A Japanese commercial truck maker is planting its US headquarters in Fontana where it’s building out an electric truck manufacturing hub.
ZM Trucks , a subsidiary of ZO Trucks based in Tokyo, leased a 210,000 square foot facility at 10271 Almond Ave.
The company said it will use that facility to manufacture a range of zero-emission products including electric commercial trucks, tractors, and airport ground service equipment.
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The automaker joins a growing EV business movement in the Inland Empire. Karma Automotive announced in 2023 it was adding electric trucks to its assembly line in Moreno Valley. Luxembourg-based B-ON is manufacturing its electric light-commercial trucks at Karma’s facility on N. Perris Boulevard.
That same year, Riverside officials welcomed a New Zealand maker of autonomous electric shuttles to the city, where it established its international headquarters.
An effort to create a tax-credit zone for EV development was turned down by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cited budgetary concerns.
ZM Trucks is opening a manufacturing plant and regional headquarters at 10271 Almond Ave. in Fontana. (Photo courtesy of ZM Trucks)
Discussions with the city and San Bernardino County officials started in early 2024.
“Our Economic Development team worked extensively with ZM Trucks to ensure they found the perfect site in the county to support their continued growth in the zero-emission vehicle sector,” said Curt Hagman, San Bernardino County’s Fourth District supervisor.
The Fontana base, city officials said, should create “significant job opportunities in the region.” When fully operational, ZM Trucks said it will have approximately 200 employees.
The facility is expected to begin production this year. Production is estimated at 35,000 to 40,000 vehicles per year.
