The company started production of KD-series 2-cycle diesel engines after entering into partnership and technology exchange with Friedrich Krupp AG.

The drive went to the villages of Hakone, Osaka, Kyoto, Gero, Ikaho, Niigata and Aizu before returning to Kawaguchi.

As of 1985 the company had a wide range of light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, as well as buses and special-purpose vehicles such as crane carriers.

There was also the signing of development assistance contract for air suspension of buses with China's Dongfeng Motor Corporation.

Reasons given for this decision was a combination of factors, including the continued shrinking of the cab-over-engine market segment and the accelerating cost of regulatory compliance.

In 2016, UD Trucks started selling the Kazet, a new light-duty for the Japanese market that is supplied by Mitsubishi Fuso.

The Condor, a medium-duty truck, is supplied by Isuzu as part of an OEM agreement, mainly for the Japanese market.

In December 2019, Volvo signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding to form a strategic alliance with Isuzu.

As part of the agreement, Volvo plans to eventually transfer UD Trucks to Isuzu.

[9] In April 2021, Isuzu Motors became the owner of UD Trucks, completing the sale with Volvo.

Some of the main markets are Japan, South Africa, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.

UD Trucks Southern Africa's head office and assembly plant is in Rosslyn, Gauteng and includes a competency development centre.

There are 36 UD Trucks dealers and service agents in South Africa and another 30 in other southern African countries, including Angola, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.