Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers and an integral part of Daimler Trucks, is participating in the 40th Tokyo Motor Show 2007 with an exhibit outlining the company’s current and future vision for commercial vehicles.
Under the theme, “All for You,” Mitsubishi Fuso is introducing a new hybrid concept truck and displaying its latest heavy-duty truck and new sightseeing bus for the Japan market. The Mitsubishi Fuso exhibit also includes technology/component displays including a prototype for the future application of Daimler Trucks’ Heavy-Duty Engine Platform for MFTBC vehicles and a 12-speed mechanical automatic transmission. Andreas Renschler, Member of the Daimler Board of Management and Head of Daimler Trucks, emphasized on the occasion of the Tokyo Motor Show the importance of the Mitsubishi Fuso brand and the Asian region: “Asia is one of the most attractive commercial vehicles markets with strong potential growth in demand. Fuso achieves the Number one market share in key Asia markets like Indonesia with a 60% share; Taiwan with almost 50% and Singapore with one third of the market.”
Renschler continued: “We see positive developments in unit sales. With the overseas business continuing to accelerate, we are on track to exceed last year’s sales performance of 186,600 units.”
Premiere of the “Canter Eco-D”
The innovative “Canter Eco-D” vision, unveiled at the Show, is a view to further uses of hybrid technology in commercial vehicles. The new Canter Eco-D shows that hybrid systems can bring distinct advantages to urban dump truck applications. Above and beyond its low emissions, the truck incorporates numerous advanced concepts for commercial vehicle styling, safety and functionality.
In addition to its parallel hybrid drive system, a unique feature of the Canter Eco-D is its use of the electric motor for the power take-off to operate the dump body. This approach significantly reduces emissions and noise. The Canter Eco-D joins a series of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) developments from Mitsubishi Fuso. On a production basis, the company already offers the Aero Star Eco Hybrid large-sized route bus and the Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck. MFTBC is the Hybrid Center within Daimler Trucks.
New Super Great
Mitsubishi Fuso’s exhibit at the Tokyo Motor also includes a special version of the Super Great heavy-duty truck for Japan.
Based on the new generation Super Great launched in April of this year, the show model on display includes specifications for high fuel economy at highway speeds. It includes a high torque engine and the new 12-speed INOMAT-II mechanical automatic transmission. The engine incorporates an urea SCR (selective catalytic reduction) system to reduce emissions.
In addition to these efficient, high performance core components, the Super Great show truck features a range of added safety equipment, including the MDAS-III system to monitor driver alertness, a distance warning system, and the Eco Fleet Pro eco-driving management system (prototype).
New Aero Queen
Representing Mitsubishi Fuso’s recently updated bus product line at the Tokyo Motor Show is the new Aero Queen. Introduced in June, this is the first full-line change of this heavy-duty sightseeing bus in 15 years. The new series completely renews both exterior and interior design, featuring a universal Fuso style.
The new interior design is comfortable with attention to detail throughout, and with emphasis on safety and accessibility. On the performance side, an urea SCR system is adopted for emissions control. Coupled with an improved engine, both NOx (nitrogen oxide) and PM (particulate matter) are reduced.
Prototype for future Heavy-Duty Engine Platform application in Fuso vehicles, New Transmission
Complementing Mitsubishi Fuso’s exhibition of its latest concept and production vehicles are displays of the latest major vehicle components, including a future heavy-duty engine and a new transmission.
On display in the Fuso exhibit is a full-scale, prototype engine for upcoming heavy-duty trucks. The future heavy-duty engine platform, being developed within the global Daimler Trucks engineering organization, will incorporate world class technology to achieve excellent fuel economy, dynamic performance, low emissions, high reliability and optimal maintainability. Representing a key member of a new heavy-duty engine family which Daimler Trucks is developing on a global basis, it will provide significant operating advantages for Mitsubishi Fuso truck customers.
The first engine application of the Heavy-Duty Engine Platform, the Detroit Diesel DD 15, was launched on October 19 in Redford, Michigan/ USA, for the Daimler Trucks brands in the NAFTA region.
In addition to this advanced preview of its future heavy-duty engine, Mitsubishi Fuso is also highlighting the newly-developed 12-speed INOMAT-II (mechanical automatic transmission). The transmission, designed to help optimize efficiency and driver comfort, also results from a collaboration with Daimler Trucks.
75th anniversary of the Mitsubishi Fuso brand
A complementary topic at the Tokyo Motor Show is the 75th anniversary of the Fuso brand name. Three-quarters of a century ago, the Fuso name was first applied to a bus built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Kobe Shipyard and Machine Works. Today, the Fuso name is renowned in Asia and around the world, while MFTBC itself is part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.
About MFTBC
Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2006, the company sold a total of about 186,600 vehicles including light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses.
Daimler AG owns 85% of MFTBC shares. The remaining 15% of shares are held by various Mitsubishi group companies. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks Division of Daimler AG.
