Hino Motors' woes persist as merger talks with Mitsubishi Fuso resume

Financial headwinds and rival's rise cast shadow despite end to engine scandal

Weighed down by settlements and fines related to a falsified engine data scandal, Japan's Hino Motors forecasts a net loss of 265 billion yen this fiscal year. (Photo by Hirotake Kitagawa)

HIROTAKE KITAGAWA

March 6, 2025 08:02 JST

TOKYO -- As talks for a merger between Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus pick back up, market watchers are watching whether the two automakers can overcome mounting obstacles to create synergies on maintenance, production and other areas.

Hino, a Toyota Motor unit, reached a basic agreement in May 2023 to merge with Mitsubishi Fuso. But the deal was postponed indefinitely as Hino faced a protracted scandal over falsified engine data.