THIS year’s Japan Mobility Show 2025 (JMS) overall concept was ‘A unique opportunity to explore mobility’s future.’ The organizer, the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, claims that the key visual designed for the show is premised on the notion of people coming together to explore a multiplicity of pathways to creating the future.
For Isuzu Motors Limited, it was the perfect opportunity and timing to showcase the brand’s latest sustainable, tech-advanced, and prototype commercial vehicles, conveying their critical significance in the future of mobility. Moreover, the major truck manufacturer has forged a partnership with another truck builder to establish an essential vision and program.
Isuzu Group
No less than Isuzu Motors Limited President and COO Shinsuke Minami and UD Trucks Corporation President and CEO Koichi Ito presented the two brands’ collaboration, known as the Isuzu Group, which featured both Isuzu and UD Trucks brands, showcasing their respective diverse mobility solutions and the limitless possibilities envisioned by the two companies.
Isuzu Group’s theme was ‘Move the World, Envision a Colorful Future.’ In line with the group’s purpose of Moving the World – for You, the booth aims to convey the true power of transport by also incorporating the spirit of the show’s overall concept in providing ‘A unique opportunity to explore mobility’s future.’
VCCC (Vertical Core Cycle Concept)
Taking center stage was the VCCC prototype. As the world enters a new era of transportation, Isuzu believes that systems that can efficiently circulate people and goods to the right place at the right time will become commonplace. From this perspective, the Isuzu Group conceived a vehicle with an innovative vertical frame known as the ‘Vertical Core.’
The Vertical Core is a shared platform compatible with a wide range of configurations, making it accessible to businesses, individuals, and local communities alike. It utilizes a modular concept that enables vehicles to be rearranged into units consisting of key components, allowing for highly flexible and efficient operation.
This evolved form of transport offers new levels of freedom for users and supports a lifestyle that enhances the well-being of society.
Multi-fuel Engine
For commercial vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality, Isuzu believes a multi-pathway approach is essential, as vehicle sizes and applications vary widely.
The multi-fuel engine shares key components, such as the cylinder block and crankshaft, with conventional diesel engines. By simply modifying systems like the ignition and fuel injection depending on the fuel type, the engine can accommodate not only diesel but also CN-compatible fuels such as natural gas, hydrogen, biofuels, and synthetic fuels.
In addition to electrification, Isuzu is proposing a next-generation internal combustion engine that offers both ease of implementation and cost efficiency in the pursuit of CN.
ERGA EV Autonomous Driving Bus
Currently under development, this autonomous route bus is based on Japan’s first BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) full-flat-floor route bus, ERGA EV. It features safe and stable autonomous driving through advanced vehicle-integrated control technology. The system coordinates multiple components and recognizes its surroundings using various types of sensors, including cameras, LiDAR, and millimeter-wave radar.
Its overall length is 10,740 mm with a width of 2,485 mm, a height of 3,330 mm, and a wheelbase of 4,990 mm. Its motor type is AC induction, producing 250 kW (125 × 2) and 960 N-m of torque (480 × 2). The battery type is Lithium-ion with a 242 kWh (internal reference value) rated capacity. The total capacity is 68 passengers (20 seats, including the driver’s seat).
ELF EV Garbage Truck
This truck is based on the light-duty ELF EV, with a focus on achieving carbon neutrality. It features Isuzu’s proprietary electric PTO (Power Take-Off) unit, which supplies power from the vehicle’s power source, such as the engine or battery, to auxiliary equipment. With no difference in performance compared to conventional diesel vehicles, this truck offers quiet operation, a unique characteristic of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and significantly reduces CO2 emissions, thereby contributing to cleaner urban environments.
The New Giga has arrived
Giga is a heavy-duty truck with a newly designed cab exterior, which was revamped for the first time in nearly a decade. Under the theme ‘The Ultimate,’ the truck expresses a presence befitting a flagship model that is both smart and dynamic. The grille design adopts the ‘World Cross Flow’ brand identity motif, reinforcing family unity with the ‘Elf’ light-duty and ‘Forward’ medium-duty trucks.
Safety features have been significantly enhanced. The Pre-Crash Brake (PCB) activates when the risk of collision with pedestrians crossing an intersection increases during turns. The Left-turn entrapment prevention braking activates when the risk of collision with bicycles traveling in the same direction on the left side of the vehicle increases while turning left at an intersection. The brakes are activated to mitigate the damage of side collisions. Lastly, the wheel detachment early-warning detection system detects abnormalities when wheel nuts begin to loosen, alerting the driver with a warning message and buzzer before a wheel separation occurs, thereby helping to prevent accidents.
Also on display is Isuzu’s unique low-floor, three-axle truck with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 25 tons, currently the only one of its kind offered in Japan. With its high payload capacity and spacious cargo area, it can move more with every trip, contributing to more efficient logistics.
D-MAX display debut
Interestingly, the brand’s popular mid-sized pickup truck had its JMS display debut. Although not available for sale in Japan, the latest model displayed drew the attention of local visitors. Since its launch in May 2002, approximately 5.3 million units have been sold across 120 countries and regions. In April of this year, the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) pickup truck, D-MAX EV, was added to the lineup.
UD Trucks on display
First is the Quon GW 6×4. Powered by the GH13 engine (523 hp/2,601 Nm of torque), this heavy-duty truck delivers robust and resilient performance, making it ideal for transporting heavy loads. Equipped with the 12-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission ESCOT-VII and the driver-assist feature UD Active Steering, it offers exceptional driving performance while reducing driver fatigue. In addition to full-wheel disc brakes, the high-capacity hydraulic retarder provides outstanding braking power for stable and reliable stopping performance.
Another model is the Quester (2026 model). This heavy-duty truck is designed specifically for emerging markets and complies with the European Union’s Euro 6 emissions regulations. It features an 11-liter engine and an advanced 12-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, ESCOT-E, which contributes to improved vehicle uptime, enhanced fuel efficiency, optimized total cost of ownership (TCO), and reduced environmental impact.