The Fuso brand name first appeared in 1932 in conjunction with
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ first, so-called “B46” commercial
bus. Built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Kobe Shipyard
and Machine Works, the bus was seven meters long with a passenger
capacity of 38 people. It was powered by a 7-liter, 6-cylinder
gasoline engine producing 100 horsepower. |
To celebrate the delivery of the B46 bus to its
first customer, what was then the Japan Ministry of Railroads,
the company invited employees to submit suggestions for a nickname. “Fuso” was
the winning candidate. |
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B46 bus – the first “Fuso” |
The word “Fuso” derives from an ancient Chinese
term for a sacred tree said to grow at the spot in the East where
the sun rises, and has been used to refer to Japan, itself. The
actual Fuso tree is a hibiscus, known in Japanese as “bussoge,” and
is an evergreen that grows to about 3 meters and sprouts beautiful
red and pale pink flowers.
Following that first bus, the Fuso name would later be applied to
other leading products. Key vehicles in history of the company and
brand include the KT1, a gasoline-engine 4-ton truck (1946); the
T380, Japan’s first heavy-duty cab over truck (1959); and the
Rosa, Japan’s first small size bus (1960). |
KT truck - 1949
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First Rosa light bus - 1960 |
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First Canter - 1963 |
In 1963, the first “Canter” was
introduced to the market. The Mitsubishi Fuso Canter light-duty
truck would become the company’s best-selling vehicle of
all time, and maintains its excellent reputation today. |
As Japan’s economic expansion continued, the company’s
product line expanded to include a wide variety of light-, medium-
and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Many of the trucks and buses traveling
Japan’s highways and roads bore the Fuso name, and played
an important role in the Japan’s burgeoning commerce and
transportation. With expansion in the company’s overseas
business, Fuso vehicles also were working around the world.
In recent years, products bearing the Fuso name include the Canter
Eco Hybrid, one of the world’s cleanest light-duty trucks,
now available in Japan, and the Aero Star Hybrid, an advanced hybrid
electric bus. This is in addition to familiar “Fuso” products
like the Canter light-duty truck, Fighter medium-duty truck, Super
Great heavy-duty truck, Aero Star city bus and Aero Queen touring
bus. |
Canter Eco Hybrid – 2006
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New Super Great heavy-duty truck – 2007 |
The Fuso name also adorns the company’s diesel engines
for trucks, buses and industrial uses. And today, the name “Fuso” has
been integrated into the official brand “Mitsubishi Fuso.”
In Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and around the world, “Mitsubishi
Fuso” stands for superior products, outstanding service,
economic value and a commitment to customers’ success. |
[ Fuso History Top Page ] [ Brief
Corporate History ] [ Evolution
to the Next 75 Years (PDF) ]
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