2014 marks the 75th anniversary of the very first open-road test drive for UD Trucks by its founder, Kenzo Adachi. Since establishment in 1935, UD Trucks has embraced an entrepreneur mentality, providing solutions to issues in both society and the transportation industry. With a reenactment of the 3,000km test drive using both Japan’s very historic10 ton truck, the 6TW, and the brand new Quon, UD Trucks will commemorate its extensive accomplishments and history, giving the next generation of drivers the essence of the company’s entrepreneurial spirit. A departure ceremony was held at Ageo Plant at 12pm on November 10.
Since UD Trucks’ first test drive 75 years ago, the company has been committed to answering to the various challenges in the transportation industry, providing solutions and introducing new technology, contributing to economic growth in Japan. Japan is currently dealing with driver-shortage and driver-aging issues. UD Trucks is committed to working closely with industry, government and academia to contribute to Japan’s economic growth through cultivating the transportation industry.
With the renewal of the flagship heavy-duty truck “Quon” and its increased payload, UD Trucks is able to increase transportation efficiency for its customers. By promoting the “Escot V” transmission, “Quon” offers better fuel efficiency and drivability, providing an easier, more comfortable driving experience aimed at young and aging drivers and female drivers as well. UD Trucks will not only focus on product innovation. Through public relations activities, UD Trucks is dedicated to finding a solution to talent-shortage issues in the transportation industry. As a step towards completing this objective, survey results of about 300 truck drivers around Japan were announced on November 5.
The journey chronicling the first ever UD Trucks test drive has begun in Fukushima prefecture, where the truck arrived on November 11. Following arrival in Fukushima, the truck will go on to stop at Niigata, Gunma, Nagano, Gifu, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Aichi, Shizuoka and Kanagawa prefectures, returning to Ageo on November 20. During the journey, a 6TW demonstration and Quon test drive event will be held at Fukushima, Nagano, Nagoya and Sagamihara in order to exhibit the company’s rich history. In lieu of UD Trucks’ dedication to passing on the entrepreneurial spirit to the next generation, local students from industrial colleges will be taking part in the events.
At the departure ceremony event, CEO of UD Trucks Yusuke Sakaue commented that, “We developed the first diesel engine in 1939. In order to prove its reliability and endurance, Kenzo Adachi decided to do the test drive himself around Japan. We want our employees to have this same aggressive, entrepreneurial mindset moving forward, as our leader had in 1939.”
Departure ceremony
6TW
