Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has continued to strengthen its position in growth markets over the last few months. During May the company entered the Mongolian market and also sold its 1000th truck in Russia.
The 1000th Canter light truck rolled off the production line roughly only a year after truck assembly began at the Fuso Kamaz Trucks Rus (FKTR) manufacturing facility in Naberezhnye Chelny. FKTR is a joint venture, in which Kamaz and Daimler AG each have a 50 percent stake.
The joint venture was set up in late 2009 to handle importation, production and distribution operations for Fuso trucks in Russia.
At the same time, Fuso has also become the No. 2 Japanese brand in the light truck segment in Russia.
This was aided by the constant expansion of the distribution network in Russia last year, bringing the total number of locations to 50.
“We are just getting started in the key Russian market,” said Dr. Albert Kirchmann, Fuso’s Head of Trucks Asia. “We see great potential for our products here, especially as the Russian economy becomes more diversified with greater focus on services.”
Fuso’s presence in neighbouring Mongolia is also another big step for the company, taking Fuso one step closer to achieving its strategic goal of international expansion into key markets with growth potential.
Initially Fuso will offer the Canter light-duty truck and Fighter medium-duty truck in Mongolia. These trucks are being exported from Japan and sold through the dealer network of Mongolian Star Melchers Co., Ltd. (MSM), which is headquartered in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar.
“We see solid economic growth potential in Mongolia,” said Kai-Uwe Seidenfuss, MFTBC Vice President of Sales and Service International, at a ceremony marking the delivery of the first ten Canter trucks to MCS Coca-Cola LLC in Ulaanbaatar on May 16. “Furthermore, with our products and comprehensive service offerings, we and our local partner MSM can help promote the development of the industrial sector in the country.”
Last year, Fuso also entered Pakistan, Cambodia, and Laos. Fuso is now active in over 150 markets around the world.
