SL first to receive new Fuso truck series
M F Jabir in Chennai
United Motors would introduce the new five Fuso truck models to Sri
Lanka in collaboration with the German owned Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and
Bus Corporation (MFTBC) Japan. The five all new Fuso truck series are
being built at the new Deimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt Ltd (DICV)
plant in Oragadam near Chennai in Southern India. Sri Lanka has been
picked as their first export market with United Motors as their local
strategic partner. The new Fuso series is scheduled to be launched in
Sri Lanka next month.
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Deimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt Ltd (DICV), launched
the all new Fuso truck series on May 23, meant for export to
selected 15 Asian and African markets beginning first from
Sri Lanka next month in its state-of-the-art Oragadam
factory in Chennai. Here Dr Albert Kirchman, with Marc
Llistosella, at the launch. Picture by M F Jabir |
The Fuso truck series meant only for export to selected 15 Asian and
African markets was unveiled on May 23 in its state-of-the-art Oragadam
factory in Chennai. The factory had been built with an investment of
Indian Rs 44 billion and could produce 70,000 units per annum. The
trucks consist of 90% Indian inputs with a 10% contribution from Japan.
The FUSO truck range manufactured at DICV Oragadam plant comprises 5
new models, the light-medium-duty (GVW 9-16 tons referred to as ?FA? & ?FI?)
and the medium-heavy-duty (GVW 25-49 tons referred to as ?FJ?, ?FO? & ?FZ?).
These trucks will be exported and sold through MFTBC's global network to
15 markets in Asia and Africa starting with Sri Lanka in June 2013.
Other markets include Bangladesh, Zambia, Kenya, Brunei, Indonesia,
Thailand, Malaysia, Tanzania, Malawi, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique,
Mauritius and the Seychelles, with further markets currently evaluated.
Strong focus on value chain expansion and international after sales push
will bring significant volumes for Daimler Trucks Asia.
The new Asia Business Model aims for a doubling of its Daimler Trucks
Asia sales (MFTBC and DICV combined) to over 290,000 units annually by
2020.
Speaking at the event Dr Albert Kirchman, President & CEO Mitsubishi
Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation & Head-Trucks Asia said that they have
150 centres all around the world and 17 new models had been introduced
increasing its presence in the Asian market.
He said they plan to sell 700,000 units in 2020 with a target of
500,000 units in 2015. Kirchman said, ?The strategy is to optimise the
production in our manufacturing plants both in Kawasaki and Chennai,
power the supplier base in India and achieve cost efficiency,? and added
?The Fuso trucks are meant only for exports. This year, we plan to
export 1,000 Fuso units.?
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