UD Trucks opened the “UD Experience Center” within the test course of the UD Headquarters in Japan. The company said the goal of this initiative is to provide visitors with a chance to learn more about the company’s 80-year history, leading to a better understanding of the brand. Since April 2013, a temporary location has been used for this initiative, however, in order to provide a more comprehensive “test drive” feature, the test course at the headquarters is utilized as part of the experience. Additionally, what was originally a 600-square-foot area has been increased about five times to now reach a total of 3,000 square feet.

There are four areas within the experience center. The “Heritage” area features introduction panels of historic trucks and restored models such as the 6TW and SUNGREAT released in the 1960s. The “Current Line-up” area features the heavy-duty truck Quon and medium-duty trucks “Condor” as well as “Quester” for growth markets. The “Design” area features design concepts for the trucks. In the “After Market” area, where the engine lineup is displayed, a maintenance bay is recreated and the various uptime support solutions UD provides are introduced. UD has secured both a spacious reception area, as well as a 360-square-meter meeting space on the 2nd floor that can welcome more than 100 guests. A 6-meter by 11-meter movable screen is installed in the display area for visitors to view films and presentations. The ceiling is 9 meters high, which provides a large open area on the 2nd floor allowing visitors to view the trucks from unique angles. Wheelchair access is available throughout the center.

UD Trucks, for the purpose of increasing understanding and awareness surrounding the brand, products and services, has been providing brand presentations, factory tours, and test drive activities to effectively package all elements into a “UD Experience” program since 2013. To date, the “UD Experience” program has been enjoyed by over 10,000 guests from 26 countries around the world. Following the new opening of the center in 2015, customers, media and UD Trucks employees, both domestically and internationally, will add 6,000 more visitors annually.

Following the new UD Experience Center commemorating the company’s 80th anniversary, a new headquarters building will be completed in July 2015.