Dentons represented Mitsui, a leading global trading and investment company, in establishing a strategic alliance with CaetanoBus, a Portuguese bus manufacturing company which sells and produces electric buses.

Heightened concern about climate change, atmospheric pollution and environmental protection has driven rapid growth in the electric vehicles markets in Europe and Asia. Vehicle electrification is set to go mainstream as large European cities - among others - implement policies to actively promote electric public buses.

CaetanoBus designed and manufactures an electric bus called "City Gold", which is being sold in Europe. Moreover, CaetanoBus co-owns the Cobus brand - a leader in airport apron buses. Mitsui will promote and expand the market share of CaetanoBus in Europe, Asia and worldwide. Annual sales of 1000 units of City Gold and the electric chassis are expected from as early as 2025.

Dentons provided Mitsui with comprehensive advisory on the deal, including due diligence in Portugal, the UK, and Germany. The Dentons team was led by Takura Kawai, partner, Head of the Japan Desk in EMEA, and Marcin Paliwoda, senior associate, member of the Corporate/M&A Practice Group in Warsaw, and was supported by a Portuguese partner firm as well as Dentons local teams in Germany and the UK, managed by Dr. Michael Malterer, Corporate and M&A partner in Munich, and Christopher Colclough, partner in the Milton Keynes Corporate practice.