In Japan’s commercial vehicle industry, HINO holds a pivotal market position and is one of the country’s three major truck manufacturers. As a local leading enterprise, HINO has long been at the forefront of technological advancement in Japan’s commercial vehicle sector. Today, HINO has merged with Mitsubishi Fuso; in the future, the two will jointly conduct R&D and manufacturing to further meet market demands in Japan and Asia.
On October 30, the 2025 Japan Mobility Show (JMS 2025) kicked off at the Tokyo International Exhibition Center. As Japan’s largest mobility exhibition, it serves as a bellwether for Japanese and many Asian enterprises to showcase their technologies and concepts. The Truckplus editorial team arrived at the exhibition site promptly to bring you an immersive experience of global industry trends! Next, let’s take a look at the new products HINO brought to this year’s show.
The cute, round-shaped product in the picture above is HINO’s newly launched concept car. Named “ポンチョドット” (Poncho Dot in English, roughly meaning “Polka Dot Poncho” in Chinese), it is based on HINO’s Dutro Z EV pure electric model and aims to solve local mobility challenges in Japan.
With its compact body size, the Poncho Dot is easier to drive and adaptable to the narrow urban streets of Japan. Tailored to local mobility needs, it can be used for both cargo and passenger transport, covering scenarios such as shopping, public transportation, and logistics. HINO officially stated that the vehicle is equipped with advanced autonomous driving technology; however, no sensors are visible on the body, which raises questions about this claim.
The interior of the HINO Poncho Dot features opposite-facing foldable seats, arranged similarly to those in subways, to meet passenger transport needs. When used for cargo transport, simply folding and stowing the seats creates a spacious loading space.
- The roomy space also accommodates passengers with special needs, such as those using wheelchairs or strollers.
- There is no partition between the driver’s area and the rear cabin, facilitating communication.
Although HINO has now merged with Mitsubishi Fuso, its roots remain tied to Toyota. At this year’s JMS, HINO showcased a hydrogen fuel cell cargo truck: the Profia Z FCV. Equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell system provided by Toyota, it contributes to the realization of a carbon-neutral hydrogen energy society and is Japan’s first mass-produced model that combines the practicality required for heavy-duty trucks with environmental performance.
The hydrogen storage tanks adopt a “piggyback” design, installed between the cab and the cargo compartment, with side panels for concealment. The vehicle is equipped with 6 hydrogen storage tanks, with a total hydrogen storage capacity of 50 kg. Hydrogen refueling takes approximately 15 to 30 minutes, and the comprehensive range reaches 650 km. The technology of this system shares the same origin as that of Toyota’s Mirai hydrogen fuel cell sedan.
This Profia Z FCV hydrogen fuel cell heavy truck is also HINO’s L4 Concept autonomous driving concept vehicle, aiming to achieve “zero traffic accident deaths and injuries.” Its concept is to “realize a driving experience equivalent to L4-level autonomous driving on highways”; to this end, it is equipped with higher-performance radars and new sensors, such as cameras and lidar.
At the exhibition site, HINO brought its new-generation Selega luxury bus. First launched in 1990 and redesigned in 2005, the Selega now enters its third generation—marking its first exterior facelift in 20 years. It is scheduled to be officially launched in the spring of 2026.
The bus features a layered, rounded and streamlined exterior design, presenting a smooth and emotional shape while improving aerodynamic performance. In terms of power, it retains the A09C series engine but replaces the transmission with a 12-speed AMT gearbox. The Tijia editorial team conducted a detailed on-site shoot of this model, and an in-depth interpretation article will be released later!
HINO also showcased the new Dutro Z EV model at the event. As a small pure electric truck, it is developed based on the Dutro series light trucks. The first-generation model was launched in June 2022, and over 1,600 units have been sold to date. It is widely used for last-mile transportation, such as cargo delivery, combining ease of use with carbon neutrality. While maintaining ease of use, the new model adopts an ultra-low floor and a through-type design to reduce the driver’s workload. Additionally, compared to the previous generation, it has an increased battery capacity and extended range, and is expected to be launched in the summer of 2026.
The exhibited vehicle is mainly designed for express delivery, equipped with a box-type body where shelves and other facilities can be installed inside. Its compact overall width allows it to be driven with an ordinary driver’s license. Nevertheless, the vehicle’s cargo space still reaches approximately 8 cubic meters, making it ideal for express transportation.
The cargo compartment and cab adopt a through-type design, allowing the driver to walk directly from the cab into the cargo compartment to pick up goods—eliminating the cumbersome process of getting off, opening the door, and getting back on. This reduces work intensity and improves efficiency.
HINO also displayed its new-generation Ranger series medium-duty truck at the show. The new Ranger will retain the QDR (Quality, Durability, Reliability) of the previous generation and be equipped with the latest safety features to support safer and more reliable driving. No further details about the new model have been released; for reference, the current Ranger uses the A05C series engine (with horsepower ranging from 240 to 260) and is paired with a ProShift 6-speed or 7-speed gearbox.
HINO is the first Japanese truck manufacturer to participate in the Dakar Rally. Since its first participation in 1991, HINO has successfully completed the race for 34 consecutive years. At this year’s JMS, HINO brought the actual 2019 Dakar Rally truck to the site. Modified based on the HINO Ranger series medium-duty truck, it features a raised body and various reinforced configurations, exuding a rugged appeal. Visitors can experience riding in it and take photos to feel the powerful performance of this “desert monster.”
- Its ultra-high body, shiny chassis guards, and additional configurations such as spotlights and roll cages all highlight its uniqueness.
In the outdoor area, HINO also held a dynamic demonstration of the 2018 Dakar Rally truck—one of the few opportunities in Japan to see it in action.
In the outdoor exhibition area, HINO also presented a mobile office built based on the Dutro Z EV pure electric light truck. It makes full use of the unique low-platform body design of electric light trucks: it is compact enough to be driven with an ordinary driver’s license, while its internal height is sufficient for easy movement between the front and rear cabins. The vehicle has flexible uses, such as serving as an on-site control room for outdoor activities or an emergency command center in case of disasters, making it highly practical.
As one of Japan’s top commercial vehicle manufacturers, HINO brought a wealth of new products to this year’s Japan Mobility Show. These include both updated “old favorites” and new models, further solidifying HINO’s leading market position in Japan. Today, HINO has merged with Mitsubishi Fuso to form a new company, Archion—this is bound to bring significant changes to its product lineup. Until then, let’s look forward to it! Thank you for reading this article! More on-site coverage of the Japan Mobility Show is coming up. Don’t want to miss the latest global industry trends? Be sure to follow us!
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