Mitsubishi Fuso International Sales Continue on High Level
Through First Three Quarters of 2008

Kawasaki – Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) today announced that its international sales remained strong through the first three quarters of 2008. Year-to-date through September, the company’s sales outside Japan reached 113,348 units, a 17.4% increase (Jan. – Sept. 2007 = 96,556 units). In the third quarter itself, international sales increased slightly to 38,310 units (July – Sept. 2007 = 37,971 units).

Due to the company’s strong foothold in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa, and together with solid sales in other areas, MFTBC was able to realize highly positive international sales results in the first three quarters of 2008. This year’s international growth also has been fueled by a series of new product launches in existing markets, including the new Fighter medium-duty truck in Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand and the new Canter light-duty truck in Vietnam. In addition, Mitsubishi Fuso has entered several new markets in 2008 including Angola, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro.

Key factors in MFTBC’s international sales growth in the first three quarters of 2008 were significant sales increases in the company’s main export markets, but growth has been achieved in almost all regions.

In Southeast Asia, sales have increased 54.3% to 40,952 units (Jan. – Sept. 2007 = 26,539 units). In Indonesia, the company’s largest export market, sales are up 68.2% to 34,068 units (Jan. – Sept. 2007 = 20,251 units).

In the Middle East, sales have increased 6.9% to 24,119 units (Jan. – Sept. 2007 = 22,554 units). Sales especially surged in following countries: Oman +51.9% to 4,287 units and Saudi Arabia +39.7% to 5,503 units.

Strong sales growth has also been achieved in most other major markets worldwide, including in Africa (+20.6%), Europe including Turkey (+14.6%) and Latin America (+20.6%).

Mitsubishi Fuso’s sales in its home market of Japan continue to be affected by difficult market conditions impacting all domestic commercial vehicle manufacturers. Through the first three quarters of 2008, MFTBC’s Japan sales have declined 24.6% to 31,881 units (Jan. – Sept. 2007 = 42,309 units).  In the third quarter itself, Japan sales were down 17.2% to 11,300 units (July – Sept. 2007 = 13,646 units).

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2007, the company sold a total of about 188,700 vehicles including light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Daimler AG owns 85% of MFTBC shares. The remaining 15% of shares are held by various Mitsubishi group companies. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.