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PRESS RELEASE

Mitsubishi Fuso Hybrid Vehicles Constitute Key Part of
Daimler’s “Shaping Future Transportation” Initiative

November 14, 2007

•  Canter Eco Hybrid Light-Duty Trucks and Hybrid Route Buses Already Operating In Japan
•  Announcement of Hybrid Vehicle Test in Europe
•  Mitsubishi Fuso is the Hybrid Technology Center of Competence for Daimler Trucks

KawasakiHybrid commercial vehicles from Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) form a key element of the new, “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative from Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses. The Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck and Mitsubishi Fuso hybrid city buses already are in operation in Japan. Mitsubishi Fuso will begin customer trials of hybrid trucks in Europe by the end of the year. At the same time, it will continue cooperation within Daimler Trucks on overall hybrid development and implementation.

“Shaping Future Transportation” is the name of the global initiative of Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses to redouble ongoing efforts to achieve a drastic reduc­tion in the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of commercial vehicles. Announced November 12 at an event in Stuttgart, Germany, “Shaping Future Transportation” encompasses alternative drive system initiatives across various commercial vehicle brands. Hybrid technology plays a key role in these vehicles, as it can reduce diesel consumption by up to 30 percent, depending on the application.

MFTBC, one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.

Mitsubishi Fuso Hybrids in Daily Operation in Japan

As Daimler Trucks is accelerating its efforts in the area of hybrids and alternative-powered vehicles, MFTBC and other companies within the group already have a significant presence in the market.
In July 2006, Mitsubishi Fuso introduced the Canter Eco Hybrid, a pioneering light-duty hybrid electric commercial vehicle. The Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck significantly reduces fuel consumption and emissions, while providing easy operation on the job.

In September 2007, the company launched its next generation hybrid large-sized route bus, the Aero Star Eco Hybrid. The low emissions bus succeeds the Aero Nonstep HEV bus, unveiled by Mitsubishi Fuso in 2004.

Most recently, Mitsubishi Fuso introduced the “Canter Eco-D,” a concept hybrid light-duty dump truck. The new Canter Eco-D, with distinctive and sophisticated styling, delivers extremely low emissions and quiet performance while incorporating a host of advanced features. It was developed to demonstrate further uses of hybrid and other advanced technologies to the commercial vehicle market.

Great Britain Hybrid Test

Mitsubishi Fuso will strive to further develop its hybrid products and business in its home market of Japan. In the meantime, the company will begin a test of hybrid vehicles in Europe.

Before the end of this year, the first of 10 vehicles will be entering customer trials for a period of 3 years in Great Britain. These represent the first customer trials with hybrid trucks in Europe. In technical terms, the powertrain is the same as on the Japan Canter Eco Hybrid, however the vehicles are configured for European requirements and the engines for the Euro­pean emissions standards.

Cooperation on Mercedes-Benz Atego (7.5 ton) with hybrid drive

At the same time, Mitsubishi Fuso is cooperating with Mercedes-Benz on the Mercedes-Benz Atego BlueTec (7.5 t) with hybrid drive. The vehicle, which is now making its debut, benefits from the worldwide Daimler Trucks network and coordination between the engineers in Stuttgart, Germany and Kawasaki, Japan.

Hybrid Center of Daimler Trucks

These continuing hybrid developments are in line with MFTBC’s role as Daimler Trucks center of competence for HEV technology. Within Daimler Trucks, Mitsubishi Fuso is charged with developing advanced hybrid technologies, including systems which will extend worldwide in the future.



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