Mitsubishi Fuso has entered a close collaboration with Taiwan’s Foxconn to establish a joint venture focused on electric buses in Japan, confirming earlier expectations of a partnership between the two groups.
The joint venture will develop and market zero-emission buses initially for the Japanese market and is scheduled to begin operations in the second half of 2026. It will operate as an independent bus original equipment manufacturer, with Katsuto Kora, currently head of Fuso’s bus division, appointed as chief executive of the new company.
Through their respective subsidiaries Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies, the partners will combine expertise across vehicle development, production, supply chain management and distribution. The venture’s headquarters will be located in Kawasaki, while manufacturing will take place at Fuso’s existing bus plant in Toyama.
The electric buses will carry the Fuso brand and will initially be based on Foxtron-developed reference vehicles, the Model T and Model U. The Model T, a 12-metre battery-electric city bus unveiled in 2021, is already in operation in several Taiwanese cities, including Taipei, and in Indonesia. Foxtron says the model offers a driving range of around 400 kilometres. The Model U, introduced in October 2024, is a smaller, modular microbus with a premium interior layout and capacity for up to 21 passengers, though it remains in prototype or reference design form with final specifications yet to be disclosed.
Fuso chief executive Karl Deppen said the partnership would accelerate the company’s transition in the bus segment. “This partnership combines the strengths of both companies and will accelerate our transformation in the bus sector,” Deppen said. “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.”
Foxconn has identified mobility as a strategic growth area, and the collaboration aligns with that ambition. “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.”
The agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed by the two companies in August last year to explore cooperation in zero-emission mobility, with electric buses identified early on as the main focus. While Fuso’s parent company, Daimler Truck, already markets the Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electric bus in Europe, industry sources note that differing market requirements make a locally tailored solution for Japan more practical than adapting an existing European platform.