Mitsubishi Fuso Unveils Latest Generation of
Renowned Canter Light-Duty Truck

Kawasaki - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading truck manufacturers, today unveiled the new “Canter” light-duty truck line. Representing a leap forward in light-duty truck design, the truck achieves “Environment”, “Economy”, and “Safety +α” on a high level with the first full model change in eight years. The new Canter light-duty truck is available at MFTBC-affiliated dealers and regional Sales Centers all over Japan from November 11. Following the launch in MFTBC’s home market, the new truck will roll out in export markets beginning in 2011.

“The Canter is a big part of Mitsubishi Fuso’s history, and the history of the light-duty transport industry,” said Dr. Albert Kirchmann, MFTBC President and CEO. “For half a century, the Canter has been a familiar product on streets and highways around the globe -- in Japan, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Since the first Canter in 1963, there have been seven generations with 5 million vehicles sold around the world, and today, the Canter is running in over 150 countries. Now, we unveil the eighth generation Canter, the first new generation since 2002, and a major revolution of the number one-selling product in Mitsubishi Fuso’s history.”

The new “Canter” was created according to a distinctive and holistic development process. It contains various “firsts” for Fuso and for the commercial truck industry. It is the first full model change of a light-duty truck to meet JP09 emission regulations (Japan Post New Long-Term Emission Regulations). Furthermore, the emissions of NOx and PM of the new Canter are 30% lower than required by the JP09 regulation. Also all of the series not only fulfills Japan’s 2015 fuel efficiency standard for heavy-duty vehicles (hereinafter “FES2015”), but over-fulfills it in the 2 to 7% range, achieving its class-topping low fuel consumption.

The new Canter incorporates a light and highly efficient three-liter “4P10” diesel engine with low fuel consumption; the BlueTec® emissions reduction system combining an urea selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system and regeneration-control diesel particulate filter (DPF), adopted in a light-duty truck for the first time in Japan; and the DUONIC^TM dual-clutch transmission, the first ever use of this type of transmission in a commercial truck in the world.

The interior and exterior designs have been renewed, with improvements of frame, suspension, brake system, and others, which have made the vehicle lightweight and enhanced safety performance.

MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks division of Daimler AG. Within the group, MFTBC is the light-duty truck competence center, taking responsibility in development and production of trucks in this class. Almost half a century has passed since the initial model of Canter was first launched in March 1963. Currently the Canter, with reliability and actual performance established, has the highest volume vehicle globally for Daimler Trucks.

The eighth generation Canter is released as the global strategic vehicle of Daimler Trucks looking at not only Japan but the international markets, achieving goals of environment, economy, and safety +α. The new vehicle appears in Japan ahead of the other markets in the world after four-and-half-year development period and durability tests with the total of 3.2 million kilometers all over the world.

The new Canter has been developed strictly conforming to “Commercial Vehicle Development System” commonly adopted by Daimler Trucks units around the world. This is the system in which ten open gates (quality gates) are set in the development process; unless all requirements for each gate are satisfied, we cannot go to the next step/process. By strictly abiding by this system, Mitsubishi Fuso was able to ensure high quality and reliability.

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2009, the company sold a total of about 99,500 vehicles including light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Daimler AG owns 85% of MFTBC shares and various Mitsubishi group companies own 15% of MFTBC shares. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.

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