FUSO Engine Selected for MLIT Verification Test for River Drainage Pumps

・A FUSO engine has been selected for verification tests in an MLIT public infrastructure project.

・The project aims to develop river drainage pump technology using mass produced products.

・Many river drainage facilities will soon need to be updated, and renewals are required due to the recent increase in natural disasters such as heavy rains, typhoons, and floods.

・The verification test is scheduled for the first 3 months of 2022.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC; Head office: Kawasaki, Japan; President and CEO: Hartmut Schick) announces that the 4V20 model vehicle engine has been selected for verification tests by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) for a project dedicated to the development of water drain pump technology with mass products (hereinafter: “this project”). MFTBC will participate in these verification tests with the aim of having the 4V20 engine integrated into drainage pumps in rivers and waterways located around Japan.

This project aims to promote the installment of new water management and drainage systems that utilize mass products in order to increase the efficiency and cost effectiveness of regular facility renewals. The current approach to upgrades to such facilities is need of a paradigm shift, as many river management facilities in Japan such as drainage pumps and flood gates, were constructed between the 1950s and 1990. This means that a number of facilities will mark over 40 years after installation. Additionally, unlike structures such as bridges, machinery facilities have a limit to their longevity. Due to the rapid increase in aging facilities, an era of mass reinstallations, where many facilities will need to be replaced at the same time, is expected to come in the near future. Furthermore, frequent natural disasters in recent years also raise the demand for new and additional water drainage facilities.

MLIT is aiming to promote innovation and collaboration between the automotive and pump industries, with the goal of dramatically reducing life-cycle costs. In November 2020, MLIT started a study group with automobile and industrial equipment manufacturers, in which MFTBC was among the initial participants. In January 2021, MLIT started an open call process involving verification tests for the applicable technology. MFTBC applied for the “vehicle engine” category in this open call project with its 4V20 engine, and in March 2021, the engine was selected for the testing round.

On April 19, 2021, a signing ceremony for a basic letter of agreement will be held at MLIT. MFTBC President and CEO Hartmut Schick will represent the organization at the occasion and exchange opinions with Mr. Kazuyoshi Akaba, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and other companies that will participate in the verification tests.

Using the advanced engine technology that powers the FUSO lineup, MFTBC develops and produces a wide range of high-quality and reliable industrial engines for a variety of machines, including excavators, cranes, power generators, forklifts and more. The selected 4V20 engine is currently utilized for the FUSO medium-duty Fighter truck.

Through participation in this verification test, MFTBC aims to develop a river drainage pump utilizing its vehicle engine technology. Moreover, by supporting the Japanese government’s initiatives to build national resilience and improve disaster prevention and mitigation, MFTBC further intends to support more comfortable and safer living for all.