ZM Trucks is set to establish its first North American manufacturing facility in Fontana, California. The 210,000-square-foot facility will serve as a production plant and regional headquarters, supporting the company’s expansion in the U.S. commercial vehicle market. With operations slated to begin in the first half of 2025, the facility is designed to manufacture up to 100,000 vehicles annually, including electric commercial trucks, terminal tractors, and airport ground service equipment.
The new site is part of a broader initiative by ZO Motors, ZM Trucks' parent company, to enhance its global production capabilities. While the company maintains a manufacturing presence in Cambodia to serve the Asia-Pacific region, this U.S. expansion improves supply chain efficiency and strengthens regional market responsiveness.
As the commercial transportation sector shifts toward sustainable solutions, ZM Trucks aims to meet increasing demand with a diverse portfolio of zero-emission vehicles. The company's offerings include battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell trucks, with plans to introduce hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) technology in the near future.
Leveraging its Japanese engineering expertise and experience in new-energy vehicles, ZM Trucks is focused on balancing environmental benefits with cost efficiency. Joost de Vries, CEO of ZO Motors, highlights that the company’s approach prioritizes both emissions reduction and total cost of ownership, ensuring that zero-emission adoption remains economically viable for businesses.
The Fontana facility is expected to create jobs within California’s growing clean technology sector while bolstering the local economy. Its strategic location also enhances ZM Trucks' ability to serve North American customers efficiently, while supporting planned market expansion into South America and the Middle East throughout 2024.
