•	Enhanced Asian operations plays pivotal role in global success

Kawasaki, Japan - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, today announced Daimler Trucks’ Asian focus strategy to ensure its number one position.

As an industry leader over several decades, Daimler Trucks, the world’s largest commercial vehicles group, continually innovates to provide both path-breaking and optimal trucking solutions based on evolving customer requirements. Building on its success, and in order to ensure its number one position, the company has put into place a strong forward-looking program named “DT#1 (Daimler Trucks No. 1)” that addresses all the markets it is involved in.

A strong new Asian strategy is part of this program involving two Daimler Trucks entities in Asia – MFTBC headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan, and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Private Limited (DICV), based in Chennai, India. In fact, Daimler Trucks’ Asian focus evolved very early, and DICV was established to strengthen the group’s positioning in Asia. While MFTBC was already well-established and had been serving Japan and other Asian markets over a long time, India emerged as a strong new focus market. India is also clearly set to be a global focus for cost-efficient high quality engineering.

Dr. Albert Kirchmann, MFTBC President & CEO and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia, said, “Asia will clearly lead our way in the coming years, not just in demand for trucks but also as a hub for our global operations. Daimler has already established a firm presence in India by combining a strong 80-year brand “FUSO” and a state-of-the-art green field facility in India. Leading brands, cutting-edge technologies, strong customer-focused product portfolio, strong distributor network, and highly inspired people are the core strengths which Daimler Trucks possesses to remain the leader. We see ourselves in a very advantageous position.”

Mr. Marc Llistosella, DICV Managing Director & CEO, said, “In 2005 when the first blueprint was being drawn, besides realizing that India would be the second largest truck market, we realized that India would actually become an important hub for our strength in Asia. However, our primary focus was to clearly leverage Daimler Trucks’ capabilities to suit the needs of Indian trucking. Towards this, we have invested our energies. In the meantime, we have gained the capability to fulfill our Asian outlook.”

Fuso’s performance in 2012, a third-in-a-row growth year reflects the company’s success especially in its stronghold in Southeast Asia, in the Middle East, and in Africa. Sales in Indonesia, the company’s largest export market with increasing competitive attention reached a third-year-in-a-row record high, 67,932 units, up 10.1%, once again demonstrating its leadership position in the market. Sales were also up in other Asia stronghold markets, such as in Taiwan, the company’s second largest export market, in Malaysia, and in Thailand. The company continued to prove its momentum in the Middle East and in Africa with sales increasing 63.1% to 24,201 units and 88.7% to 8,046 units respectively.

Customers’ response to Fuso’s eco-friendly and fuel-efficient products were key driving factors in this positive sales development. Its renowned Canter light-duty truck has recently celebrating its 50th birthday since 1963, achieving more than 3.7 million units sold worldwide to date.

Moving ahead in 2013, Fuso continues to pave the way. Fuso continues to increase its momentum with a series of product offensive, including new segment entries and introduction of new product variants. A highlight will be the continuing launch of its all-new Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck in international markets. Fuso is active in more than 130 markets worldwide.

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.”

Under “Profitable Global Player,” MFTBC aims for significant increase in global sales, including an overall target to significantly increase its international sales while ensuring a strong home base in Japan and Asia.

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 2012, the company sold a total of about 174,000 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.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd (DICV), a 100% subsidiary of Daimler AG, was established to harness the potential of the India Truck market. To this end it conducted exhaustive studies on the Indian conditions related to customers, terrain and future possibilities. As a result, today, DICV has established a strong brand of trucks based on established ‘Daimler Trucks Technical Platforms’.