Mitsubishi Fuso receives its first pre-launch order for the new eCanter truck in Taiwan

• Logistics provider President Transnet has placed the first order in Taiwan for the new eCanter
• President Transnet will also be conducting local trial of the vehicle
• The new all-electric truck will officially be introduced to Taiwan in the first quarter of 2024
• Taiwan is among the largest export markets for the FUSO brand

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (hereafter MFTBC; headquarters: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Karl Deppen) is pleased to announce it has received the first customer order in the Taiwanese market for the new all-electric eCanter truck, through Daimler Truck Asia Taiwan Ltd. (hereafter DTAT; headquarters: Taipei; CEO: Jung Woo Park), local joint venture and official distributor of FUSO vehicles. President Transnet Corporation is the first company in Taiwan to commit to the eCanter in advance of its official 2024 launch.

President Transnet is currently one of Taiwan’s leading logistics companies. It was founded in 2000 and operates a large fleet for its transportation business, including approximately 1,690 FUSO trucks. As the eCanter will be the first electric truck to be introduced into its business, President Transnet will conduct trial operations with a 5-tonne eCanter in Taipei to familiarize drivers and logistics managers with the truck’s technologies. Data and insights gathered during this time will also be a valuable resource for DTAT, as it prepares for the official market launch of the eCanter truck scheduled in the first quarter of 2024.

Taiwan is among the largest export markets for FUSO vehicles. The local lineup consists of a full range of trucks, from light- to heavy-duty. Taiwan is also traditionally a stronghold for FUSO in terms of market presence, particularly in the 5-tonne segment. Light-duty trucks represent the majority of units sold within the local commercial vehicles industry, and innovations in electric mobility in this area are expected to meet growing demand.

Introduced in 2017 as the Japanese market’s first series-produced electric truck, the eCanter has covered over 8 million kilometers in customer hands. The vehicle has also successfully expanded its sales to various global markets, including Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The fully remodeled version of the vehicle, with a new drivetrain configuration and modular battery system, was unveiled in September 2022. In addition to Taiwan, Mitsubishi Fuso plans to begin sales of this new eCanter in further overseas markets such as Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Chile in the near future.

DTAT at a Glance

DTAT started operations in 2017 as a joint venture between MFTBC (51% share) and Shung Ye Trading Co. (SYC; 49% share), a leading player in the Taiwanese commercial vehicles market. DTAT is the sole distributor of the FUSO brand in Taiwan and is responsible for the exclusive import and wholesale businesses for full range of FUSO products, from to light-duty to heavy-duty trucks, FUSO vehicles are supplied to Taiwan both as KD (knock-down) assembly kits and BU (built-up) products.

About the eCanter

The eCanter is the Japanese market’s first series-produced, all-electric truck developed by MFTBC as a solution to urban environmental issues such as noise, exhaust gas, and CO2 emissions. As the eCanter is locally emission-free with its electric motor and produces less noise and vibration compared to conventional diesel-powered vehicles, it is particularly suited to inner-city routes as well as operations during late night and early morning hours. After the launch of the first model in 2017, MFTBC released an improved model with enhanced safety equipment in August 2020. Since its launch, the truck has been chosen by customers in Japan, Europe, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In March 2023, MFTBC opened orders for the fully remodeled eCanter with a significantly expanded number of variants to cater to diverse business needs. The new model is also scheduled to be rolled out in additional overseas markets.

MFTBC at a Glance

Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, with 89.29% of its shares owned by Daimler Truck AG and 10.71% by various Mitsubishi group companies. An icon in the Japanese commercial vehicle industry with a longstanding history of over 90 years with its FUSO brand, MFTBC manufactures a range of commercial vehicles including light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and buses, and industrial engines for over 170 markets worldwide. In 2017, MFTBC introduced the eCanter, the first all-electric light-duty truck in series-production and in 2019, the Super Great – Japan’s first heavy-duty truck fitted with Level 2 Automated Driving Support Technology, a benchmark in the Japanese commercial vehicle market. MFTBC operates under the umbrella of Daimler Truck Asia, together with its partner organization Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) in India. This strategic unit allows the entities to collaborate on areas such as product development, parts sourcing and production to provide the best value to customers.

FUSO at a Glance

FUSO is a Daimler Truck brand, offering a range of commercial vehicles from light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and buses, to industrial engines and connectivity solutions for over 170 markets worldwide. A longstanding landmark in Japan’s commercial vehicle landscape, the brand has leveraged Japanese quality and craftsmanship to set benchmarks in efficiency, safety, and comfort for 90 years. FUSO is particularly renowned for its offerings in the light-duty segment. The Canter light-duty truck claims the top market share in various markets around the world. In 2017 the eCanter became the first series produced all-electric light-duty truck in Japan, establishing FUSO as a pioneer in eMobility. FUSO promises customers a “Future Together,” a bold claim that continues to drive the brand’s contributions to safe and sustainable transport.