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PRESS RELEASE

Mitsubishi Fuso Boosts Overseas Unit Sales by 26%
in First Quarter of Fiscal Year 2004


September 14 , 2004

  • Overseas group sales increase in every world region
  • Largest unit sales increase in Asia region
  • Positive trend continues in July and August

Tokyo – Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) today announced details of its group overseas sales*1 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2004 (April – June). Overseas sales increased by 26% to 31,300 trucks and buses against the same period in the previous fiscal year. Total global unit sales (which includes sales in Japan) in the first quarter reached 44,800 units, a plus of 8%. In fiscal year 2003, overseas sales of 97,300 units accounted for 51% of global unit sales (193,000 units).

Mitsubishi Fuso increased its overseas sales in every world region and defended its position as the leading Asian commercial vehicle manufacturer in the first quarter of fiscal year 2004:

  • In the Asia region (excluding Japan), group sales went up by 14% to 19,500 units. This represents the largest unit sales increase of all regions (2,400 units).

  • In the Middle East & Africa region and ahead of the introduction of the new light-duty truck Canter, group sales surged by 66% to 5,800 units.

  • In Europe where the DaimlerChrysler sales organization supports Mitsubishi Fuso in reaching new customers for the Canter, group sales went up by 48% to 2,200 units.

  • In North America, which introduced the New Generation Canter in July, group sales increased by 41% to 1,700 units.

  • In Oceania, which includes Australia and New Zealand, group sales went up by 34% to 1,200 units.

  • In Central and South America, group sales increased by 51% to 800 units.

  • Strong growth in overseas sales continued in July 2004 (plus 18%) and August 2004 (plus 38%) on a year-to-year basis.

Mitsubishi Fuso domestic sales (and domestic production and exports from Japan) are reported on a monthly basis by automobile associations. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2004, Mitsubishi Fuso domestic sales declined 15% to 13,600 trucks and buses. In an overall contracting domestic market (-9%), the market share of Mitsubishi Fuso slipped by 2 percentage points to 25.7%.

In fiscal year 2003, MFTBC achieved net sales of 894 billion yen (EUR 6.94 billion) and recorded an operating profit of 32.4 billion yen (EUR 251 million). Global sales of trucks and buses ran at 193,000 units. In March 2004, MFTBC became a fully consolidated subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler AG. By raising its share to 65%, DaimlerChrysler expressed its full long-term commitment to Mitsubishi Fuso. As an integral part of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world, MFTBC is better positioned than ever to master its current challenges in Japan and to compete in the increasingly competitive global truck and bus market.

*1: Group sales or wholesales are defined as retail sales at subsidiaries plus shipments to international distributors

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