The Japanese Daimler subsidiary, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation presented itself at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show under the motto “Building Together”. True to thismotto, the two commercial vehicle subsidiaries MFTBC and DICV are bundling their Asian business under the umbrella of Daimler Trucks Asia with a view to generating further sales growth in Asia and Africa. To this end, Daimler Trucks Asia will invest 300 million euro in the international sales and production structures on schedule in the period from 2014 to 2018. By the year 2020, around 290,000 units of the FUSO and BharatBenz brand are to be sold worldwide.

Dr Albert Kirchmann, Head of Daimler Trucks Asia and MFTBC President & CEO, said on the occasion of the Tokyo Motor Show: “With the investments, we are expanding our existing sales and production network in order to take advantage of future sales potential in Asia and Africa.” Dr. Kirchmann added: “Thus, we are investing in the future of a strong team from two cultures. I am proud of the team from Japan and India, which is working together hard in order to bring the right products for the future markets on the road.”

The markets of Southeast Asia have a significant market potential for the long term. According to external forecasts, annual truck sales for the entire region of Southeast Asia are expected to grow by about 20 to 30 percent until 2020. In the same period, the truck market on the African continent promises to grow by five to ten percent per year.

The trade fair debut of the new “FI” was reinforced by additional highlights from FUSO’s product range, which included four concept studies: the FUSO Canter Eco Hybrid “Canna” developed by and for women, the luxury coach FUSO Aero Queen “Premium Cruiser”, the repairs vehicle FUSO Canter Eco Hybrid “Moving Pit” and the heavy-duty truck FUSO Super Great “Fuel Efficient Truck”. In addition, the chrome-plated special model “Black Chrome” of the medium-duty dump truck FUSO Fighter was also showcased at the Motor Show.

The concept study “Canna” of the light-duty truck FUSO Canter Eco Hybrid dates back to the “Cute Truck” project for Tokyo Motor Show, with which FUSO wants to particularly appeal to women in the vehicle and shipping industry.