Minsei Diesel Industries
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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 freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construct ...
s,
bus A bus (contracted from omnibus, with variants multibus, motorbus, autobus, etc.) is a motor vehicle that carries significantly more passengers than an average car or van, but fewer than the average rail transport. It is most commonly used ...
es, bus chassis and special-purpose vehicles. Its headquarters are located in
Ageo, Saitama file:Ageo Ageomaruyama-kouen Sakuramaturi 1.jpg, 260px, Ageo Maruyama Park is a Cities of Japan, city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. As of February 1, 2024, the city had an estimated population of 230,041 in 107,555 households and a popula ...
, Japan. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Isuzu , commonly known as Isuzu (, ), is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Its principal activity is the production, marketing and sale of Isuzu commercial vehicles and diesel engines ...
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 a diesel engine that uses compression ignition in 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; fuel is then in ...
), 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, officially the Tokyo Metropolis, is the capital of Japan, capital and List of cities in Japan, most populous city in Japan. With a population of over 14 million in the city proper in 2023, it is List of largest cities, one of the most ...
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 Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp (formerly Fried. Krupp AG and Friedrich Krupp GmbH), trading as Krupp, was the largest company in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century as well as Germany's premier weapons manufacturer during both wor ...
. 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 10,965, and total area of . Hakone is a notable spa town and a popular tourist destination due to its many onsen, hot springs being within view of ...
,
Osaka is a Cities designated by government ordinance of Japan, designated city in the Kansai region of Honshu in Japan. It is the capital of and most populous city in Osaka Prefecture, and the List of cities in Japan, third-most populous city in J ...
,
Kyoto Kyoto ( or ; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan's largest and most populous island of Honshu. , the city had a population of 1.46 million, making it t ...
,
Gero Gero I ( 900 – 20 May 965), sometimes called the Great (),Thompson, 486. Also se was a nobleman from East Francia who ruled an initially modest march centred on Merseburg in the south of the present German state of Saxony-Anhalt, which he ...
,
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 vill ...
, Niigata and
Aizu is the westernmost of the three regions of Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, the other two regions being Nakadōri in the central area of the prefecture and Hamadōri in the east. As of October 1, 2010, it had a population of 291,838. The princ ...
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

In 1960,
Nissan is a Japanese multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. The company sells its vehicles under the ''Nissan'' and ''Infiniti'' brands, and formerly the ''Datsun'' brand, with in-house ...
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 headquar ...
.'' In 1969, the 780-series replaced the 680-series bonneted truck.


1970–1979

In 1971 the heavy
Nissan Diesel C-series The Nissan Diesel C-series () was a Truck classification, heavy-duty commercial vehicle that was produced by the Japanese manufacturer UD Trucks, Nissan Diesel (now UD Trucks) and sold in two generations between 1971 and 1990 (although production c ...
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 is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. The company sells its vehicles under the ''Nissan'' and ''Infiniti'' brands, and formerly the ''Datsun'' brand, with in-house performance tuning pr ...
.


1980–1989

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 S.p.A., an acronym for Industrial Vehicles Corporation, is an Italian multinational transport vehicle manufacturing company with headquarters in Turin, Italy. It designs and builds light, medium, and heavy Commercial vehicle, commercial veh ...
of Italy to jointly develop low-pollution diesel engines.


1990–1999

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, Tbk. is an Indonesian conglomerate controlled by Jardine Cycle & Carriage. It was founded in 1957 by Tjia Kian Tie, Liem Pen Hong with the name of PT Astra International Incorporated. It is Southeast Asia's largest independ ...
, and the Dongfeng Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd, a joint venture company with Sumitomo Corporation and Dongfeng Motor Corporation.


2000–2009

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 smallest of the " Big Four" state-owned car manufacturers of China with 671,000 sales in 2023, b ...
. Nissan Diesel was purchased by the
Volvo Group The Volvo Group (; 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, distribution and sale of truck ...
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 Renault S.A., commonly referred to as Groupe Renault ( , , , also known as the Renault Group in English), is a French Multinational corporation, multinational Automotive industry, automobile manufacturer established in 1899. The company curr ...
in 2001. Starting from 2007, the OEM supply agreement between Nissan Diesel and
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation The is a Japanese manufacturer of trucks and buses. It is headquartered in Kawasaki, Kanagawa and owned by Germany-based Daimler Truck.
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

On February 1, 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 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 estim ...
, 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. As of February 1, 2024, the city had an estimated population of 230,041 in 107,555 households and a population density of 5100 persons per km2. The total area of the city ...
. 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., doing business 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 automobi ...
, which was renamed as Dongfeng Nengdi. 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 language, Quechua ''kuntur''. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere. One species, the And ...
trucks. The Condor, a medium-duty truck, is supplied by
Isuzu , commonly known as Isuzu (, ), is a Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. Its principal activity is the production, marketing and sale of Isuzu commercial vehicles and diesel engines ...
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 Metropolitan Municipality in the Gauteng province of South Africa. This industrialized area is best known for its automotive industry ...
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

* 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 language, Quechua ''kuntur''. They are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere. One species, the And ...
-Medium-duty truck rebadged
Isuzu Forward The (also known as the Isuzu F-Series) is a line of medium-to-heavy-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 a ...
* Kazet-Light-duty truck rebadged
Isuzu Elf The is a medium duty truck produced by Isuzu since 1959. Outside Japan it is known as N series and Q Series. The range was originally mainly available in Japan and other Asian countries. Australia was another important market for the Elf and N ...
*
Quester is a 1987 Breakout clone, block breaker arcade game developed and published in Japan by Namco. Controlling a paddle-like craft, the player is tasked with clearing each stage by deflecting a ball towards a formation of bricks towards the top of th ...
-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, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
n market. * SLF - Heavy Duty Bus *
BRT BRT may refer to: Businesses and organizations * Bayrak Radio Television, a Turkish Cypriot broadcaster * Belgische Radio- en Televisieomroep (now ''VRT''), a Flemish broadcaster * Business Research and Training Center (BR&T), Ho Chi Minh Cit ...
- 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 * Coac ...
- 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 * RB31S/X * RB46S/X * RE10S * JA430SAN * JA450SSN * JP251PSN * JA520SAN


Timeline of Ownership


Minsei Industries (1935–1950)

Underwent various namechanges: * Nihon Diesel Industries Ltd. in 1935 * Kanega-Fuchi Diesel Co Ltd. in 1942 * Minsei Industries Ltd. in 1946


Minsei Diesel Industries Ltd. (1950–1959)

Divested from ''Minsei Industries Ltd.''


Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd. (Nissan; 1960–2007)

Minsei Diesel Industries acquired by Nissan Motor Company and subsequently renamed.


Nissan Diesel (Volvo; 2007–2021)

Nissan Diesel Motor Co. acquired by Volvo Group. * Supply agreement with Fuso in 2007 * Name change to UD Trucks in 2010


UD Trucks (Isuzu; 2021–present)

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