Mitsubishi Fuso heralds new era of trucking in Indonesia with introduction of the new Fighter medium-duty truck

March 1, 2018

• MFTBC introduces its medium-duty truck Fighter at the Gaikindo Commercial Vehicle Expo in Jakarta, Indonesia ahead of Euro 4 emission standards introduction in 2021
• Runner telematics providing real-time vehicle data via web-based system comes as standard feature
• After sales service to be enhanced with a new 24 hours call center and live chat messenger for non-stop customer service
• Together with its distributor PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors (KTB), Mitsubishi Fuso dominates the largest truck market in Southeast Asia
• Thomas Hilse, CEO, Regional Center Daimler Commercial Vehicles Southeast Asia: “As the global technological frontrunner in commercial vehicles, we are deeply committed to provide our customers with the edge to stay ahead of the competition in a rapidly transforming environment. With almost half a century of consecutive market leadership in Indonesia, we are therefore especially proud to introduce our medium-duty Fighter, delivering power, efficiency and comfort to one of our oldest and largest export markets worldwide.”
• Konstantin Kriegelsteiner, KTB Director of Product Strategy: “Improved infrastructure and enhanced professionalization of the commercial vehicle sector call for a competitive medium-duty truck in the Indonesian market. With our FUSO products and Runner Telematics, we are offering the ideal solution tailored to our local customers to support them in building up and managing their modern fleets to face the challenges of tomorrow.”

Kawasaki, Japan   MFTBC   Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer under the umbrella of Daimler Trucks Asia (DTA), today unveiled its medium-duty truck Fighter at the Gaikindo Commercial Vehicle Expo in Jakarta, Indonesia.

With the Fighter, Mitsubishi Fuso strives to satisfy the increasing demand for medium-duty trucks in Indonesia facilitated by improvements in infrastructure throughout the archipelago. At the Gaikindo Commercial Vehicle Expo in Jakarta – exclusively dedicated to commercial vehicles for the first time – Thomas Hilse, CEO, Regional Center Daimler Commercial Vehicles Southeast Asia, said: “As the global technological frontrunner in commercial vehicles, we are deeply committed to provide our customers with the edge to stay ahead of the competition in a rapidly transforming environment. With almost half a century of consecutive market leadership in Indonesia, we are therefore especially proud to introduce our medium-duty Fighter, delivering power, efficiency and comfort to one of our oldest and largest export markets worldwide.”

The Fighter for Indonesia will include features for highest comfort including self-adjusting air suspension seats, and an ergonomic interior and exterior design, identical to the latest designs in Japan, offering smart storage solutions and a curved cockpit for better accessibility.
Moreover, Runner Telematics provided by KTB will be installed as standard, allowing customers to easily manage and monitor their fleets via laptop, tablet and mobile phone. The system comprises features such as real-time monitoring as well as vehicle management including usage management and maintenance. To provide non-stop service for customers, Mitsubishi Fuso’s after sales service is further enhanced with a 24 hours call center and live chat messenger.

Within the next three years, customers will be able to choose from a total of 16 variants (4×2, 6×2, 6×4) with various wheelbases, a GVW of 16 or 26 tons and an output of 240 or 270 hp. The truck has been extensively tested for local conditions in Indonesia. Typical use cases will include operations in plantations, construction and logistics. Moreover, the Fighter will offer fleets the best total cost of ownership (TCO).

The Fighter will be shipped as knock-down kits (KD) from MFTBC in Japan and locally assembled at the PT Krama Yudha Ratu Motor (KRM) facility in East Jakarta, Indonesia. FUSO has been the market leader in Indonesia for 47 consecutive years. In 2017, FUSO celebrated a sales milestone of one million light-duty Canter trucks – locally known as the Colt Diesel – since the 1970s. In the same year, Daimler Trucks unit sales in Indonesia amounted to 42,700 units, a significant increase from 28,000 units in 2016. FUSO products in Indonesia are distributed through the local PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors (KTB) in a joint venture with Mitsubishi Corporation.

The Indonesian market is rapidly developing, gradually increasing the need for technologically sophisticated commercial vehicles among fleet owners. The introduction of the latest Fighter medium-duty truck underlines that Mitsubishi Fuso is committed to provide these advanced vehicles and solutions to customers in Indonesia.

Media Contact
Florian Laudan, Head of Communications, Daimler Trucks Asia
Phone: +81 44 330-7970 e-mail: florian.laudan@daimler.com

Humza Ahmad, Manager, International and Domestic PR, Corporate Communications, MFTBC
Phone: +81 44 330-7857 e-mail: humza.ahmad@daimler.com

FUSO at a Glance
FUSO is a Daimler Truck brand, covering nearly all regions around the world. FUSO’s light-duty to heavy-duty trucks (GVW 3.5 49 tons), vans, industrial engines, and buses are sold in more than 170 markets. The FUSO brand is based on four core brand values; Trusted Quality, Economic Efficiency, Solid & Functional Design, and Committed Services.

Daimler Trucks Asia at a Glance
Daimler Trucks Asia (DTA) is an organizational unit that jointly operates Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC)   an icon of the Japanese commercial vehicle industry with more than 80 years of history   and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a young challenger in the Indian market.  DTA has a strategic business model that allows its group entities to collaborate in product development, production, exports, sourcing and research activity to provide the best of value products.

MFTBC at a Glance
Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2016, the company sold a total of 130,000 vehicles including light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and buses under the FUSO brand, with 89.29% of its shares owned by Daimler AG and10.71% by various Mitsubishi group companies. MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks division of Daimler AG.