a joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Group an ...
.
In 2017, UD Trucks launched new versions of the
Quon and
Condor
Condor is the common name for two species of New World vultures, each in a monotypic genus. The name derives from the Quechua ''kuntur''. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.
They are:
* The Andean condor (''Vult ...
trucks. The Condor, a medium-duty truck, is supplied by
Isuzu as part of an OEM agreement, mainly for the Japanese market. The company also launched a new
Croner and the light-duty Kuzer, both aimed at developing countries.
In December 2019 Volvo signed a non-binding
memorandum of understanding to form a strategic alliance with Isuzu. As part of the agreement, Volvo plans to eventually transfer UD Trucks to Isuzu. In October 2020, the sale agreement became binding.
In April 2021, Isuzu Motors became the owner of UD Trucks, completing the sale with Volvo.
Markets
UD Trucks are marketed in over 60 countries. Some of the main markets are Japan, South Africa, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.
UD Trucks Southern Africa's head office and assembly plant is in
Rosslyn, Gauteng
Rosslyn is an industrial suburb of Akasia, 29 km north-west of Pretoria and part of the City of Tshwane Municipality in the Gauteng province of South Africa.
This industrialized area is best known for its automotive industry, in particular ...
and includes a competency development centre. There are 36 UD Trucks dealers and service agents in South Africa and another 30 in other southern African countries, including Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Products
Trucks
![UD_TRUCKS_Kuzer](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/UD_TRUCKS_Kuzer.jpg)
*
Quon- Heavy-duty truck - available with either a 8-litre or 11-litre engine in 4x2, 6x2, 6x4 or 8x4
*
Condor
Condor is the common name for two species of New World vultures, each in a monotypic genus. The name derives from the Quechua ''kuntur''. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere.
They are:
* The Andean condor (''Vult ...
-Medium-duty truck rebadged
Isuzu Forward
The (also known as the Isuzu F-Series) is a line of medium-duty commercial vehicles manufactured by Isuzu since 1970, following the earlier TY model which occupied the same slot in the market. All F-series trucks are cab over designs and the ...
*
Kazet-Light-duty truck rebadged
Mitsubishi Fuso Canter
The is a line of light-duty commercial vehicles manufactured by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, part of Daimler Truck, subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz Group. The Canter is manufactured since 1963, now in its eighth generation. The Can ...
*
Quester-Heavy-duty truck for developing countries
*
Croner-Medium-duty truck for developing countries
*
Kuzer-Light-duty truck for developing countries
Former truck models:
*
Big Thumb
Bus
UD Trucks ceased its Japanese bus production in 2011, but in 2014 launched a new series of UD Buses for the
India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
n market.
*
SLF - Heavy Duty Bus
*
BRT
BRT may refer to:
Transportation
* Block register territory, a method for dispatching trains
* British Rail Telecommunications
* Brookhaven Rail Terminal
* Brooklyn Rapid Transit Company, a former transit holding company in New York City
* Bro ...
- Heavy Duty Bus
*
Coach
Coach may refer to:
Guidance/instruction
* Coach (sport), a director of athletes' training and activities
* Coaching, the practice of guiding an individual through a process
** Acting coach, a teacher who trains performers
Transportation
* Co ...
- Heavy Duty Coach
Former bus models:
*
Space Arrow - Heavy Duty Bus
*
Space Wing - Heavy Duty Bus
*
Space Runner A -Heavy Duty Bus
*
Space Runner RA -Heavy Duty Bus
*
Space Runner RM -Medium Duty Bus
*
Space Runner RP -Heavy Duty Bus
*
Space Runner JP -Heavy Duty Bus
*
UA - Heavy Duty Bus
*
RN - Medium Duty Bus
Former Bus Models (Philippines)
Front Engine Bus
* CMF87L
* CPB87N
*LKA211N
*NU41B
*SP210P
* SP215NSB
* PKB212N
Rear Engine Bus
- RE10S
* RB31S/X
* RB46S/X
*
* JA430SAN
* JA450SSN
* JP251PSN
* JA520SAN
Timeline of Ownership
1a. Minsei Diesel Industries (1935 - 1950)
Underwent various namechanges:
* Nihon Diesel Industries Ltd. (1935).
* Kanega-Fuchi Diesel Co Ltd. (1942).
* Minsei Industries Ltd. (1946).
1b. Minsei Diesel Industries Ltd. (1950 - 1959)
* divested from ''Minsei Industries Ltd.''
2. Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd. (Nissan) (1960 - 2007)
Minsei Diesel Industries acquired by Nissan Motor Company and subsequently renamed.
3. Nissan Diesel (Volvo). (2007 - 2010)
Nissan Diesel Motor Co. acquired by Volvo Group.
* supply agreement with Fuso. (2007)
* name change to UD Trucks. (2010)
4. UD Trucks (Isuzu). (2021)
UD Trucks acquired by Isuzu Motors.
References
External links
UD Trucks International website
{{Authority control
Bus manufacturers of Japan
Companies based in Saitama Prefecture
Truck manufacturers of Japan
Isuzu
Companies formerly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange
Japanese brands
2007 mergers and acquisitions
2021 mergers and acquisitions
Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1935
Japanese companies established in 1935