Mitsubishi Fuso premieres the new light-duty Canter truck in Japan

・First light-duty truck in Japan to be installed with the advanced safety feature Active Sideguard Assist

・Cab face renewed after 10 years with a sleek but powerful aesthetic

・Installed with Truckonnect, FUSO’s telematics system

・Smooth cabin access and engine starting with the FUSO Easy Access System

Kawasaki, Japan – Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers under the umbrella of Daimler Trucks Asia, announces the world premiere of the new light-duty Canter truck. The new model, which comes with a redesigned cab, will be available through MFTBC retail locations across Japan from November 2020.

The new Canter is the first light-duty truck in Japan to come standard with the advanced safety feature Active Sideguard Assist®**. Active Sideguard Assist detects pedestrians or other vehicles on the left side of the truck through radar sensors. This safety feature emits alerts whenever it detects any risk of collision when the driver is steering to the left or has turned on the left-turn signal. In addition to the Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) already included in the previous model, the newly installed Active Sideguard Assist enables further safety support. The installment of Active Sideguard Assist in this new Canter means all truck models available in the Japanese market now come with the feature.

The new Canter also features a redesigned face that combines historical brand design cues, an agility reflective of light-duty transport, and a “Modern and Solid” concept. The upgrade of the cab exterior also reflects FUSO’s Black Belt design identity, which runs through other vehicles in the Japanese product range. The sleek lines of the cab integrate LED headlights and represent both a technological and conceptual update after ten years. This makes the Canter the third vehicle in the FUSO lineup to be renewed with the Black Belt design identity, following the Aero Queen and Aero Ace as well as the Rosa.

Additionally, the updated model is installed with the FUSO telematics platform Truckonnect®, which aims to support customer fleet operations and vehicle management. Truckonnect remotely connects to vehicles and monitors data such as location, fuel efficiency, and operation status including any technical issues. The information detected from the vehicle is shared real-time with MFTBC’s Customer Assistance Center (CAC) around the clock. Truckonnect has already been introduced to FUSO’s heavy-duty and medium-duty trucks, as well as the all-electric eCanter. In cases where any risk of failure is detected, the necessary support can be provided through the CAC, including service provision timelines and maintenance guidance.

To support light-duty truck drivers who require frequent and easy access to the cabin for urban deliveries, the new Canter also comes with the FUSO Easy Access System. With this new feature, drivers can lock or unlock the vehicle by simply pressing a switch on the door handle, as long as the remote key is in the vicinity of the door. Driver comfort and efficiency is also improved by the keyless press-and-turn engine switch.

Over the past decades, MFTBC has made continuous improvements to its light-duty truck in order to cater to customer needs. This iteration of the Canter, with its upgraded design, advanced safety features, and connectivity functions, aims to bring a new level of safety and efficiency on the road.

*”Active Sideguard Assist®”, and “Truckonnect®” are registered trademarks of the Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation.
**As of September 2020 within the Japan market. Source: Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation data.
***ESP® is a registered trademark of Daimler AG.

The new Canter (*special vehicle for shooting purposes only)

The Active Sideguard Assist feature newly installed in the new Canter

Key features of the new Canter

ASA: Active Sideguard Assist®
ASA is a safety device that monitors the driver’s blind spot on the left side of the vehicle through radar. The ASA system warns the driver with an alert signal and lamps whenever it detects any risks while the driver is steering to the left or is giving a left-turn signal.
*Some models to be excluded

AEBS: Advanced Emergency Braking System
Through a millimeter-wave radar installed on the front bumper, the AEBS detects vehicles and stationary pedestrians and warns the driver of a possible collision on the road ahead. When the risk of a collision grows, it system applies the brakes automatically, thereby helping avoid collisions and mitigate the level of potential damage.

ESP®：Electronic Stability Program
The ESP detects a vehicle’s stability through a sensor. Should it detect any risk of skidding or overturning on corners, it controls the engine’s output or the four wheels’ braking force, thereby helping avoid danger.

LDWS: Lane Departure Warning System
When a vehicle departs from its lane without giving a directional signal on a freeway, for instance, its white lane recognition camera detects the deviation, urging the driver to drive safely with warning sounds and notifications on the Ivis* (multi-information system).
*Ivis is a registered trademark of the Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation

Truckonnect®
The Truckonnect® service allows customers to check real-time vehicle information such as location, operating route, as well as the status of issues such as vehicle breakdowns. It also allows real-time monitoring of driver safety, while supporting customer efficiency both in terms of daily operations and fuel savings through features such as the digital tachograph.
*A separate service agreement for Truckonnect is required

FUSO Easy Access System
Smooth access to the cabin is enabled through the FUSO Easy Access System that allows drivers to lock and unlock the vehicle through a simple pressing motion on the door handle. As long as the remote key is within the vicinity of the door, key insertion is unnecessary. The engine can also be easily started by simply turning the switch on the steering column.
*Newly installed on all models as a standard feature

New LED headlights
LED headlights*, LED door side turn signal lights, and LED fog lamps** are available.
*Halogen headlights are also available (optional)
**Available as an option setting