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PRESS RELEASE

Mitsubishi Fuso Launches New Canter Light-Duty Truck in Hong Kong,
Continuing Overall International Product Offensive

September 20, 2011

•  Ongoing International Market Roll-out of Advanced, Efficient Vehicle
•  First Commercial Truck in Hong Kong to Incorporate Dual-Clutch Transmission
•  Combination of BlueTec® Emissions Reduction System with Fuel Efficient Engines Contributing to Lower Total Cost of Ownership
•  Mitsubishi Fuso the Number-One Commercial Vehicle Brand in Key Regional Markets in Asia

Kawasaki, Japan - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading truck manufacturers, has announced the launch of its new, Euro 5-compliant “Canter” light-duty truck for the Hong Kong market. This marks the fourth international market launch of the world’s most advanced, fuel-efficient and low emissions vehicle, following its debuts in North America, Australia, and New Zealand in 2011.

The new Canter is being unveiled to dealers, customers and members of the media at an event at the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.

“Our team has been looking forward to this memorable day in bringing the all-new Canter light-duty truck to the Hong Kong market,” said Mr. Kai-Uwe Seidenfuss, MFTBC Vice President of Sales & Service International. “Now, it’s time for our customers to enjoy owning this advanced new vehicle, by every dimension, a revolutionary truck that brings real competitive advantages including total cost of ownership. Our experience and customer feedback from our markets make us fully confident of our success in Hong Kong.”

The new Canter will be distributed in Hong Kong and Macau through a dedicated Fuso sales organization headquartered in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

New Canter: Various “Firsts” for Fuso and the Hong Kong Market

The new Canter introduced today is the eighth generation of the renowned light-duty truck and the first new generation for the Hong Kong market since March 2005.

It brings various “firsts” for Fuso and the Hong Kong market. These include the first commercial truck in the world and Hong Kong to incorporate a dual-clutch transmission, DUONIC® (6-speed automated dual clutch-type manual transmission); and the company’s first use of the BlueTec® emissions reduction system in the market.

Leading features of the new generation Canter include:


•  Achieving EEV (voluntary European emissions standard, more stringent than Euro 5).
•  New 3-liter “4P10” diesel engine with low fuel consumption.
•  DUONIC® dual-clutch transmission, the first ever use of an automated dual clutch-type manual transmission in a commercial truck in the world.
•  Renewed interior and exterior design, recognized with the Good Design Award 2010 by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO).
•  Vehicle weight reduction up to 150 kg through design optimization mainly on chassis, delivering higher payload.

Overall, the new truck is designed to achieve lowest total cost of ownership through its new integrated powertrain, enhanced product durability, higher payload capacity and extended maintenance interval.

Mitsubishi Fuso in Hong Kong and Other Regional Markets

Mitsubishi Fuso is one of the leading commercial vehicle brands in Hong Kong with a market share of about 11% in 2010 (Jan.-Dec. retail sales: 492 units). Overall, the company is the number one brand in several key markets in Asia including Taiwan and Indonesia, with market shares of 52% and 49%, respectively (2010 full-year market shares).

In 2010, Mitsubishi Fuso experienced strong growth in most parts of Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia, where the company is the leading commercial vehicle brand overall. Southeast Asia sales increased 66.1% to 60,281 units (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 36,294 units) in 2010. Sales in Indonesia reached a record 55,728 units, an 82.5% improvement (Jan.-Dec. 2009: 30,540 units).

More International Launches to Come

Following today’s market introduction, MFTBC plans to further roll out the new generation Canter in key international markets, with plans to be introduced in more than 40 new markets by the end of 2012.



New Canter Light-Duty Truck


About MFTBC

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.



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