Fuso Global Sales Increase in 2011,
Strong Recovery from Historical Earthquake Crisis in Japan

Kawasaki - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, today announced its global sales (including international markets and Japan) increased 5.0% in 2011 to 147,653 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 140,681 units). Despite the earthquake crisis in Japan, Fuso’s sales in its home market of Japan were up 8.8% in 2011 to 26,959 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 24,787 units), representing an overall increase in market share up to 21.1% for the full year 2011 (2010 Japan total truck and bus market share: 20.0%). In international markets outside Japan, Fuso sold 120,694 units, a 4.0% improvement year-over-year (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 115,893 units). While numbers prove overall good customer response to Fuso products, the positive full-year results reflect the company’s immediate ramp-up efforts in restoring its supply chain in response to strong reconstruction demands in Japan.

“Japan faced one-in-a-thousand year crisis in 2011. March 11, changed lives, changed business and changed the very landscape of Japan, and we will always remember the unbelievable adjustments in our business to recover from the disaster,” said Dr. Albert Kirchmann, MFTBC President and CEO. “We want to thank all partners involved in our ramp-up efforts and our customers for their patience through the course of the nation’s recovery. Moving ahead in 2012 under our 5-pillar strategy “FUSO 2015,” we are fully committed to living up to our Fuso values and to delivering high quality products and business solutions to our customers around the world. Overall, we expect moderate growth in 2012 with slightly different pictures by each region and market.”

Mr. Kai-Uwe Seidenfuss, Vice President of Sales & Service International, referred to the overall global market trend, “We see encouraging signs in many Asian markets including Southeast Asia, in the U.S. and Latin America. Solid demand and increasing momentum are characteristics of Australia/Pacific and the Middle East. Despite some regional economic weaknesses plus the strong yen affecting our global business, by leveraging the Daimler Trucks network and our global footprint, Fuso will add further chapters to its overall growth story.”

“We are pleased with the full-year results in Japan,” said Mr. Akio Suehiro, Vice President of Sales & Service Domestic. “Fuso’s leading fuel-efficient product is our core strength in offering customers more value, and in this regard, we will bring even stronger focus in establishing further superior position in 2012.”

Recovery and Momentum in the Japan Market

MFTBC’s sales in its home market of Japan developed positively, up 8.8% in 2011 to 26,959 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 24,787 units). Sales were also supported by reconstruction demands especially in the later half of the year. This represents an increase in overall truck and bus market share up to 21.1% for the full year 2011 (2010 domestic total truck and bus market share: 20.0%). Customers’ response to Fuso’s eco-friendly and fuel efficient product offerings were key factors in this positive sales development. In 2011, Fuso completed update of its entire Japan product line, all now incorporating advanced BlueTec® emissions control system and compliant to the world’s most stringent JP09 emission regulations (Japan Post New Long-Term Emission Regulations) while also meeting the Japan’s 2015 Fuel Economy Standards. Fuso intends to further strengthen its leadership position in overall vehicle fuel efficiency and advanced green technologies.

Growth in Key International Markets

In international markets outside the company’s home market of Japan, Fuso sold 120,694 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 115,893 units), a 4.0% improvement year-over-year.

A major factor in MFTBC’s strong results in 2011 was a double-digit growth in Southeast Asia, the company’s largest export region.

In Southeast Asia, sales increased 10% to 66,321 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 60,281). Sales in Indonesia reached a second-year-in-a-row record 61,682 units, up 10.7% (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 55,728 units). Accumulated sales in Indonesia will soon reach the 900,000-unit milestone.

Sales in Taiwan in the Northeast Asia region increased 41.9% to 11,643 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 8,203 units).

In North America, sales went up to 4,200 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 3,704 units), a strong 13.4% improvement contributed by the new Canter launched for the market in early 2011.

In Europe including Turkey, sales developed positively, up by 3.9% to 9,832 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 9,462 units). Sales in Russia significantly increased to 1,992 units (Jan.-Dec. 2010: 792 units), up by 151%.

In Australia/Pacific, sales increased 17.3% to 4,377 units (Jan.-Dec.2010: 3,732 units). In Australia alone, Fuso achieved an overall number two market share among Japanese brands.

Continuing Product Offensive in 2012, Entering New Segments and Markets

Fuso’s positive sales result in 2011 was strongly supported by a product offensive lead by a series of international roll-outs of the new Canter light-duty truck in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia. It will roll out in more than 40 markets by the end of 2012. The company introduced more than 20 new products or product changes in 2011, and this dynamic will continue in 2012. Fuso plans to introduce more than 30 new products, including product changes, new segments and new market entries in 2012. A highlight will be the launch of the all-new Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck, planned for launch in spring 2012, followed by international roll-outs. Fuso is active in more than 150 markets worldwide.

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2011, the company sold a total of about 147,700 vehicles including light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Daimler AG owns 89.29% of MFTBC shares and various Mitsubishi group companies own 10.71% of MFTBC shares. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.