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PRESS RELEASE

Mitsubishi Fuso Develops Advanced Safety Vehicle “FUSO ASV-4,”
To Join ITS-Safety2010 in Japan

January 29, 2009

Kawasaki Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) today announced its participation in the ITS-Safety2010 large-scale road test with its newly developed “FUSO ASV-4” (Advanced Safety Vehicle) truck. The ITS-Safety2010 large-scale road test is implemented by ITS (Intelligent Transport Systems) Japan, an organization jointly formed by the Japan government and the private sector. MFTBC’s participation aims at helping to further quantify the effect of various technologies in reducing traffic accidents. Another aim is to further develop various devices on the FUSO ASV-4 for possible market introduction.



FUSO ASV-4


Features of the FUSO ASV-4
The FUSO ASV-4 is based on the Super Great line of heavy-duty trucks and is equipped with various systems for enhancing driver attention, including radio-based inter-vehicle communication systems, optical beacons and technology for road-to-vehicle communications. The base vehicle is equipped with systems such as an attention monitoring system (MDAS-III: Mitsubishi Driver’s Attention monitoring System – III) and distance warning system that uses millimeter-wave radar to provide warnings about the distance between vehicles.

Participation in Various Initiatives

The FUSO ASV-4 is participating in various initiatives within the larger ITS-Safety2010 project. Depending on the initiative, different systems are being evaluated.

 

ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) Project
To participate in the 4th ASV (Advanced Safety Vehicle) Project run by the Road Transport Bureau of the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the vehicle has been equipped with a system design to reduce chance of vehicle collision by using radio-based inter-vehicle communication to recognize other vehicles.

DSSS (Driving Safety Support System) Project
To participate in the DSSS (Driving Safety Support System) Project run by the Japan National Police Agency, the vehicle is equipped with a system for using optical-beacon-based road-to-vehicle communications to recognize road signs and gain the attention of the driver.

Smartway Project
To participate in the Smartway Project run by the Bureau of Public Roads in the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, the vehicle has been equipped with systems for drawing the attention of the driver to stopped vehicles and traffic jams around bends with poor visibility. This is accomplished by getting information from road sensors using road-to-vehicle communications. By incorporating the latest ITS technology, the next-generation road concept “Smartway” will serve as the general platform for implementation of diverse ITS services to increase the overall effect of ITS.


Schedule

The ITS-Safety2010 large scale public road test is scheduled to be conducted on public roads in the new Tokyo waterfront subcenter from January 12.

On Friday, January 30, the inter-vehicle communication test (part of the ASV project) will be conducted using 30 actual vehicles. This test is run by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and is open to the press.

On Wednesday, February 25, the ITS-Safety2010 Public Demonstration, run by ITS Japan, will be conducted.

Mitsubishi Fuso’s Efforts in Safety Technology
In addition to the FUSO ASV-4, MFTBC has also developed its “Safety Truck.” Introduced in 2008, this concept model is also based on the new Super Great heavy-duty truck. The vehicle employs variety of active safety technologies including AMB (Active Mitigation Brake) and ESP® (Electronic Stability Program) scheduled for market introduction in the near future. Additional features include MDAS-III along with passive safety technologies such as driver airbag and an impact-absorbent cab.

MFTBC is committed to further improving safety technology based on the technology developed for the FUSO ASV-4 and the Safety Truck.

Mitsubishi Fuso's safety technology development underscores Daimler Trucks’ initiative on “Future Product Generations and Technologies.” In this effort, all Daimler Trucks brands are taking steps to ensure that future product generations will offer innovations and even more value for customers. Alternative drive systems and advanced safety technology are two areas of focus. “Future Product Generations and Technologies” is part of Daimler Trucks’ Global Excellence program.



Mitsubishi Fuso Safety Truck announced in June 2008

About MFTBC

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.



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