UD Trucks - 50 years in Australia and counting

Press release | June 04, 2023
Kenzo Adachi, Founding Father of UD Trucks

With 2023 marking 50 years since UD Trucks reached Australian shores, UD reflects on its decades of progress and innovation, and now looks ahead to the next 50 years and beyond. And UD showed no sign of slowing down at this year’s Brisbane Truck Show, after launching innovative new products and features in and around the show.

From UD’s founding father, Kenzo Adachi-san’s pursuit of Ultimate Dependability more than 85 years ago in Japan, it’s extremely humbling for the brand to see its vision and mission remain as strong as ever in Australia since 1973 and UD’s continued commitment to going the extra mile to achieve better life for our people and the planet.

Over the decades UD has proven time and time again that innovation is at the core of what it does, using industry challenges as motivation to develop, create and innovate.

The UD CK40 was the first model to hit Australia’s roads in 1973, and the decades to follow would see countless innovations including, among others, the release of its ESCOT AMT (Automatic Manual Transmission) that became the benchmark for the heavy-duty industry at that time, the world’s first commercialised radar laser collision prevention system, and the world’s first selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system– a technology that revolutionised the industry’s emission reduction journey.

“Our latest products that have been launched here in Australia, and on display in and around the Brisbane Truck Show last month, was a clear sign that UD’s incredibly strong history and drive to innovate is continuing,” says Lauren Pulitano, Vice President of UD Trucks Australia.

“Not only did we have our new 8L Quon Agitator with ESCOT AMT on the stand, but we also launched our new advanced safety features and an enhanced 11L engine.”

Down at the South Bank Truck Festival during the Show, people also got to witness the new Quon CG 8x4 16 pallet extra-long wheelbase vehicle on display with an eye-catching curtain artwork.

The UD brand also engaged in a take over of King George Square in Brisbane CBD, where it showcased a head turning brand activation to celebrate its 50 year milestone. This activation stopped people in their tracks with a striking 3D style artwork on display that visually captured the rich history and innovations of UD over the decades.   

“We are so proud to be celebrating our 50 years here in Australia this year, and to have done so at the Brisbane Truck Show. We would like to extend our gratitude to all of our customers, dealers and partners for supporting us on this journey, and we thank them for making 50 years in Australia possible,” said Lauren.

“It is an incredibly exciting time be leading a brand here in Australia that has an ambition not to just make better products for our industry, but to make the industry better through its products,” concluded Lauren.