Foxconn and Mitsubishi Fuso to Export Japan-Made Electric Buses
- Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus and Taiwan's Hon Hai Precision Industry, commonly known as Foxconn, are establishing a joint venture to develop and produce electric buses in Japan.
- The partnership aims to create competitive, zero-emission buses for the Japanese market before expanding exports to Southeast Asia and Australia around 2030.
- The new entity will operate as an independent bus original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus and Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industry, commonly known as Foxconn, are establishing a joint venture to develop and produce electric buses in Japan.
The partnership aims to create competitive, zero-emission buses for the Japanese market before expanding exports to Southeast Asia and Australia around 2030.
Joint Venture Structure and Leadership
The new entity will operate as an independent bus original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026.
Katsuto Kora, who serves as the head of Fuso’s bus division, has been appointed as the CEO of the joint venture.
The companies will utilize their respective subsidiaries, Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, to combine expertise in production, supply chain management, distribution, and development.
The joint venture will be headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan, with manufacturing taking place at Fuso’s existing bus plant located in Toyama, Japan.
Product Lineup and Specifications
The buses produced by the joint venture will carry the Fuso name. The initial rollout will feature two models previously developed by Foxtron as reference vehicles: the Model T and the Model U.
The Model T is a 12-metre city bus that was unveiled in 2021. It is currently in service in Indonesia and several Taiwanese cities, including Taipei, and offers a range of 400 kilometres.
The Model U is a microbus presented in October 2024. It features a modular, luxuriously appointed interior and can accommodate up to 21 passengers depending on the seating configuration.
Corporate Context
Mitsubishi Fuso is a commercial vehicle manufacturer that has been majority-owned by Daimler Truck since 2005.
The collaboration allows Fuso to leverage Foxconn’s manufacturing capabilities and Foxtron’s existing electric vehicle designs to accelerate its entry into the zero-emission bus market.
The strategic goal of the tie-up is to expand Japan’s presence in the international electric bus market, specifically targeting growth in Australia and Southeast Asia by 2030.