The Volvo Group's Japanese truck company Nissan Diesel Motor Company Ltd is being renamed UD Trucks Corporation. In conjunction with the name change, the Nissan Diesel brand will also be changed to UD Trucks and a new logotype will be developed. The designation “UD” stands for ”Ultimate Dependability” and is also the brand under which Nissan Diesel trucks were formerly sold.
This change of name and the new brand become effective from February 1.
Nissan Diesel is a market leader in Japan in terms of fuel efficiency, an achievement that has benefited the company after Japan's introduction of an environmental discount for fuel-efficient trucks. This discount, combined with Nissan Diesel's range of fuel-efficient trucks, has resulted in increased market shares. In 2009, the company had about a quarter of the Japanese market for heavy trucks.
Through the joint venture with Chinese Dongfeng Motor Corp, DND, Nissan Diesel also has established production and sales of heavy trucks in the Chinese market.
Nissan Diesel was formed in 1935 under the name Nihon Diesel Industries. The firm's business has developed under the name Nissan Diesel using UD as the product brand.