•	Daimler Trucks already well positioned in new growth markets and continues to expand its presence
•	The “Asia Business Model“ to tap into the full synergy potential of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV)
•	Second quarter of 2013: FUSO branded trucks to roll out from DICV Plant in Chennai, India, for export to markets in Asia and Africa

Kawasaki, Japan - Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, today announced it will play a major role in Daimler Trucks sales offensive in Asia and Africa under the new integrated “Asia Business Model.”

The future new growth markets are already a reality for Daimler’s Commercial Vehicles Division, and Daimler Trucks has already set the course for further growth in the promising markets in Asia and Africa with its new integrated “Asia Business Model.“ The model, which is an integral component of the Global Excellence Program “Daimler Trucks Number One,“ provides for stronger bundling and optimization of Daimler’s business operations and the associated systematic expansion of its presence.

Daimler Trucks will profit concretely from the global positioning of the subsidiaries Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) headquartered in Kawasaki, Japan, and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV) based in Chennai, India. With synergies from both companies, robust FUSO trucks will start rolling out from the DICV plant in Chennai, India, as early as in the second quarter of 2013, for sales in the price-competitive export markets in Asia and Africa. The extended commercial vehicles portfolio will be announced and presented shortly.

The Asia Business Model already in place is designed to secure Daimler Trucks leadership position in the new growth markets by leveraging strengths of MFTBC and DICV to pull in further unit sales increases in Asia and Africa. The Asian business will thus make a major contribution to Daimler Trucks sales target of over 500,000 units sold in the year 2015 and more than 700,000 trucks in the year 2020.

“With the Asia Business Model we are bringing our operations to the next level in order to serve our existing and new customers with the right products and the best service in Asia and Africa,” underscored Dr. Albert Kirchmann, MFTBC President & CEO and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia. “With the united forces of MFTBC and DICV, we are very well positioned and ready to move ahead of our competition in terms of bringing concepts into reality.”

Mr. Marc Llistosella, DICV Managing Director & CEO, said, “Our ‘Quality Made in India’ has been proven with our milestone of over 1,000 BharatBenz trucks sold in three months since the launch. Now, we will soon start the production of BharatBenz and FUSO trucks under one roof.”

“With the combined strengths of MFTBC and DICV, we are ready for additional growth and efficiency,” said Mr. Kai-Uwe Seidenfuss, MFTBC Senior Vice President of Sales & After Sales. “It is a unique opportunity to offer an extended FUSO product portfolio of modern, robust, and economical trucks for the Asian and African markets, thus, capturing increasing customer demand at a new level.”

The global production network of Daimler Trucks facilitates efficient business operations and profitable growth. The integrated Asia business model draws on a multitude of synergies of the two Daimler subsidiaries MFTBC and DICV, Accordingly, the BharatBenz trucks and the new FUSO trucks produced for selected export markets are based on the same Daimler Trucks technical product platform.

In Indonesia, MFTBC’s largest export market, the company has sold 68,000 units in 2012, posting sales record for the third consecutive, marking a double-digit growth over the previous year. Sales were also up in other Asia stronghold markets, such as in Taiwan, the company’s second largest export market, in Malaysia, and in Thailand. In Africa, MFTBC grew unit sales by a formidable 88.7% to over 8,000 units. With the Asia Business Model, Daimler Trucks will tap into further growth potential.

Moving ahead in 2013, MFTBC continues to increase its momentum with a series of product offensive, including new segment entries and introduction of new product variants. A highlight will be the continuing launch of its all-new Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck in international markets. MFTBC is active in more than 130 markets worldwide.

With its growth strategy FUSO 2015, MFTBC has embarked on a clear company initiative aimed at increasing operational excellence in all aspects. It is based on 5 strategic pillars, including “Leader in Green Innovation,” “Profitable Global Player,” “Efficiency Leader,” “Customer Number One in Japan,” and “Employer Number One.”

Under “Profitable Global Player,” MFTBC aims for significant increase in global sales, including an overall target to significantly increase its international sales while ensuring a strong home base in Japan and Asia.

FUSO 2015 is a holistic improvement program, encompassing all parts of the business. It addresses major drivers to grow the business in all aspects, building on the cost and efficiency gains of its realignment program.

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2012, the company sold a total of about 174,000 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.

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd (DICV), a 100% subsidiary of Daimler AG, was established to harness the potential of the India Truck market. To this end it conducted exhaustive studies on the Indian conditions related to customers, terrain and future possibilities. As a result, today, DICV has established a strong brand of trucks based on established ‘Daimler Trucks Technical Platforms’.