Hino Motors to settle New Zealand diesel emissions class action for NZ$10.9m

Hino Motors said its board of directors on December 25 approved a settlement with a group of claimants over the “environmental” performance of its diesel vehicles in New Zealand. The class action was filed on March 3, 2025 in the High Court (Palmerston North registry), with plaintiffs alleging they suffered losses due to purported fraudulent conduct tied to Hino engines not meeting emissions and fuel‑efficiency standards.

The claimant group includes owners and buyers of diesel vehicles manufactured by Hino from January 1, 2010 to August 22, 2022 and purchased in New Zealand between March 4, 2010 and March 3, 2025. The company said it chose to settle after weighing the risk of a prolonged process and the potential impact of lengthy litigation on management and future business. The decision reads as a pragmatic move to contain uncertainty and keep attention on operations rather than courtroom theater.

The agreement totals 10.9 million New Zealand dollars, or about 5.36 million US dollars. It will be submitted to the High Court of New Zealand (Auckland registry) for approval, after which the settlement will become final. For affected owners, that court sign‑off is the key moment that turns an announcement into outcomes.

Hino also said it will record the payment as a special loss in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 (the period ending in March 2026). The overall impact is still being assessed, with details to follow once the picture is clearer. The company emphasized that agreeing to a settlement does not mean it accepts the plaintiffs’ claims or admits liability—an indication it aims to limit legal exposure while moving the business forward.