Archion: Uniting Hino and Mitsubishi Fuso for Sustainable Mobility

Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso, two prominent Japanese truck and bus manufacturers, are moving forward with a significant integration. The new holding company, Archion, will serve as the umbrella for both brands, headquartered in Tokyo.

Operations under the Archion name are set to begin on April 1, 2026. Both Hino and Fuso will retain their distinct brand identities while combining their strengths to support the broader goal of delivering next-generation commercial mobility solutions.

The integration is designed to focus on customer needs and advance sustainable transportation. Key advantages identified include implementing an integrated platform strategy—this is expected to enhance product offerings, expand the portfolio, achieve economies of scale, and improve investment efficiency.

In addition, consolidating production is on the agenda, with plans to focus manufacturing at three main sites in Japan by the end of 2028. Leadership at Archion is emphasizing transparency, compliance, and financial performance.

CEO Karl Deppen has stated the company’s vision centers on providing superior products and solutions for customers and stakeholders, while building trust through effective governance. CFO Hetal Laligi highlighted a clear financial strategy: unlocking the full potential of the integration by realizing synergies and growth opportunities, all while continuing to improve each company’s individual performance.

The aim is to reach benchmark levels of financial resilience and sustainable value creation. Satoshi Ogiso, Archion’s designated CTO, reinforced the commitment to customer-centricity and ongoing product innovation. He also pointed to accelerated development in CASE technologies—Connected, Autonomous, Shared, and Electric mobility—as a central part of Archion’s future direction.

In South Africa, Hino will continue to operate independently, with a focus on maintaining its leadership in customer satisfaction and market presence. Overall, Archion’s formation marks a strategic move. The company is positioning itself as a leader in commercial vehicle mobility, leveraging the combined expertise of Hino and Fuso to drive innovation and sustainable growth in the industry.

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Colin-on-Cars - Diamond sparkle for Merc trucks

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but the sparkly gems also represent significant achievement and Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee as a manufacturer in South Africa.

As part of the celebration it has unveiled 60 Fuso Canter FE7-136 special edition models for the local market.

Michael Dietz, President & CEO Daimler Truck Southern Africa says “I am proud to say this year has been nothing short of amazing for us as DTSA. We kick-started our diamond anniversary celebrations on a high note and, now what better way to culminate it than to introduce the Fuso Canter FE7-136 60th edition range, a product we proudly deem kingpin within our Fuso brand.

“The future of our plant lies in our continuous endeavour to produce ground-breaking trucks and buses, our highly skilled people and motivated by one single vision – to fulfil the evolving business needs of our customers”.

Michael Dietz

The Fuso Canter FE7-136 is one of the most popular and top performers in the Fuso stable, and it is for this reason it is the first-line flagship model to celebrate the milestone.

On the exterior, the new trucks feature red stripes that represent the Fuso brand’s colours, while the interior sees seatbelt pads branded with a red Fuso logo. In addition to this, the open plan floor for easy cabin movement has also been enhanced with floor-branded mats on both ends.

The 3 908 cc engine remains unchanged, offering 100 kW and 370 Nm and is both economical and dependable. Engine access for service requirements is quick and easy with a forward-tilting cab on all models.

Interior enhancements include a fully adjustable driver’s seat and a front passenger bench seat with integral headrests and easy-clean dashboard. In addition, there is a fully rake and reach adjustable steering column.

Safety is at the forefront of the cab design, featuring the Fuso Canter RISE (Realized Impact Safety Evolution) impact system, where all crash protection aspects have been addressed. The cab floor has been strengthened, the steering column is collapsible and the doors feature a cross-doorframe protection bar.

In addition, the dashboard features an impact-absorbing frame and is manufactured from shatter-resistant materials.

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