As Japan rapidly industrialized in the 1930s, demand for trucks was greater than for passenger vehicles. Many new automakers were founded around that time, including the forerunners to Nissan Motors and Toyota Motor in 1932 and 1933, respectively, and the forerunner to UD Trucks in 1935.

1935 Nihon Diesel Industries, Ltd., founded by Kenzo Adachi in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture  
1938 Birth of the first diesel engine, the ND1 Birth of the first diesel engine, the ND1
1942 Company name changed to Kanega-Fuchi Diesel Co., Ltd.  
1946 Company name changed to Minsei Sangyo Co., Ltd.  
1950 Company name changed to Minsei Diesel Industries, Ltd.  

Although automobile production was initially restricted after the end of World War II, manufacturing of trucks was allowed from the end of 1945 because they were essential for reconstruction, prompting domestic automakers to develop new engines.

1955 Birth of the original UD engine Birth of the original UD engine

As Japan’s economy grew rapidly from the 1950s, larger and more powerful trucks were needed for large-scale infrastructure construction, including roads, railways, ports, and sewage systems. Construction efforts accelerated following Tokyo’s successful bid to hold the 1964 Olympic Games.

1958 Sales begin for the 6TW model truck. As Japan’s first truck with a payload over 10 tons, the 6TW was used in the construction of the country’s first shinkansen bullet train line. Sales begin for the 6TW model truck. As Japan’s first truck with a payload over 10 tons, the 6TW was used in the construction of the country’s first shinkansen bullet train line.
1960 Company name changed to Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd.  
1962 Operations of the Ageo Plant commence  
1975 Sales begin for the Condor medium-duty truck Sales begin for the Condor medium-duty truck
1990 Sales begin for the Big Thumb heavy-duty truck  

Amid growing environmental awareness worldwide in the 1990s, Japan enacted legislation to limit nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from vehicles in 1992. By 2005, the country began enforcing the world’s strictest diesel exhaust emissions regulations.

2004 Sales begin for the Quon heavy-duty truck, the world’s first equipped with a urea selective catalytic reduction system for reducing NOx emissions. Sales begin for the Quon heavy-duty truck, the world’s first equipped with a urea selective catalytic reduction system for reducing NOx emissions.
2007 Nissan Diesel Motor joins the Volvo Group  
2010 Company name changed to UD Trucks Corporation  
2013 Sales begin for the Quester heavy-duty truck designed for emerging markets Sales begin for the Quester heavy-duty truck designed for emerging markets
2014 Sales begin for the Kazet light-duty truck Sales begin for the Kazet light-duty truck
2017 Sales begin for the Croner medium-duty truck and Kuzer light-duty truck, both designed for emerging markets Sales begin for the Croner medium-duty truck and Kuzer light-duty truck, both designed for emerging markets
2021 UD Trucks joins the Isuzu Group