Smart mobility and sustainability are becoming increasingly important considerations in the transportation industry. Companies are looking for ways to incorporate new technologies into their transportation solutions to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and promote sustainable practices as new technologies emerge. Intermobility caught up with UD Trucks representative to learn more about the company's approach to smart mobility, sustainability initiatives, and plans for the future of fleet transportation.

Can you describe UD Trucks' approach to smart mobility, and how the company is working to integrate emerging technologies into its transportation solutions?

We are committed to smart mobility and is actively working to integrate emerging technologies into its transportation solutions. The company's approach is based on three key principles: safety, sustainability, and efficiency. To achieve these goals, UD Trucks is investing in a range of emerging technologies, including electric and autonomous vehicles, connected systems, and data analytics.

UD Trucks is leveraging data analytics to optimize its transportation solutions. The company has developed a suite of telematics solutions, UD Telematics and Connected Services, which provide real-time data on vehicle performance, driver behaviour, and other key metrics. This data enables UD Trucks to optimize routes, reduce fuel consumption, and improve safety, ultimately leading to more efficient and sustainable transportation solutions.

How does UD Trucks support fleet management, and what initiatives has the company undertaken to promote more efficient and sustainable use of commercial vehicles?

UD Trucks provides a range of solutions to support fleet management, including telematics systems, driver training programs, and maintenance and repair services. The company's telematics system, UD Telematics, enables fleet managers to monitor and optimize vehicle performance, driver behaviour, and other key metrics in real-time. UD Trucks also offers driver training programs, which are designed to help drivers operate vehicles more safely and efficiently. By improving driver skills, UD Trucks can help fleet operators reduce fuel consumption, minimize vehicle wear and tear, and improve safety on the road.

UD Trucks is committed to providing innovative solutions that help fleet operators manage their vehicles more effectively and promote more efficient and sustainable use of commercial vehicles.

How does UD Trucks work with its customers to promote sustainable transportation solutions, and what role do these partnerships play in shaping the company's approach to transportation?

Our team work closely with its customers to promote sustainable transportation solutions. The company understands that sustainable transportation is not only good for the environment but also essential for the economic growth and social development of communities. To promote sustainable transportation, UD Trucks works with its customers to identify their specific needs and provides them with tailor-made solutions that help them reduce their environmental footprint while improving their operational efficiency, offering sustainable profitability.

UD Trucks collaborates with industry giants such as Allison Transmission, developing focused solutions to various applications such as waste management and regional distribution. The company recently held a joint event, showcasing the Croner range and its versatility in various segments.

How do you see the future of fleet transportation evolving in the next 5-10 years, and how is UD Trucks positioning itself to be a leader in this space?

UD Trucks announced the launch of “Fujin & Raijin. Vision 2030.”— an Innovation Roadmap which aims to deliver a variety of solutions for Smart Logistics, including fully-electric and autonomous trucks towards 2030. The roadmap focuses on the key areas of automation and electromobility to address the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

By 2030, demand for parcel delivery is expected to grow 50% compared to 2014. To meet this demand, the logistics industry faces significant challenges, including a responsibility to reduce CO2 emissions, the growing scale of online commerce, and driver shortages. UD Trucks believes that transformative innovations in automation and electromobility are key to overcoming these challenges and providing customers with the trucks that fit their needs.

UD Trucks is conducting autonomous driving trials at Kobe Steel’s Kakogawa Works, Japan, using a heavy-duty truck equipped with L4 autonomous driving technology. The initiative is intended to alleviate a driver shortage at the steelworks site and to promote digital transformation at manufacturing and logistics sites.