Mitsubishi Fuso Global Sales Increase Over 40 Percent in 2010
As Recovery Takes Hold

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 41.3% in 2010 to 140,681 units (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 99,543 units). The growth was driven by strong international sales: outside the company’s home market of Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso sold 115,894 units, a 51.6% improvement year-over-year (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 76,452 units). However, Japan sales also grew in 2010, up 7.3% in 2010 to 24,787 units (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 23,091 units).

Dr. Albert Kirchmann, MFTBC President and CEO, said, “In 2010, Mitsubishi Fuso global sales strongly recovered from the crisis year 2009, with most world markets showing significant year-over-year improvement. The major sales increase was due to improving economic conditions, our strong presence in emerging markets and enthusiastic customer response to a major Fuso product offensive. For 2011, we remain optimistic about further growth, and will continue to roll-out major new products and enter new segments in key markets globally.”

Growth in International Markets

A major factor in MFTBC’s strong results in 2010 was a significant sales increase in Southeast Asia, the company’s largest export region, but MFTBC achieved growth in almost all major international sales regions in 2010.

In Southeast Asia, sales increased 66.1% to 60,281 units (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 36,294 units). Sales in Indonesia reached a record 55,728 units, an 82.5% improvement (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 30,540 units).

In the Middle East, MFTBC’s second largest export region, sales increased 17.2% to 16,556 units in 2010 (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 14,131 units).

In Europe including Turkey, sales significantly increased to 12,525 units, up by 224.2% (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 3,863 units).

In Africa, sales increased 21.7% to 8,518 units (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 7,002 units).

In other international markets including Northeast Asia, North America and Latin America, sales also moved strongly off the low levels of 2009, in some cases more than doubling year-over-year.

Positive Development in the Japan Market

MFTBC’s home market of Japan developed positively but continued at a low level in 2010. The company’s domestic Japan sales increased 7.3% in 2010 to 24,787 units (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 23,091 units).

The Japan sales increase was supported by series of new product launches. In 2010, Mitsubishi Fuso updated almost its entire Japan product line. Major launches included the new Super Great heavy-duty truck and the latest generation Canter light-duty truck, both equipped with advanced BlueTec® emissions control system. The new Canter, Mitsubishi Fuso’s best-selling truck globally, is the first light-duty truck in Japan equipped with BlueTec® emissions control system and is the first commercial truck in the world to incorporate a dual-clutch transmission, DUONIC™.

Continuing Product Offensive in 2011, Entering New Markets

Mitsubishi Fuso’s strong sales recovery in 2010 was fueled in part by a major product offensive. The company introduced more than 25 new products or product changes in 2010. This dynamic will continue in 2011 .Mitsubishi Fuso plans to introduce more than 20 new products or product changes in 2011. A highlight will be the international launch of the new Canter. This year, the product will debut in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia, among other markets. It will roll out in more than 40 new markets by the end of 2012.

Mitsubishi Fuso also plans to continue to expand its global footprint in 2011. Last year, the company entered new markets including Russia, Pakistan, Cambodia and Laos. The company will continue its expansion in 2011 and will announce new market entries through the course of the year. MFTBC 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 2010, the company sold a total of about 140,700 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.