Mitsubishi Fuso and Foxconn to launch Fuso Bus joint venture on 2 November, with 50-50 ownership

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Foxconn have announced that their new bus manufacturing joint venture, Fuso Bus, is scheduled to begin operations on 2 November 2026, subject to the successful closing of the transaction.

The new bus manufacturer will be owned equally by the two companies, each holding a 50% stake, with headquarters in Kawasaki, Japan, and production based at the existing Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing facility in Toyama. According to the joint announcement issued today, 26 October, Fuso Bus will develop, manufacture, sell and provide after-sales services for both internal combustion engine (ICE) and zero-emission buses, targeting domestic and international markets.

The companies have also confirmed the proposed management structure, with Katsuto Kora designated as Representative Director and CEO and Junichi Yamamoto as CFO. The appointments are expected to take effect on 2 November, subject to transaction closing and the required corporate approvals.

The agreement follows the announcement made in January 2026 by Mitsubishi Fuso and Foxconn to establish a dedicated bus manufacturer in Japan, following an earlier memorandum of understanding between the companies. The collaboration had first emerged in June 2025, when reports indicated that Foxconn was in talks to supply Mitsubishi Fuso with battery-electric buses based on the Foxtron Model T and Model U platforms. The Model T has been operating in Taiwan since 2022, while the smaller Model U was unveiled in 2023. The initial plans indicated a Japanese market introduction in 2027, with vehicles marketed under the FUSO brand.

The establishment of Fuso Bus follows the corporate reorganisation completed on 1 April 2026, when Daimler Truck transferred Mitsubishi Fuso into the newly established ARCHION Corporation, a Tokyo-listed holding company combining Mitsubishi Fuso and Toyota’s Hino Motors. ARCHION holds 100% of both manufacturers, with Daimler Truck and Toyota each planning to retain approximately 25% of the holding company. The transaction resulted in Mitsubishi Fuso’s deconsolidation from Daimler Truck, while former Mitsubishi Fuso CEO Karl Deppen became President and CEO of ARCHION.

Fuso Bus joint venture: 50-50 ownership

According to Mitsubishi Fuso and Foxconn, Fuso Bus will operate as a dedicated bus manufacturer, covering vehicle development, manufacturing, sales and after-sales services.

The company’s headquarters will be located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, while its manufacturing base will be established at the current Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing Co., Ltd. facility in Toyama City, Toyama Prefecture.

The joint venture’s product scope includes both conventional combustion-engine buses and zero-emission vehicles. The companies have not disclosed production capacity targets, investment amounts or a detailed timetable for the introduction of new electric bus models in the latest announcement.

The planned start of operations on 2 November remains conditional on the successful closing of the transaction.

Katsuto Kora to lead Fuso Bus

Mitsubishi Fuso and Foxconn have disclosed the planned board composition and executive appointments for Fuso Bus.

Katsuto Kora, currently Director and Head of Mitsubishi Fuso Bus at MFTBC and Chairman of Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing Co., Ltd., is designated to become Representative Director and CEO of the new company. Junichi Yamamoto, currently Senior Manager of Fuso Bus Business Strategy at MFTBC, is designated as Chief Financial Officer.

In brief

• When will Fuso Busbegin operations?
  On 2 November 2026, subject to the successful closing of the transaction.
• Who will own the new bus manufacturer?
  Mitsubishi Fuso and Foxconn will each hold a 50% stake.
• Where will Fuso Bus manufacture its vehicles?
  At the existing Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing plant in Toyama, Japan.
• Who will lead Fuso Bus?
  Katsuto Kora is designated as CEO, with Junichi Yamamoto as CFO.

The proposed board will include five non-executive directors, three from Foxconn and two from Mitsubishi Fuso.

Foxconn’s representatives will be Jun Seki, Chief Strategy Officer of its EV Business; Philip Huang, Senior Director and Head of the Strategic Controlling Division; and Sam Kung, Senior Vice President and Head of Strategy Finance.

Mitsubishi Fuso will be represented by Xiaohui Du, Senior Vice President and CFO, Head of Financial & Controlling, and Patrick Burghardt, Senior Vice President and Head of Operations Trucks & Buses.

According to the joint announcement, all appointments are planned to take effect on 2 November 2026, subject to successful transaction closing and approval from the relevant boards and shareholders.

Fuso Bus to manufacture buses for domestic and international markets

The new company will operate across the full bus manufacturing and commercial value chain, from vehicle development and production to sales and after-sales support.

Mitsubishi Fuso, a company within the ARCHION Group, currently manufactures commercial vehicles at facilities in Japan and Portugal and serves approximately 170 countries and regions.

Foxconn, officially Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., is headquartered in New Taipei City, Taiwan. The electronics manufacturing group reported revenue of TWD 8.1 trillion, approximately $260 billion, in 2025. Electric vehicles are among the industrial sectors included in the group’s development strategy.

The latest announcement does not provide further technical specifications for the future Fuso Bus zero-emission range, including battery capacities, propulsion systems or vehicle dimensions.