Daimler Truck subsidiary Fuso establishes joint venture for electric buses with Foxconn
The joint venture aims to develop competitive, zero-emission buses initially for the Japanese market. Set to launch in the second half of 2026, it will operate as an independent bus original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Katsuto Kora, currently head of Fuso’s bus division – which is not active in Europe – has been appointed CEO of the new company.
Through their subsidiaries Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, the two companies will combine their expertise in the development, production, supply chain management, and distribution of zero-emission buses.
The joint venture’s headquarters will be located in Kawasaki, Japan. The electric buses produced by the joint venture will bear the Fuso name and be manufactured at Fuso’s existing bus plant in Toyama, Japan. The initial models will be the Model T and Model U, which have already been developed by Foxtron as reference vehicles.
The Model T was unveiled in 2021 and is now in service in several Taiwanese cities, including the capital Taipei, as well as in Indonesia. The vehicle features the classic 12-metre city bus length and is said to offer a range of 400 kilometres.
The Model U, however, is a microbus that was presented in October 2024. Its interior is modular and luxuriously appointed, as shown in the following video. Depending on the seating configuration, it can accommodate up to 21 passengers. Official dimensions and technical specifications are not yet available, as the vehicle remains in prototype status or is a “reference design”.
Fuso CEO Karl Deppen stated: “We are delighted to collaborate with Foxconn. This partnership combines the strengths of both companies and will accelerate our transformation in the bus sector. By leveraging the extensive experience and technological expertise of Fuso and Foxconn, we will offer our customers cutting-edge solutions for public transport and contribute to society in Japan and worldwide.”
“Mobility is a strategic priority for Foxconn,” said Jun Seki, Chief Strategy Officer for Electric Vehicles at Foxconn. “This collaboration with Mitsubishi Fuso will deliver a comprehensive electrification solution for Japan’s transport system. This approach will significantly shorten development cycles and improve cost efficiency.”
Fuso and Foxconn signed a memorandum of understanding last August to explore a strategic partnership in zero-emission mobility. Even then, the focus was primarily on these two electric bus models. At first glance, Fuso’s decision to partner with Foxconn on electric buses may seem surprising, given that Fuso’s parent company, Daimler Truck, already offers the successful Mercedes-Benz eCitaro battery-electric bus. However, markets and requirements differ significantly. Adapting the eCitaro for Japan would likely take longer and prove more costly than utilising Foxconn’s modern platform.
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