Chigasaki, Japan, May 1, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - ULVAC, Inc. anticipates that orders for its continuous vacuum melting furnaces dedicated to rare-earth magnets will approximately triple year on year, driven primarily by magnet manufacturers in Europe and North America. In response to this growth in orders, ULVAC has decided to establish a new production system for these furnaces in Japan. By adding a production site in Japan to its existing facility in China, ULVAC will build a dual-site supply structure, providing customers with diversified supply options.

Background

Rare-earth magnets are essential core components used in advanced equipment across a wide range of industries, including electric vehicles, wind power generation, HVAC systems, data centers, and space applications. While global demand is expected to continue expanding, driven by decarbonization and the proliferation of AI, near-shoring—the relocation of production closer to end markets—is accelerating, particularly in Europe and North America, as global supply chains remain heavily dependent on China.

ULVAC has long manufactured rare-earth magnet vacuum melting furnaces through its Chinese subsidiary, providing dedicated service to the market for many years. This facility will continue to serve as a key production site for stable supply to customers in the Chinese market. Meanwhile, growing demand from new magnet manufacturers, primarily in Europe and North America, has increased calls for a geographically diversified supply structure. To ensure stable equipment supply in response to this expanding global demand, ULVAC has decided to establish a new production system in Japan.

Overview of Japan-Based Production

ULVAC's Strengths

Since its founding in 1952, ULVAC has been developing Japan-produced vacuum melting and deposition equipment, accumulating approximately 70 years of technological expertise. The Company is one of the few equipment manufacturers in the world offering a comprehensive lineup covering the key vacuum processes in rare-earth magnet manufacturing, including melting, sintering, and aging. ULVAC holds a market share exceeding 70%^* in each of its continuous furnace product lines for these major processes. The continuous vacuum melting furnace, for which the Japan-based production system is being established, handles the melting and casting process—the starting point of magnet material production. The alloy microstructure formed at this stage has a decisive impact on final magnet performance. With a cumulative delivery record of over 400 units, ULVAC's advanced production engineering capabilities essential to the magnet manufacturing process have been highly regarded by leading global magnet manufacturers over many years.

^*Based on our research

Future Outlook

As new entrants continue to emerge in the rare-earth magnet market, customer needs are shifting beyond standalone equipment supply toward comprehensive mass-production line start-up support. ULVAC will further strengthen the stable supply of its manufacturing equipment for rare-earth magnets, including vacuum melting furnaces.

Simultaneously, ULVAC will expand its scope to provide total optimization of mass-production lines, aiming to become an integrated engineering company specializing in magnet production technologies.

About ULVAC, Inc.

Since its founding in 1952, ULVAC, Inc. has been a comprehensive vacuum equipment manufacturer, providing manufacturing equipment, components, analytical instruments, materials, and services based on its core vacuum technology. Working with customers across a wide range of industries, including semiconductors, electronic components, displays, automotive, and pharmaceuticals, ULVAC is committed to driving cutting-edge innovation and creating new value.　https://www.ulvac.co.jp/en/

For more information:
ULVAC, Inc. Strategic Planning Department
Inquiry Form: https://www.ulvac.co.jp/en/contact/general.html 

TOKYO, Apr 16, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Isuzu Motors Limited (headquartered in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; hereinafter "Isuzu") and Toyota Motor Corporation (headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan; hereinafter "Toyota") have agreed to collaborate on the development toward the mass production of a next-generation light-duty fuel cell (FC) electric truck. This vehicle is based on Isuzu's "ELF EV" BEV*1 light-duty truck and combines Toyota's new fuel cell system (3rd-generation FC system); both companies will jointly develop the system to ensure its compatibility, and aiming to start production in FY2027, both companies will further advance technologies capable of supporting the high-utilization operating conditions unique to commercial vehicles, based on its multi-pathway approach to powertrains, while helping build a hydrogen society and carbon neutral logistics sector.

Light-duty trucks are often used for deliveries to supermarkets, convenience stores, and other services that support everyday life. In many cases, these vehicles are equipped with refrigeration or frozen storage capabilities and make multiple deliveries per day, requiring long operating hours and being driven long distances. Under such operating conditions, quick energy replenishment is essential to maintaining operational efficiency.

For such high-utilization applications, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)*2 which use hydrogen as a high-energy-density fuel, represent an effective option. Compared to BEVs, which face the challenge of long charging times, FCEVs can significantly reduce refueling time. Furthermore, because they offer a long driving range per refueling, they are well-suited for harsh operating environments. Furthermore, like BEVs, FCEVs produce little vibration or noise and emit no CO2 while in use, thereby contributing to reduced environmental impact.

The new vehicle will be based on the ELF EV, launched in 2023 and designed using I-MACS*3, Isuzu's product development platform. It adopts Toyota's next-generation fuel cell stack, enhancing vehicle durability and extending its service life. One of the challenges to the widespread adoption of FCEVs is the high vehicle price point. Isuzu is working to reduce costs by optimizing the vehicle body structure and reviewing manufacturing processes. Meanwhile, Toyota is undertaking similar efforts through innovations in fuel cell design and manufacturing processes.

In addition, by leveraging the technologies, expertise, and insights gained through the joint development of the next-generation fuel cell route bus "ERGA FCV", as well as the results of the FC light-duty truck social implementation project conducted by Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation, the two companies will advance the sophistication of control technologies and system improvements to enhance fuel cell durability, achieving the high levels of reliability and practicality required of commercial vehicles.

As initiatives to expand hydrogen utilization advance at the national and local government levels, the two companies are working with local governments and businesses in each region to support the wider adoption of hydrogen mobility. Isuzu will broaden the options for hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles by putting Japan's strengths in FC technology into practical use, and will steadily advance efforts toward building a hydrogen society. Toyota positions hydrogen as an important energy source and is advancing various initiatives in producing, transporting, storing, and using hydrogen in collaboration with a wide range of partners across industries. Going forward, Toyota will continue to accelerate efforts to expand the use of hydrogen and contribute to the realization of a hydrogen society.

*1 Battery Electric Vehicle
*2 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
*3 Abbreviation for Isuzu Modular Architecture and Component Standard. A development approach that enables the flexible combination of components and devices to meet diverse needs, applied in anticipation of future advancement in technologies and the expansion of vehicle types in the future.

"Achieving zero, and adding new value beyond it"

As part of efforts to pass our beautiful "Home Planet" to the next generation, Toyota has identified and is helping to solve issues faced by individuals and overall society, which Toyota calls "Achieving Zero," hoping to help reduce the negative impacts caused by these issues to people and the environment to zero. Additionally, Toyota is also looking "Beyond Zero" to create and provide greater value by continuing to diligently seek ways to improve lives and society for the future.

About Beyond Zero: https://global.toyota/en/mobility/beyond-zero/

Toyota Motor Corporation works to develop and manufacture innovative, safe and high-quality products and services that create happiness by providing mobility for all. We believe that true achievement comes from supporting our customers, partners, employees, and the communities in which we operate. Since our founding over 80 years ago in 1937, we have applied our Guiding Principles in pursuit of a safer, greener and more inclusive society. Today, as we transform into a mobility company developing connected, automated, shared and electrified technologies, we also remain true to our Guiding Principles and many of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to help realize an ever-better world, where everyone is free to move.

SDGs Initiatives: https://global.toyota/en/sustainability/sdgs/

TOKYO, Japan, Apr 16, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) will begin sales in Japan tomorrow (April 17, 2026) of the all-new Honda Insight, a new EV passenger model.

All-new Insight product website: https://www.honda.co.jp/INSIGHT/（Japanese）

All-new Insight

The all-new Insight was developed as an EV with a distinctive character, which commands a strong presence and offers exceptional customer comfort. Its exterior styling is instantly recognizable for its unique character and features a sharp, yet flowing form that evokes a sense of powerful and dynamic driving performance, intending to draw attention naturally on the street in urban areas.

The cabin features a package and interior design that ensures a comfortable and relaxing ride not only for the driver but also for all passengers, offering a high-quality and valuable space realized by a wide range of comfort features.  Moreover, without compromising the joy of driving and sporty driving performance unique to Honda, the all-new Insight realizes a range per charge of 535 km (332 miles) in the WLTC mode*1, offering a sufficient range for a wide variety of everyday driving situations, from daily commuting and shopping to weekend drives.

Since the introduction of the first-generation model in 1999, as the first mass-production hybrid model of Honda, Insight pioneered a new era of hybrid vehicles. This fourth-generation, all-new Insight will carry forward the spirit of the previous generation models and offer the new value of an EV as a newly-developed crossover SUV EV. 

*1 WLTC (Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Cycles) mode is a driving test mode consisting of city, suburban and highway driving modes, with time allocated according to average use time.

Sales plans:

Available in a limited quantity of 3,000 units.

Key features of the all-new Insight

Design

The exterior styling features the distinctive body frame of a crossover SUV and edgy design, which creates a strong sense of forward thrust as if the entire mass of the vehicle is being pushed forward, to express a futuristic form for the all-new Insight. 

The interior design features a form that creates a feeling of enclosure and occupant comfort, with a rounded design that emphasizes continuity throughout the cabin space. The use of high-quality, soft-padded materials and the placement of LED ambient lighting along the contours of the instrument panel and doors contributes to the creation of a high-quality and seamlessly integrated interior space comfortable for all occupants.  

Packaging

The packaging was also developed with a goal to create a comfortable space for all occupants regardless of seating position. For the driver and the front passenger, excellent forward visibility was secured by elevating the eye point. In combination with meters that simplify and organize necessary information, the Head-Up Display serves as the primary information source for the driver, which reduces the need to look away from the road and enables the driver to drive with greater peace of mind. 

Moreover, a center console design that does not separate the driver and front passenger seats, enabling a walk-through between the front seats. For the rear seats, generous legroom has been secured, along with a reclining function, creating a comfortable space for all passengers even during a long drive.

The all-new Insight also features a large-capacity cargo area convenient for a wide range of driving situations, ranging from everyday use to weekend leisure activities. In addition, the luggage board that allows the cargo floor to be set at upper and lower positions and the fold-down rear seatback further enhance the usability of the cargo area.

Interior comfort features

- Intelligent Heating System
The Intelligent Heating System, which enables coordinated operation of the heating units for the seats, steering wheel, as well as each interior heating unit, has an “AUTO Mode” that automatically detects the presence of rear-seat occupants and optimizes HVAC output and power consumption. Moreover, by newly incorporating radiant heater panels, the system achieves heating that is more energy efficient, quieter, and reduces dryness compared to a conventional forced-air heater.

- Aroma diffuser
The all-new Insight features an aroma diffuser that can disperse fragrance throughout the cabin when the air conditioning unit is in operation. Six fragrance cartridge options are available for selection, and up to three cartridges can be installed in the vehicle at the same time. The customer can select a fragrance via the display audio screen and enhance emotional comfort to turn their time spent in the vehicle into a more pleasant experience. The fragrance that fills the cabin contributes to the value this relaxing and high-quality space will offer to occupants.

- Ambient lighting
The all-new Insight features an ambient lighting system that enhances the in-cabin experience through lighting effects. By linking lighting control with door operation and HVAC temperature setting, the system delivers a high-quality cabin space that offers intuitive understanding and comfort to the occupants.

- BOSE Premium Sound System
Twelve BOSE*2 speakers designed exclusively for this model are optimally positioned throughout the cabin to create a natural and immersive soundstage for all occupants regardless of seating position. 

*2 Bose is a trademark of Bose Corporation based in the U.S.

Dynamics

The development team pursued both excellent handling that responds faithfully to driver inputs and a high-quality and comfortable ride for all occupants.  Leveraging a smooth and quiet driving feel unique to EVs, the all-new Insight delivers stable driving performance and natural handling that makes this vehicle easy for anyone to drive. As a result, it offers dynamic performance that enables customers to enjoy the vehicle with peace of mind for a wide range of driving situations from everyday driving to long-distance drives.

Moreover, the all-new Insight offers four drive mode options — Normal, Sport, Econ and Snow — enabling the driver to select optimal driving characteristics according to the driving conditions and their preferred driving style. In Sport mode, an Active Sound Control (ASC) system can be engaged to further enhance the joy of driving. The ASC system not only emphasizes the feeling of acceleration by producing smooth and expansive “virtual” engine sounds, but also realizes a sense of consistency throughout the entire drive by controlling the sounds during deceleration. By integrating sound effects and driving performance, the system achieves a balance between quietness and driving pleasure, offering the joy of driving unique to Honda. 

Power unit

The all-new Insight is equipped with a high-power, high-torque, compact drive unit and a large-capacity, yet thin battery. In combination with a thermal management system that maintains the battery at an optimal temperature, the power unit demonstrates stable performance across a wide range of driving conditions. The all-new Insight realizes a range per charge of 535 km (332 miles) in WLTC mode, and a charging time of approximately 40 minutes*3 with fast charging, reducing the stress of waiting for a charge.

Furthermore, with the use of the Honda Power Supply Connector*4, an external AC power output device, the all-new Insight can output electricity of up to 1,500W, which can be utilized for outdoor activities away from home. 

*3 Approximate time for the battery to reach an 80% charge from the time the low charge warning light comes on using a fast charger with output of more than 50kW (Charging time may be longer especially in summer and winter).
*4 Dealer option

Honda SENSING

The all-new Insight comes standard with Honda SENSING advanced safety and driver-assistive functions*5, offering natural control that ensures comfort and peace of mind for all occupants. 

List of Honda SENSING functions available for the all-new Insight
1)Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS)
2)Collision Mitigation Throttle Control*6
3)Rear Collision Mitigation Throttle Control*6
4)Low Speed Brake Function*6
5)Pedestrian Collision Mitigation Steering System
6)Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) System
7)Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low Speed Follow
8)Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS)
9)Traffic Jam Assist
10)Lead Car Departure Notification System
11)Traffic Sign Recognition
12)Auto High Beam Headlights
13)Blind Spot Information System
14)Honda Parking Pilot
15)Parking Sensor System

*5 Honda SENSING functions are intended to assist the driver: therefore, there is a limit to the capabilities (e.g. recognition capability and control capability) of the individual functions of Honda SENSING. Please do not overestimate the capabilities of any Honda SENSING function and drive safely while paying constant attention to your surroundings. For more information about Honda SENSING, please visit the Honda website: https://global.honda/en/tech/Safety_and_driver-assistive_technologies_Honda_SENSING/

*6 The three functions – Collision Mitigation Throttle Control, Rear Collision Mitigation Throttle Control and Low Speed Brake Function – are collectively called Low Speed Braking Control.

Honda ON Limited Edition

A limited number of the all-new Insight with white interior (only with the body colors of Diamond Dust Pearl and Crystal Black Pearl) will be available exclusively through Honda ON, Honda’s online store for new vehicle sales.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) in Japan

* Pricing does not include insurance premium, taxes (excluding consumption tax) and cost related to vehicle registrations.
* The prices above are manufacturer's suggested retail prices (including 10% consumption tax) and are for reference only. Sales prices are determined independently by each sales company. Please contact the sales company for details.
* Based on the automobile recycling law, separate recycling charge will be necessary. The recycling charge includes a recycling deposit (cost necessary to recycle shredder dust, air bags, chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) and information management cost) and fund management cost.

Body Colors 

- Diamond Dust Pearl*1
- Crystal Black Pearl
- Slate Gray Pearl*2
- Aqua Topaz Metallic II*2 (Honda original new color)
- Obsidian Blue Pearl

*1 There is an additional charge of 66,000 yen (60,000 yen excluding 10% consumption tax)
*2 There is an additional charge of 44,000 yen (40,000 yen excluding 10% consumption tax)

HONG KONG, Apr 14, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - The new energy vehicle industry represents the core direction of the global automotive industry transformation and upgrading, and serves as a key lever for achieving carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. Seres (9927.HK), as a leading luxury new energy vehicle enterprise in China, recently released its 2025 annual results. The data shows that in 2025, the Company achieved revenue of approximately RMB164.89 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 13.63%; net profit attributable to Shareholders of the listed company amounted to approximately RMB5.96 billion, realizing profitability for two consecutive years, delivering a remarkable performance amid the industry transformation wave.

In 2025, Seres achieved substantial growth in product sales, continuing to lead the premium new energy market. The Company’s premium brand, AITO, recorded cumulative annual deliveries exceeding 420,000 units, representing a significant year-on-year increase , becoming the top-selling Chinese luxury automotive brand in the domestic market and further consolidating its market position in the luxury new energy segment.

Among the brand’s models, the AITO M9 delivered over 110,000 units for the full year. Leveraging its outstanding product strength and intelligent experience, it ranked as the sales champion in the RMB500,000+ luxury car market for two consecutive years (2024 and 2025). The AITO M8 delivered over 150,000 units for the full year and has consistently held the top sales position in the RMB400,000+ vehicle segment since its launch, becoming a benchmark model in the large luxury SUV market. The AITO M7 delivered over 110,000 units for the full year, and with its precise market positioning and high cost-effectiveness, continued to gain market favor. These robust sales figures highlight Seres’ deep expertise and strong product competitiveness in the premium new energy sector, while also confirming the market’s high recognition of its product strength.

In 2025, Seres actively distributed dividends to reward its Shareholders, fulfilling its corporate responsibilities through concrete actions and sharing the fruits of development with its Shareholders. The Board of Directors proposed a final dividend for the year ended 31 December 2025 of RMB0.8 per share (pre-tax), representing a total proposed cash dividend of approximately RMB1.9 billion. This reflects the Company’s sound operational strength and high accountability to shareholders, and further strengthens investors’ confidence in the Company’s future development.

Continuous Increase in R&D Investment to Consolidate Foundation for Long-Term Development

In terms of R&D and innovation, Seres Group is committed to driving high-quality corporate development through technological innovation. In 2025, the Company continuously increased its R&D investment. During the reporting period, R&D expenditure reached RMB12.51 billion, up 77.4% year-on-year. Both the intensity and growth rate of R&D investment maintained industry-leading levels, providing sufficient support for technological innovation.

Meanwhile, Seres Group continued to expand its R&D team. As of the end of 2025, the number of R&D personnel reached 9,019, representing a year-on-year increase of 45.4%. The R&D team featured a younger and highly educated structure, injecting a steady stream of talent vitality for technological breakthroughs.

As of the end of 2025, the Company’s cumulative authorized patents reached 8,046, representing a significant increase from the previous year, covering core fields such as extended-range technology, intelligent driving and intelligent cockpit. Its core technological advantages continued to stand out, laying a solid foundation for product iteration and upgrading as well as the enhancement of market competitiveness.

Overall, in 2025, against the backdrop of the industry’s transformation from "scale expansion" to “high-quality development”, Seres Group achieved an all-round breakthrough with its well-established premium product matrix, leading technological innovation capabilities and sound operational strategies. Going forward, the Company will continue to uphold its original aspiration of technological innovation, increase investment in core technology R&D, continuously optimize its product matrix, and deeply cultivate the premium new energy vehicle market, so as to make greater contributions to the high-quality development of China’s new energy vehicle industry and China’s transition from a major automobile country to an automobile powerhouse.

TOKYO, Japan, Apr 1, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda) today announced that it has subscribed to new shares of Gachaco, Inc. (Gachaco) issued through a third-party allotment (“this transaction”), thereby making Gachaco a consolidated subsidiary of Honda.

Gachaco was established in April 2022 as a joint venture of five companies in Japan — Honda, ENEOS Holdings, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corporation and Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. — to provide a sharing service of standardized swappable batteries for electric motorcycles and to establish and maintain infrastructure for such sharing services.

Since October 2022, Gachaco has been installing Gachaco battery swapping stations primarily in Tokyo, where electric motorcycle users with a Gachaco membership can efficiently swap a depleted battery for a fully charged one whenever needed, without any waiting time for charging. The company has rolled out the service in urban areas of Tokyo, starting with corporate customers and, in January 2024, the service was expanded to individual customers as well. Gachaco has been building out its infrastructure to create an environment where anyone can use electric motorcycles without worrying about charging time and riding range. Currently, the company is expanding its network of Gachaco stations, primarily in Tokyo and Osaka, while also pursuing the establishment of a next-generation energy infrastructure that contributes to a decarbonized and circular society.

Honda is striving to achieve carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050, and one of the key initiatives toward this goal is the popularization of electric mobility products. In addition to expanding the lineup of electric models, Honda believes that it is important to build battery charging and supply networks so that people can use their electric motorcycles with peace of mind; therefore, Honda has been considering Gachaco as an important partner for realizing such a future. Going forward, in order to continue to enhance the usage environment for electric motorcycle products, Honda realized that a motorcycle manufacturer needs to take the lead in this initiative. Based on this reasoning, Honda has decided to acquire additional shares in Gachaco.

As a subsidiary of Honda, Gachaco will further accelerate its ongoing initiatives to build battery charging and supply networks and work to expand its battery sharing service for users of electric construction machinery and equipment powered by swappable batteries. In addition, Gachaco will work to offer rental and maintenance services for battery swapping stations to be installed on the premises of business facilities of corporate customers with large fleets of electric motorcycles. Through these initiatives, Honda will lead the growth of Gachaco business and establish an environment where more customers can use electric mobility products safely with complete peace of mind.

Overview of the transaction

About Gachaco

*ENEOS Holdings, Inc. has invested in Gachaco through its investment company, ENEOS Innovation Partners Godo Kaisha

Gachaco station

TOKYO, Mar 27, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501, “Hitachi”) and MUFG Bank, Ltd. (“MUFG Bank”), a consolidated subsidiary of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (TYO: 8306, “MUFG”) today announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand NextGen, their business co-creation model. Building on their collaboration launched in May 2024*1 and further developed as announced in May 2025*2 , NextGen combines Hitachi’s technology and operational expertise with MUFG’s financial capabilities to accelerate the transition to decarbonized mobility.

*1 MUFG’s Business Co-Creation and Investment into UK Battery as a Service project by Hitachi ZeroCarbon May 2024

*2 Hitachi ZeroCarbon and MUFG unite technology expertise with financial support to accelerate fleet electrification May 2025

NextGen was initially validated through a UK pilot project with First Bus, where the parties collaborated via a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to support the procurement and operation of electrification assets under a Battery-as-a-Service model. This expanded MoU extends NextGen beyond battery-focused structures, enabling broader and more scalable deployment across additional markets outside the UK and across a wider range of asset classes. These include emobility assets such as electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, associated energy management systems, and potentially extending to energy hubs supporting industrial assets, power grids and data centers.

Hitachi and MUFG Bank will also develop and scale SPV structures to finance decarbonized mobility assets for fleet and transport operators. This approach removes capital constraints and accelerates implementation, enabling operators to focus on their core transport services. From Hitachi’s side, the initiative is led by its Strategic SIB Business Unit, bringing together expertise from across Hitachi including Hitachi Energy, as ‘One Hitachi’. Hitachi will also provide managed services for asset performance and lifecycle optimization, supported by data-driven solutions from Hitachi ZeroCarbon. Through this initiative, Hitachi aims to further advance and streamline mobility and charging infrastructure operations by expanding HMAX by Hitachi, a suite of next-generation solutions that embodies Lumada 3.0, differentiated by deep domain knowledge and AI.

Electrifying commercial transport at pace will require an unprecedented deployment of vehicles, charging and energy infrastructure - alongside innovative financing models to support it. Global investment in electrified transport reached around US$750 billion in 2024, making it the largest segment of the energy transition worldwide*3 - yet many fleet operators face limited access to capital and the operational complexity of transitioning at scale. Against this backdrop, Hitachi and MUFG Bank aim to expand NextGen as a repeatable model to accelerate implementation by combining structured asset financing with managed services and data-driven optimization.

*3 Sources: BloombergNEF’s Energy transition Investment Trends 2025

In demonstration of the expanded pipeline, Hitachi ZeroCarbon and MUFG Bank have also entered into an MoU with Boreal Norge AS and its subsidiary Boreal Buss AS, one of Norway’s primary transport operators, providing transport services across several counties and employing around 3,000 employees across its fleet, which includes over 850 buses and 35 ferries. The parties will explore how they can support Boreal’s transition planning, de-risk operations, optimize services and strengthen competitiveness as concessions evolve.

Jun Taniguchi, Senior Vice President and Executive Officer, CEO of Strategic SIB Business Unit, at Hitachi, Ltd. said:

“We are delighted to advance this partnership which combines Hitachi’s deep expertise in social infrastructure and digital technologies with MUFG Bank, Ltd.’s financial strength to accelerate the transition to a decarbonized society. By improving the performance of assets such as batteries and charging infrastructure through Hitachi’s digital services led by HMAX, we can truly help customers optimize the total cost of ownership. This partnership embodies our One Hitachi approach, leveraging our diverse capabilities across the Group to support our customers in achieving their net-zero ambitions.”

Masakazu Osawa, Senior Managing Executive Officer Chief Executive, Japanese Corporate & Investment Banking Business Unit of MUFG Bank, Ltd., said:

“Building on MUFG’s Business Co‑Creation and Investment approach, this collaboration with Hitachi aims to create value through strategic partnerships that improve society and the environment. For the global EV market, our focus is not only on strengthening Hitachi’s leading position in Battery as a Service, but also on fostering a holistic value chain — including second‑ life battery markets — that supports the acceleration of electric mobility and the achievement of 2050 net‑zero targets. Together with our partners, we are committed to co‑creating sustainable businesses that become a driving force for progress worldwide.”

Nikolai Knudsmoen Utheim, Group CEO, Boreal Norge AS said:

“Our priority has always been to deliver first-class transport services to our customers, whether that’s on the road, rail or over water. In exploring how we can unlock the power of electrified fleets, we can not only deliver more sustainable operations, but upgrade our infrastructure and thread technology across our entire business model for more efficient, smart transport and energy management.”

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.

About MUFG

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc. (MUFG) is one of the world’s leading financial groups. Headquartered in Tokyo and with over 360 years of history, MUFG has a global network with approximately 2,000 locations in more than 40 countries. The Group has about 150,000 employees and offers services including commercial banking, trust banking, securities, credit cards, consumer finance, asset management, and leasing. The Group aims to “be the world’s most trusted financial group” through close collaboration among our operating companies and flexibly respond to all of the financial needs of our customers, serving society, and fostering shared and sustainable growth for a better world. MUFG’s shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York stock exchanges. For more information, visit https://www.mufg.jp/english.

About Boreal

Boreal is a leading mobility provider, operating buses, fast ferries, passenger ferries and trams in Norway and Sweden. We remain firmly committed to our societal mission of encouraging more people to travel collectively. At the same time, we are more than public transport. As the only company operating buses, ferries, fast ferries, trams and tourism services, we deliver integrated mobility solutions and travel experiences. Although Boreal is a young company in name, its heritage extends back more than 150 years. The company has around 3,000 employees and is headquartered in Stavanger, Norway.

The Frst New Leo Liner "L00 Series"

TOKYO, Mar 27, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has completed delivery of the first trainsets L00 Series ("Leo-kei") trains (4 cars per trainset, total 12 cars) ordered by Seibu Railway Co., Ltd. for its Yamaguchi Line, an automated guideway transit (AGT) system. Commercial operation of the first train began on March 27th. That same day, Seibu Railway held a commemorative ceremony for the start of commercial operation, attended by Tokorozawa City Mayor Masatoshi Onozuka and Higashimurayama City Mayor Takashi Watanabe.

The new L00 Series are being manufactured at MHI's Mihara Machinery Works in Hiroshima Prefecture, and are scheduled to be delivered sequentially by FY2027. The seating arrangement has been changed from the bench seats used in the existing 8500 Series vehicles to longitudinal seats to increase transport capacity to BELLUNA DOME baseball stadium and Seibuen Amusement Park. To meet diverse passenger needs, wheelchair spaces, children's seats, and in-car information displays have been installed to enhance convenience.

In addition, the new trains incorporate many unique specifications designed by MHI especially for AGT system vehicles, including aluminum bodyshells, the MHI bogie,(1), a ceiling duct air conditioning system,(2) and A-MVCS (Advanced Mitsubishi Vehicle Control System). The A-MVCS in particular, in addition to the vehicle control function, has monitoring and commissioning functions for each piece of on-board equipment, allowing it to flexibly meet the needs of railway operators.

Further, a large glass window has been installed in the partition wall between the driver's cab and the children's seat, allowing children to enjoy the view from the front window and driver's seat, enhancing the sense of excitement for passengers.

This AGT system utilizes rubber tires for a smooth ride and low noise. In addition, as a type of clean mobility with low CO2 emissions, the system has a reduced environmental impact, supporting the realization of a decarbonized and energy-efficient world. The adoption of vehicles that combine excellent design and environmental performance also enhances the impression of the surrounding facilities.

Going forward, MHI Group will continue to strive for technological innovation, and through services that safely and comfortably transport people and goods, contribute to the development of public transport that supports the lives of people around the world.

(1) A bogie developed by MHI for AGT systems. It is compatible with general rubber tire operation for AGTs.
(2) A system that directs air through ducts behind the ceiling to provide air conditioning.

About MHI Group

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group is one of the world’s leading industrial groups, spanning energy, smart infrastructure, industrial machinery, aerospace and defense. MHI Group combines cutting-edge technology with deep experience to deliver innovative, integrated solutions that help to realize a carbon neutral world, improve the quality of life and ensure a safer world. For more information, please visit www.mhi.com or follow our insights and stories on spectra.mhi.com

TOKYO, Japan, Mar 26, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi Rail announced that it will manufacture rolling stock for a new restaurant train, Fine Dining Train “vies,” in which SEIBU RAILWAY Co.,Ltd. is participating. The train is scheduled to begin operations in March 2028, and the train name and logo design have now been finalized.

Realising a premium travel experience through rolling stock manufacturing

Drawing on the technologies and expertise it has cultivated through the design and manufacture of railway rolling stock, Hitachi will be responsible for manufacturing the vehicles for this train. Fine Dining Train “vies” builds upon and further develops the concept established by “ Fifty Two Seats of Happiness ,” Seibu Railway’s full - course restaurant train that has been in operation since 2016, with the aim of delivering a more refined and exclusive space and dining experience. The train will be newly designed and manufactured based on the Seibu Railway flagship limited express train “Laview,” which was manufactured by Hitachi and debuted in 2019. Hitachi will apply to this project the technical know - how it has gained through the development and manufacture of Laview, including the creation of open and spacious interiors enabled by large windows, design philosophies that harmonize with surrounding landscapes, and technologies that realize a comfortable travel environment. In addition, Hitachi’s contribution extends beyond vehicle manufacturing alone. By leveraging its expertise in control and system technologies that support safe, stable operation and passenger comfort, Hitachi will help realize a travel experience in which dining and space are integrated at a high level. Through the creation of a premium travel environment that ensures safety and comfort while supporting “ quality time shared with someone special ,” Hitachi will continue to deliver new value.

Key information

• Train Name: Fine Dining Train “vies”
• Planned Start of Operations: March 2028
• Rolling Stock Manufacturer: Hitachi Rail
• Naming Development: Toshiyuki Konishi (POOL inc.)
• Logo Design: Hideyuki Tanno (POOL DESIGN inc.)

Naming concept

Fine Dining Train “vies” “Vie” means “life” or “living” in French. The name reflects respect for nature —an important value long cherished in Japan, where food is regarded as receiving life —while expressing the desire to enrich the lives of each passenger. The plural form “vies” was chosen to represent this idea. When read in reverse, “vies” reads as “Seibu,” creating a subtle narrative connection. Together with the subtitle “Fine Dining Train,” the name expresses a special dining stage where multiple lives meet and resonate through a refined culinary experience.

Logo design concept

The organic curve of the letter “s” and the underline extending from it represent the train’s distinctive form. The word “vie,” meaning “life,” “living,” and “vitality” in French, is incorporated into the design, symbolizing both rich cuisine and the passengers themselves. Rather than speed or efficiency, the logo embodies a leisurely and indulgent experience, creating a space that gently envelops its guests. The underline extending from right to left subtly alludes to the reverse reading of “vies” as “Seibu.”

Seibu Railway’s restaurant train

Hitachi has supported Seibu Railway’s restaurant train initiative through close collaboration with the company, including “Fifty Two Seats of Happiness ,” which has been in operation as a full - service restaurant train since April 17, 2016, following the refurbishment of Seibu Railway’s 4000 series rolling stock. Designed by architect Kengo Kuma , the exterior and interior of the train are inspired by Chichibu , one of the region’s most prominent tourist destinations. The exterior dynamically incorporates motifs of the Arakawa River flowing through the natural landscape, while the interior features traditional Chichibu Meisen textiles and l ocally sourced Nishikawa timber . The train operates mainly on weekends and holidays between Ikebukuro / Seibu - Shinjuku and Seibu - Chichibu stations, and is scheduled to mark its 10th anniversary in April 2026 .

Seibu Railway 001 series limited express train “Laview”

Hitachi manufactured the Seibu Railway 001 series limited express train “Laview,” positioned as Seibu Railway’s flagship train for the future, which debuted on March 16, 2019 . The name “Laview” combines the concepts of “L” for a luxurious living -like space, “a” for arrow -like speed, and “view” for the expansive scenery visible through its large windows . The train embodies the aspiration to provide passengers with an enjoyable limited express journey that gently blends into both urban and natural landscapes.

About Hitachi Rail

Hitachi Rail is committed to driving the transition to sustainable mobility and has a clear focus on partnering with customers to rethink mobility. Its mission is to help every passenger, customer, and community enjoy the benefits of more connected, smooth , and sustainable transportation.

With a turnover of more than €7 billion and 24,000 employees in more than 50 countries, Hitachi Rail is a reliable partner for the world's best transport companies. The company's presence is global, but the company is local, with success based on developing local talent and investing in people and communities. Its international expertise and experience covers every part of urban ecosystems, main lines and freight railways, from high - quality production and maintenance of rolling stock to digital signalling, payment systems and smart operations. Hitachi Rail, famous for Japan's iconic high -speed train, leverages the digital and artificial intelligence expertise of Hitachi Group companies to accelerate innovation and develop new technologies.

For more information, visit the hitachirail.com

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors – Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries – and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY 2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.

KARIYA, JAPAN, Mar 19, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - DENSO CORPORATION (hereinafter “DENSO”) announced it has invested in Next Core Technologies, Inc. (Headquarters: Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture; President: Yuki Yamamoto; hereinafter “NCT”) with the aim of jointly developing in the field of motor cores(1). These cores utilize iron-based amorphous alloys(2), which are a key materials for strengthening the competitiveness of next-generation Motor Generators (hereinafter “MG”)(3).

In the automotive industry, the adoption of electric vehicles such as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)(4), Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)(5), and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)(6) are expected to expand over the mid to long term in pursuit of carbon neutrality. As a result, market demand for improved power efficiency in electric vehicles continues to grow. Against this backdrop, higher efficiency is increasingly required of MG, which play a critical role in extending driving range and improving driving performance of electrified vehicles .

To meet these market needs, reducing power loss in MG is essential. Among various approaches, iron-based amorphous alloys—which can significantly reduce iron loss(7) occurring in motor cores—are increasingly considered a promising material to realize high-efficiency motors. 

Under these circumstances, DENSO has decided to invest in NCT, which possesses strong expertise in materials and processing technologies for iron-based amorphous alloys, to achieve early realization of MG’s product competitiveness using this next-generation material.

Through this investment, DENSO and NCT will accelerate joint development which aims to establish mass production of highly efficient motor cores for next-generation MG, by combining NCT’s materials and processing technologies for amorphous alloy motor cores with DENSO’s extensive expertise in MG product development. This initiative will contribute to further improvements in the performance of next-generation MG, thereby helping to extend the driving range of electric vehicles and enhance their driving performance. 

DENSO will continue to create valuable products that meet diverse market needs through proactive collaboration with competitive partners, contributing to the development of a sustainable mobility society and the realization of carbon neutrality.

(1) Motor Core: An iron core inside a motor that conducts magnetic flux. It is manufactured by stacking thin electromagnetic steel sheets and has a significant impact on motor performance, efficiency, and heat generation.
(2) Iron-Based Amorphous Alloy: A metallic material with a non-crystalline (“amorphous”) atomic structure, enabling significant reduction of iron loss (power loss). However, it is also characterized by hardness and brittleness, making processing and mass production challenging.
(3) Motor Generator (MG): A core motor installed in BEVs, PHEVs, and HEVs that serves as the primary driving force during startup and driving, while also generating electricity during deceleration
(4) BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle): A vehicle that runs solely on electricity without using gasoline
(5) PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): A vehicle that can run on electricity alone for short distances, similar to a BEV, and also uses gasoline when needed
(6) HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle): A vehicle driven by a combination of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor
(7) Iron Loss: Energy loss generated in the iron core of motors