Mitsubishi Fuso Achieves Strong Growth in Vietnam,
Launching New Generation Light-Duty Truck

Kawasaki - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, today announced it continues to achieve strong sales increases in Vietnam. At the same time, the company is launching its next generation light-duty truck in the Southeast Asia nation.

“Vietnam has been Mitsubishi Fuso’s fastest growing market worldwide and we are happy to report continuing, positive developments in the Vietnam business,” said Mr. Kai-Uwe Seidenfuss, Vice President, Sales & Service International for MFTBC. “We are extremely pleased with the enthusiastic customer acceptance of our products and remain very optimistic about the near- and long-term prospects in the market.”

Company sales in Vietnam increased 119% in 2007 to 3,048 units (2006= 1,392 units). This made Vietnam Mitsubishi Fuso’s fastest growing market on a percentage basis in 2007, among markets with sales over 1,500 units. Robust sales continued in the first quarter of 2008, with Mitsubishi Fuso sales reaching 624 units, more than double the sales total of Q1 2007 (288 units). (All sales numbers are MFTBC Group unit/MFTBC wholesales). Mitsubishi Fuso’s Vietnam product line includes light-duty trucks from 4.7 tons to 7.5 tons gross vehicle weight (GVW).

Mr. Seidenfuss attributed the positive sales developments to a combination of Vietnam’s economic growth and Mitsubishi Fuso’s competitive products, strengthening brand image and excellent working relationship with Vina Star Motors Corporation, the Mitsubishi Fuso distributor in Vietnam.

Amid the sales increases, Mitsubishi Fuso is now launching the new generation Canter in Vietnam The new Canter builds on the strong reputation of the former model with enhancements to safety, reliability, functionality, comfort and economy.

Key features of the new Canter include the following

The product in Vietnam also implements Euro 2 engines, for greater environmental performance and to meet government regulations. It will be assembled locally by Vina Star Motors at a production plant in Binh Duong province, and sold through the network of 19 Mitsubishi Fuso dealerships throughout Vietnam.

“We expect the new Canter to bring additional momentum to Mitsubishi Fuso’s Vietnam business,” said Mr. Seidenfuss. “We look forward to further growth and success in Vietnam and Southeast Asia as a whole.”

Overall, Mitsubishi Fuso is the number-one commercial vehicle brand in Southeast Asia.

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.