•	Overall Sales Up 64.6% to 92,944 units, January to June 2012
•	Market Offensive in Japan, Up 73.7% to 18,590 units
•	Growth in International Markets, Up 62.5% to 74,354 Units Outside of Japan
•	Sales in Southeast Asia, Up 73.2% to 43,408 units
•	Moving Ahead with Sales Offensive under FUSO 2015 “Profitable Global Player” and “Customer Number One in Japan”

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 64.6% in the first half of 2012 to 92,944 units (Jan.-June 2011: 56,454 units). Coming out of the earthquake crisis in 2011, Fuso’s sales in its home market of Japan significantly increased by 73.7% in 2012 to 18,590 units (Jan.-June, 2011: 10,705 units), also representing an overall increase in market share up to 21.2% through the period January to June 2012 (Jan.-June 2011 Japan total truck and bus market share: 20.3%). In international markets outside of Japan, Fuso sold 74,354 units, a 62.5% improvement year-over-year (Jan.-June. 2011: 45,749 units). The positive first half results prove overall good customer response to Fuso products and reflect Fuso’s sales offensive under the company’s 5-pillar growth strategy FUSO 2015.

“We are moving ahead with our offensive in the global markets under FUSO 2015 and have achieved significant progress in terms of increasing market share in many segments and in key growth markets,” said Dr. Albert Kirchmann, MFTBC President & CEO and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia. “Moving ahead in 2012 under ‘FUSO 2015,’ we plan to further make our offensive drive in the global markets based on our aspiration to become the regional champion defined under ‘Daimler Trucks Number One.’ We have taken our operation to the next level and are ready to create new cross-business initiatives to further leverage our benefits of global scale to turn them into profits.”

Mr. Kai-Uwe Seidenfuss, Senior Vice President of Sales & After Sales Fuso referred to the overall global market trend, “We have strong sales rise in many Asian markets, Latin America, the Middle East, and key markets in Africa. While the U.S. market is showing signs of moderation, the European market remains volatile. Despite the regional economic challenges in addition to the ongoing strong yen affecting our global business, we are determined to push our sales and after sales business by leveraging the Daimler Trucks network and global footprint, overall, allowing us to serve each market better.”

Mr. Akio Suehiro, MFTBC Senior Vice President of Mitsubishi Fuso Sales Japan, explained the strong momentum taking place in its home market of Japan:

“Under FUSO 2015 ‘Customer Number One in Japan,’ we are committed to enhancing our presence and increasing our potential to the fullest. Our ultimate goal is to create superior value for our customers, based on leading products and excellent services. We believe the first half sales results is indeed a sign of customer confidence in our products, and we intend to keep this momentum through the next half.”

MFTBC’s sales in its home market of Japan significantly increased, up 73.7% in the first half of 2012 to 18,590 units (Jan.-June. 2011: 10,705 units), representing an increase in overall truck and bus market share up to 21.2% (Jan.-June 2011 domestic total truck and bus market share: 20.3%). The company is positive about its customers’ response to Fuso’s industry leading fuel-efficient product offerings. In the first half of 2012, Fuso completed update of its Japan truck and bus lines, now incorporating new safety features compliant to the latest regulations enforced in Japan. Fuso intends to further strengthen its leadership position in offering integrated solutions, reflecting Fuso’s leading position in Total Cost of Ownership.

In international markets outside the company’s home market of Japan, Fuso sold 74,354 units (Jan.-June. 2011: 45,749 units), a 62.5% improvement year-over-year.

Major factors in MFTBC’s strong results in 2012 were strong growth in Southeast Asia, the company’s largest export region, the Middle East, and Africa.

In Southeast Asia, sales increased 73.2% to 43,408 units (Jan.-June 2011: 25,067). Sales in Indonesia reached 40,702 units, up 76.5% (Jan.-June 2011: 23,064 units). The market momentum was also fueled by new product introductions including the FV-R Super Great heavy-duty truck and the Fighter medium-duty truck launched for the market in late 2011.

In the Middle East, sales were up 120.8% to 10,641 units (Jan.-June, 2011: 4,819 units) through the first six months. Sales in U.A.E. increased significantly to 7,056 units (Jan.-June 2011: 2,338 units), a 201.8% growth year-over-year.

The African markets also showed positive momentum, up 161.5% to 4,584 units (Jan.-June 2011: 1,753 units). Sales in Morocco and Kenya marked a three-digit improvement over 2011, with sales reaching 2,108 units and 1,052 units respectively.

Sales in North America were up 62.4% to 2,045 units (Jan.-June 2011: 1,259 units).

In Europe including Turkey, sales developed positively, up by 4.1% to 3,818 units (Jan.-June 2011: 3,666 units) despite the economic situation. Sales in Russia significantly increased to 1,020 units (Jan.-June 2011: 408 units), up by 150%.

In Australia/Pacific, sales slightly decreased by 2.9% to 2,041 units (Jan.-June 2011: 2,102 units) in the first half of 2012, but the company intends to reinforce its market presence in the later half of the year by new product introductions including the all-new Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck for the market.

The company plans to introduce the world’s most fuel-efficient Canter Eco Hybrid into other international markets, to Europe in the third quarter 2012, and other markets by the end of 2012.

With its growth strategy FUSO 2015, MFTBC has embarked on a clear company initiative aimed at increasing operational excellence in all aspects. It is based on 5 strategic pillars, including ‘Leader in Green Innovation,’ ‘Profitable Global Player,’ ‘Efficiency Leader,’ ‘Customer Number One in Japan,’ and ‘Employer Number One.’

As major initiatives are underway, the new setup is an example of key developments in two areas:

With ‘Customer Number One Japan’, the company aims to significantly increase customer satisfaction through further focus on product satisfaction, trust-based sales and dependable service, on the foundation of its industry leading fuel-efficient products.

At the same time, with its pillar ‘Profitable Global Player’, MFTBC aims for significant increase in global sales, including an overall target to double international sales volume to over 200,000 units annually, while ensuring a strong home base.

FUSO 2015 is a holistic improvement program, encompassing all parts of the business. It addresses major drivers to grow the business in all aspects, building on the cost and efficiency gains of its realignment program.

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2011, the company sold a total of about 147,700 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.