Daimler Truck and Toyota Motor Corporation have taken the next major step in merging their Japanese truck affiliates, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Hino Motors Ltd. The new combined company will be called ARCHION, the partners announced this week, marking a significant milestone in the integration process first unveiled in 2023.
The name, derived from the words “arch” and “eon,” is meant to represent “a bridge to the future” and the companies’ commitment to long-term collaboration. ARCHION will officially launch on April 1, 2026, pending regulatory approval in Japan and abroad.
Fast Facts
What Is ARCHION?
- Name: ARCHION Holdings Inc.
- Launch Date: April 1, 2026 (pending approval)
- Owners: Daimler Truck AG (25%), Toyota Motor Corp (25%), public shareholders (50%)
- CEO: Karl Deppen
- Brands: Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors
- Focus Areas: Electric and hydrogen powertrains, connected and autonomous technologies
Under the merger agreement, Daimler Truck and Toyota will each hold a 25% stake in ARCHION, with the remaining shares publicly listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The new holding company will fully own both Fuso and Hino and oversee their combined operations in manufacturing, product development, and procurement.
The merger brings together more than 40,000 employees across the two companies and will align efforts in electrification, hydrogen powertrains, and autonomous driving systems. Daimler Truck CEO Karin Rådström said the partnership will “build the scale and efficiency required to compete in a rapidly transforming industry.”
Karl Deppen, currently head of Mitsubishi Fuso, will serve as ARCHION’s CEO.
Both Fuso and Hino have faced growing challenges in recent years, from tightening global emissions rules to new competition from Chinese and U.S. electric truck manufacturers. Analysts see the merger as a way to consolidate resources and stabilize Japan’s commercial vehicle sector under a more unified technology and production framework.
Toyota and Daimler Truck said ARCHION will enable shared investment in battery-electric and fuel-cell truck platforms, as well as joint development of connected and autonomous systems. Hino President Satoshi Ogiso described the new structure as “a fresh start for Japanese truck manufacturing built on shared trust and complementary strengths.”
The companies plan to integrate their Japanese operations while keeping both the Fuso and Hino brands active. Some restructuring is expected, including potential plant consolidation. Daimler Truck has already confirmed that one of Fuso’s domestic facilities, the Nakatsu plant, could be sold or repurposed after the merger.
Regulatory reviews are expected to continue into early 2026, with final approvals required before ARCHION begins operations. Both companies have pledged to work closely with suppliers and customers to avoid disruptions during the transition.
