The pursuit of Ultimate Dependability

To meet the development of the logistics system which economy, society and living rest on, we reach for the ultimate truck, a truck with high durability and less trouble, a truck with high payload and superior fuel efficiency. This was the vision of our founder over 80 years ago, and it is still our vision today.

Watch UD 80th Anniversary video on YouTube >

The DNA coursing through UD Trucks

Development of the ND1 engine and LD1 truck was the realization of a dream for Kenzo Adachi. Through the production of its first engines and trucks, UD Trucks learned several key requirements to ensure transportation capacity that could support society, industry and lifestyles and thus  the birth of his philosophy “To make the trucks the world needs today.”

Adachi’s development ethos has been passed down to the present day as the DNA of UD Trucks.

  • Make it durable
    Boost the quality of each and every part and build a long-lasting truck that can handle even the toughest roads.
     
  • Contribute to a reduction in vehicle-related costs for users
    Minimize the consumption of fuel and lubricant and make vehicles that are easy to maintain.
     
  • Produce a truck that never breaks down
    Employ a simple structure and continue improving parts that have the potential to cause a problem.
     
  • Enable decent carrying capacity
    Make trucks with excellent traction that can stably transport a variety of different cargo and in large quantity.

Over the generations we have carried out our founder’s vision to provide the trucks and services the world needs today in different eras. Find out more about these milestones in our proud history here.

 

1935 Foundation – the vision of Kenzo Adachi 
1939  The legendary test drive – 3,000km to prove ultimate dependability 
1955 UD engine – the iconic engine that gave name to our company
1958 6TW – Japan’s strongest truck in the era of high growth 
1975 Condor – the medium duty truck answering the need for fuel efficiency 
1990 Big Thumb – efficiency and safety for a new era 
2004 Quon – birth of a flagship with the world’s first SCR solution 
2013 Quester – made to go the extra mile in growth markets 
2017 Croner – medium-duty truck that make every moment count 
2017 New Quon – innovation that puts people first 
1995-present ESCOT – evolution of the Easy Safe Controlled Transmission