Owner/Driver #339

tech briefs
Toyota, Hino and Isuzu partner up
ISUZU, HINO AND TOYOTA are to collaborate
on commercial vehicles battery and fuel
cell developments focused on the latter’s
computer-aided software engineering (CASE)
technologies, the Japanese trio reveal.
Focused on light trucks, the trio plans to
jointly work on the development of battery
electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric
vehicles (FCEVs), autonomous driving
technologies, and electronic platforms.
“While working together on BEVs and
FCEVs to reduce vehicle costs, the three
companies plan to advance infrastructurecoordinated
societal implementation, such as
by introducing FCEV trucks to hydrogen-based
society demonstrations in Japan’s Fukushima
Prefecture, and accelerate their dissemination
initiatives,” they say.
“Also, Isuzu, Hino, and Toyota plan to link
their connected technology platforms to build
a platform for commercial vehicles that can
help solve customers’ problems.
“Through this platform, they intend to
provide various logistics solutions that not only
help improve commercial vehicle transport
efficiencies but also contribute to reducing
CO2 emissions.”
It has been a transformative time for Isuzu
recently.
With a more heavy-duty focus, the firm
entered a 2019 technology link with Volvo
globally that saw it gaining control of UD.
Explaining the move, Toyota president Akio
Toyoda says CASE developments changes the
investment and development playing field for
the global automotive enterprise.
“What we are now being called upon to do
is refine CASE technologies and disseminate
them,” Toyoda continues.
“To achieve that, I arrived at the notion that
it is important to implement such technologies
through commercial vehicles in unison with
infrastructure.
“And there was one more thing. Viewed from
a user’s perspective, shippers use both Hino
and Isuzu trucks.
“If Hino and Isuzu work together, we would
be able to face 80 per cent of Japan’s commercial
vehicle customers and come to know their
reality.
“And if we used Toyota’s CASE technologies, we
may be able to solve many of those customers’
difficulties.”
He adds that the location of the action is
motivated by the earthquake and tsunami that
devastated the region and admits the initiative
has his company entering uncharted waters.
“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the
earthquake disaster, so I was wondering which
site I should visit,” Toyoda says.
“As I was thinking about it, I was given
an opportunity to visit Namie Town in
Fukushima Prefecture, which is advancing
initiatives for the future.
“On-site, I was able to talk with Fukushima
governor Uchibori and Namie mayor Yoshida
about their thoughts on reconstruction.
“One project has advanced since then. Isuzu
and Hino fuel cell trucks are carrying goods
using green hydrogen produced in Namie
Town.
“And we will contribute to the realization
of uniform, waste-free delivery by linking
‘make’, ‘transport’, and ‘use’ using connected
technology.
“Together with everyone in Fukushima, we
will make the work of ‘transport’ people easier
and propose new lifestyles to people on the
‘use’ end.
“We are now living in an uncharted era in
which we can’t foresee the right direction.
“In such an environment, you first
have to try. From there you can see what’s
waiting next and try again. Toyota has
Above: Hino and Toyota agreed to jointly develop a heavy-duty fuel
cell truck back in April 2020
survived so far by doing so again and again.
“This time, engaging more in the transportation
front line, our three companies will work together
and try it first.”
To promote their partnership, Isuzu, Hino,
and Toyota are establishing Commercial Japan
Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPTC).
To be headed by Hiroki Nakajima, it is a company
for planning CASE technologies and services for
commercial vehicles based on discussions among its
three parent companies.
“Going forward, Isuzu, Hino, and Toyota intend
to deepen their collaboration while openly
considering cooperation with other like-minded
partners,” they add.
Isuzu Trucks Australia CEO Andrew Harbison
welcomed the latest strategic alliance by Isuzu’s
parent company in Japan.
“With the building of a connected technology
platform another key objective of the collaboration,
we see a clear path for Isuzu in this critical response
to the challenges facing the commercial vehicle
industry and our customers,” Harbison says.
Isuzu and Toyota have agreed on a capital
partnership for the project, with Toyota gaining
around 5 per cent of Isuzu for Yen42.8 billion (A$510
million), while Isuzu plans to acquire Toyota shares
of the same value through a market purchase.
MOORE
Moore trailer for your money!
TRAILERS
07 4693 1088
www.mooretrailers.com.au
80 APRIL 2021 ownerdriver.com.au