Mitsubishi Fuso’s Rosa Light Bus Celebrates 50th Anniversary

Kawasaki, Japan - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, today announced the 50th anniversary of its Rosa bus. The famous light bus began production half a century ago, and today is used in various applications including kindergarten buses, special welfare vehicles and camping cars. It is available in Japan and also exported to more than 40 countries worldwide.

About the First-Generation Rosa

Production of the first Rosa light bus started at the then Nagoya Automobile Works Oye Plant in September 1960. At the time, the demand for light buses for private use was rising as a means of passenger transportation. The first Rosa “B10” Model (with 21-passenger capacity) was launched in December of that year.

The Rosa B10 Model was recognized for its unique rounded styling and brought several firsts to the market. It incorporated Japan’s first rivet-less body, meaning that its structure was welded without using rivets, as opposed to a process using rivets to join the sheet metals. The rivet-less approach made the bus lighter and its appearance smoother. The B10 also featured first hydromaster (vacuum power doubling device) for a light bus. Moreover, it earned a positive reputation through its enhanced braking safety, 7.8 km/l fuel economy and great mobility to turn in a small radius.

Production Figures

From its initial positive reception, the Rosa’s reputation grew thanks to its reliability and performance. By 1997, production reached 100,000 units. As of December 1, 2010, production had exceeded 175,700 units, and the bus remains very popular in Japan and export markets.

Rosa Production Now Underway at Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing

In June 2010, MFTBC consolidated its Oye Plant operations into MFTBC’s subsidiary, Mitsubishi Fuso Bus Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (MFBM), thereby shifting Rosa production to MFBM’s production location in Toyama, Japan. At the Toyama plant, MFBM now produces Mitsubishi Fuso’s full line-up of buses including the Rosa light bus, Aero Star route bus (city transportation) and Aero Queen and Aero Ace large touring buses (sightseeing, touring, inter-city transportation). Most of these models are sold only in Japan, but the Rosa bus has a significant export presence in parts of Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.

The Toyama plant, with a 176,900 square-meter site area and 52,000 square-meter floor area, opened in 1993. Today, it employs 670 people.

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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