•	First Hybrid Truck in Europe to Pay Off Economically: Impressive Total Cost of Ownership – World Champion Fuel Efficiency, 10-Year Battery Warranty, and Replacement-Free Dual-Clutch Transmission DUONIC®
•	Also on Display at IAA: Diesel-Powered Canter Euro 5 Trucks with Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle (EEV) Qualification
•	Hybrid Model Consumes Up to 23% Less Fuel vs. Conventional Diesel-Powered Model
•	Series Production at Tramagal, Portugal: Sales in Major Western European Markets in Third Quarter 2012, Other Countries to Follow in Succession
•	Fuso Extending Leadership Position in Advanced Technology under FUSO 2015 “Leader in Green Innovation”

Kawasaki - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, today launched its new Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck for the European markets at the 64th IAA (Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung) for Commercial Vehicles, one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle exhibitions, open September 20-27, 2012, in Hanover, Germany. Also showcased at the show are six variants of its renowned diesel-powered Canter light-duty truck. In total, Fuso is exhibiting eight Canter vehicles, incorporating world champion eco-friendly powertrain; light, highly efficient three-liter “4P10” diesel engine with low fuel consumption; and the DUONIC® dual-clutch transmission in combination with a hybrid motor, the first ever fusion of such technologies in the world.

“The all-new Canter Eco Hybrid launched today for the European markets is the latest innovation of our Daimler Trucks Global Hybrid Center located in Kawasaki, Japan, and is the proof of our commitment to lead the industry in game-changing innovation,” said Dr. Albert Kirchmann, MFTBC President & CEO and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia. “Since 2006, the Canter Eco Hybrid has earned a reputation as the world’s most fuel-efficient hybrid light-duty truck. We are convinced that the second generation will bring a whole new dimension to the overall transport industry. Under ‘Leader in Green Innovation,’ one of the five main pillars of our growth strategy FUSO 2015, we strive to become an even greener company.”

Mr. Kai-Uwe Seidenfuss, MFTBC Senior Vice President of Sales & Aftersales Fuso, explained, “Fuso now offers a product that provides a breakeven for the hybridization already within a few years for a typical user in Europe. Combined with an excellent warranty package, the Canter Eco Hybrid achieves excellent marketability. Starting today, we are convinced that the hybrid versions will become a major part of both the product portfolio and sales activities for Fuso and for the industry.”

The hybrid truck was created according to a distinctive and holistic development process under its concept of achieving highest performance in environment, economy, and safety, and contains various “firsts” for Fuso and for the commercial truck industry.

According to Mr. Gustav Tuschen, MFTBC Senior Vice President of Product Engineering, the Canter Eco Hybrid is the first hybrid truck in Europe to pay off economically and incorporates a world’s first technology, combination of DUONIC® dual-clutch transmission with a built-in hybrid motor. “This technological innovation brings world champion fuel efficiency and clean emissions. Compared with its already fuel-efficient diesel-powered Canter light-duty truck, the hybrid version for the European markets consumes up to 23% less fuel. Under “Leader in Green Innovation,” we continue our offensive in advanced propulsion systems like hybrid and electric. Fuso is clearly ahead in these fields, and we keep our commitment to extend our leadership, which overall, will benefit our customers in terms of lower total cost of ownership.”

•	World’s first to incorporate a dual-clutch transmission, DUONIC®, in combination with built-in hybrid motor
•	World champion fuel efficiency: The new Canter Eco Hybrid uses up to 23 percent less fuel than a comparable conventional Canter diesel model
•	Five-year guarantee to all the main battery components, which can even be optionally extended to ten years.
•	Industry-leading clean emissions: The environment will benefit from a reduction in CO2 emissions of several tons and significantly lower noise levels
•	Compact, high performance laminate-type lithium (Li)-ion battery contributing to overall vehicle performance and lower fuel consumption

•	World’s first dual-clutch transmission, DUONIC®, with built-in hybrid motor
•	Smooth and seamless gear change without shock or torque interruption
•	Newly introduced high-output, high-revolution motor, generating optimum torque and recuperation forces at every gear/speed
•	High power motor with a maximum output of 40 kW (200 Nm)
•	Technology supporting the overall truck to achieve even more CO2reduction and fuel efficiency

The first generation Canter Eco Hybrid, a hybrid diesel-electric light-duty truck, first went on sale in Japan in July 2006, with export to selected international markets beginning in 2009. The second generation Canter Eco Hybrid now launched at the IAA for the European markets was introduced in Japan earlier this year in May 2012. Incorporating world’s first innovation, combination of a dual-clutch transmission, DUONIC®, with a hybrid motor, the Canter Eco Hybrid achieves world champion fuel efficiency, making it the first hybrid truck in Europe to pay off economically. Production will begin at the company’s facility located in Tramagal, Portugal. Sales in the major western European markets will begin in the third quarter of 2012, with other countries to follow in succession.

MFTBC is displaying six units of the Canter for the European market. The vehicle meets the strict Euro 5 emissions standards while delivering high efficiency to customers. It also qualifies as an Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle (EEV). As an EEV, it exceeds the Euro 5 emissions standard – in the case of particulate emissions, for example, by as much as 30%. Currently the most stringent level of exhaust control beyond Euro 5, EEV has been achieved as a voluntary measure.

The Canter Euro 5 with EEV incorporates the new 4P10 diesel engine with top-of-the-range for the 3-liter unit delivering an output of 129 kW. The BlueTec® aftertreament system for significant emissions reductions and fuel economy is also included. BlueTec® is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.

Located within MFTBC’s operations in Kawasaki, Japan, the GHC is the worldwide hub for Daimler Trucks hybrid vehicle development. It is charged with synchronizing Daimler Trucks’ global hybrid efforts including activities at Daimler Trucks North America in the NAFTA region and Mercedes-Benz Trucks in Europe.

MFTBC has sold over 1,300 Fuso Canter Eco hybrid light-duty trucks globally since the launch in 2006.

In August 2008, MFTBC launched a three-year evaluation of Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty trucks operating in London. MFTBC delivered ten Canter Eco Hybrids to eight customers in London to examine the use of the 7.5-ton hybrid trucks by customers and demonstrate the diesel-electric hybrid drive's high level of efficiency. Depending on its particular application, the Canter Eco Hybrid has used around 10 to 15 percent less fuel than a conventional light-duty truck, with correspondingly lower CO₂ emissions.

In late 2009, Fuso began international sales of hybrid trucks, providing vehicles to customers outside Japan for the first time. First international customers included Electricity Supply Board (ESB), an Irish electric utility based in Dublin, and Star Track Express, an Australian express delivery company based in the Sydney area. In 2010, Fuso also entered the Hong Kong market with hybrid trucks. In 2012, the company is making its international roll-out of its all-new Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck starting first with the European markets.

In late 2011, GHC unveiled its concept study of hybrid heavy-duty truck, Super Great Eco Hybrid and has demonstrated significant fuel efficiency of more than 10% fuel efficiency improvements over conventional diesel-only vehicles. The hybrid Super Great in development features a conventional diesel engine; electric motor/generator; lithium (Li)-ion battery; and related control software. These are configured in a parallel hybrid system.

Mitsubishi Fuso’s continuing efforts in hybrid development are part of the “Shaping Future Transportation” initiative of Daimler Trucks and Daimler Buses. This initiative is aimed at redoubling ongoing efforts to achieve a major reduction in the fuel consumption and exhaust emissions of commercial vehicles. “Shaping Future Transportation” encompasses alternative drive system initiatives across various commercial vehicle brands. The aim of this initiative is to turn the zero-emission commercial vehicle of tomorrow into reality with efficient and clean drive systems and alternative fuels. Hybrid technology plays a key role in these vehicles, as it can reduce diesel consumption by up to 30 percent, depending on the application.

The all-new Canter Eco Hybrid represents a key milestone in achieving “FUSO 2015,” the company’s five-pillar growth strategy for the future introduced in October 2011. One of the five pillars is “Leader in Green Innovation,” meaning the company focuses on advances in Green Products, Green Factory and Infrastructure and Green Supply Chain to achieve an aggregate CO₂ reduction of 7.5% by 2015.

The company plans to further enhance its fuel efficiency leadership position in conventionally-powered diesel vehicles, while pushing forward with advanced technologies like hybrid-electric and all-electric vehicles.

The 5 pillars under FUSO 2015, the company’s holistic improvement program aimed to increase operational excellence in all aspects, are: ‘Leader in Green Innovation,’ ‘Profitable Global Player,’ ‘Efficiency Leader,’ ‘Customer Number One in Japan,’ and ‘Employer Number One in Our Industry and Our Markets.’ Through FUSO 2015, the company aims for significant increase in global sales, including an overall target to double international sales volume to over 200,000 units annually.

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.