Volvo and Isuzu are getting closer

Volvo and Isuzu: a strategic alliance. Formally, what the two companies have signed is called a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding. It is the first step of a promising technology partnership aimed at creating a stronger, combined heavy-duty truck business for Isuzu Motors and UD Trucks in Japan and across international markets.

ISUZU AND THE PARTNERSHIP WITH CUMMINS

This will entail transferring ownership of the complete UD Trucks business globally from the Volvo Group to Isuzu Motors in order to accelerate growth by leveraging greater volumes and complementary capabilities. There is great complementarity between the two Groups from both a geographical and product line perspective, with further opportunities to be explored over time.

The synergy between Volvo and Isuzu

«The Volvo Group and Isuzu Motors have a well-established relationship on medium-duty trucks in Japan based on mutual respect, shared values and win-win spirit. We see great potential to extend our cooperation within technology, sales and service as well as other areas going forward, for the benefit of our customers and business partners», said Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO of the Volvo Group. «Our UD Trucks colleagues have done a great job to improve performance in recent years and the alliance opens up a great opportunity to continue the successful journey».

«Isuzu Motors and the Volvo Group strongly believe in the business opportunities and synergy potential between the two Groups. We intend to derive the full value from each other’s different specialties across product and geographical strongholds. Our collaboration will actively contribute to service improvements and strengthened customer satisfaction as well as to prepare ourselves for the forthcoming logistics revolution», added Masanori Katayama, President and Representative Director of Isuzu Motors Limited.

VOLVO GROUP INVESTING IN AUTONOMOUS SOLUTIONS

The next relevant steps

The intended strategic alliance between the Volvo Group and Isuzu Motors will include some relevant steps, such as the following: forming a technology partnership, which will leverage the parties’ complementary areas of expertise within both well-known and new technologies as well as to create a larger volume base to support necessary, forthcoming technology investments; creating the best long-term conditions for a stronger heavy-duty truck business for UD Trucks and Isuzu Motors in Japan and across international markets and exploring opportunities for even broader and deeper collaboration within the commercial vehicle business across geographical areas and product lines, such as light- and medium-duty trucks.

Signing of binding agreements is expected by mid-2020 and closing of the transaction is expected by the end of 2020. We will keep you up-to-date about the next steps.