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Mitsubishi Fuso Opens Eco-Friendly, Vehicle Paint Facility
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| • | 8.0 billion yen investment in new facility for painting light-, medium- and heavy-duty truck cabs |
| • | State-of-the-art technologies deliver significant customer, environmental and quality benefits |
| Tokyo, Japan – Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, today announced the opening of a new, state-of-the-art vehicle paint facility at its Kawasaki Manufacturing Plant. Representing an investment of 8.0 billion yen, the new facility is designed to increase environmentally-friendly operation while delivering maximum paint quality for customers. Harald Boelstler, MFTBC President and CEO, said, “Fuso’s opening of this new paint facility is another step in our journey to become ‘the most reliable company’ for customers, all our business partners and the general public. Our investment in this new facility ushers in new benefits for customers and signals our commitment to quality. As a member of DaimlerChrysler, this development is also clearly in line with DaimlerChrysler’s global vision of environmental sustainability." The new facility, 31 meters tall and encompassing 17,000 square meters of floor space, will be utilized to paint light-, medium- and heavy-duty truck cabs. It incorporates the latest in vehicle paint technologies including advanced exhaust controls, coating systems and energy reduction processes. A leading customer benefit is increased potential to paint more colors. Due to the new capabilities, Mitsubishi Fuso has the possibility to significantly increase color availability, in order to meet a variety of customers’ needs. Environmental features and benefits enabled by the new facility include: |
| • | Reduced emission of VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), due to a state-of-the-art exhaust control system. |
| • | Reduced odors, also enabled by the new exhaust system. |
| • | Less factory noise, due to the better sound insulating materials. |
| • | Prevention of the spread of paint mist, by introducing a paint mist catcher for the exhaust evacuation system of the paint booth. |
| • | Up to 30% energy reduction, by using a drying furnace and paint booth with less heat loss and a heat recycling system for the air intake mechanism in the work areas. |
| Quality features and benefits enabled by the new facility include: |
| • | Consistency of primer and electro deposition coating, delivered through a revolving dipping system called “Vario shuttle.” The system turns the cab almost a full rotation for stable quality in the process of primer and electro deposition coating. This is the first use of this kind of system by a Japanese truck or automotive maker. |
| • | Strict dust control, due to airtight wall materials, minimized openings to the exterior of the paint booth, and a centralized air conditioning system with separate zones by floor. |
| • | A sophisticated monitoring and diagnostic system designed to ensure optimal operation of all paint facility operations. |
| Mitsubishi Fuso began construction of the new paint facility in December 2004. It is an integral part of the Kawasaki Manufacturing Plant, located in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The Plant employs over 2,000 people in the production of light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, engines, transmissions, axles and industrial engines. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2005, the company sold a total of 178,900 vehicles including light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. In the international markets outside Japan, MFTBC sold approximately 119,000 units (wholesale), +4% versus 2004 and a new international sales record for the company. DaimlerChrysler AG owns 85% of MFTBC shares. The remaining 15% of shares are held by various Mitsubishi group companies. |
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