The Next Generation eCanter debuts in Indonesia, the FUSO brand’s largest overseas market

•Sales of the Next Generation eCanter scheduled to start in 2024 within the greater Jakarta area
•The eCanter is positioned to lead the carbon neutrality shift in FUSO’s largest overseas market

Jakarta, Indonesia/ Kawasaki, Japan -  Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC; headquarters: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Karl Deppen) is pleased to announce the all-electric eCanter truck’s debut in Indonesia at the GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), running from August 10 to the 20^th. Following the world premiere of the Next Generation eCanter in September 2022, this will be the first time that the vehicle is being presented to the Indonesian market. MFTBC and FUSO distributor PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors (KTB; headquarters: Jakarta, President Director: Nobukazu Tanaka) are planning for the market introduction of the vehicle to take place in 2024.

Until now, KTB has conducted customer trials of the eCanter with major logistics providers in Indonesia such as Trimitra Trans Persada (B-Log), Pos Indonesia, and GoTo. From August 2022, the previous generation of the truck was tested over the course of the past year under operational conditions in Bali and Jakarta. Through the trials, the eCanter covered over 10,000 km on Indonesian roads and received positive feedback from customers.

The planned market introduction of the eCanter comes as the Indonesian government strengthens its focus on sustainability as one of the pillars of future development, as set forth in its most recent National Medium-Term Development Plan. Indonesia has also committed to the collective Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) goal of transitioning 30% of global medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales to ZEV products by the year 2030. As the largest overseas market for the FUSO brand and the largest automotive market in the ASEAN region, the country’s introduction of carbon neutral transportation represents a major focal point for the global commercial vehicles industry.

The Next Generation eCanter was developed with an innovative drivetrain system featuring the eAxle, which integrates the motor with the rear axle. The more compact drivetrain design has enabled the introduction of a modularized battery concept that provides customers with more freedom in driving range. Additionally, four intensity levels have been introduced to the regenerative brake system, an EV-specific feature favored in heavy-traffic situations. The Next Generation eCanter also comes with a power take-off unit that can support a wider variety of body applications, to suit diverse business needs.

Sales of the eCanter will be targeted to customers operating in the greater Jakarta area. Air pollution is among the major challenges facing inhabitants of the growing capital city of Indonesia, and the introduction of vehicles such as the eCanter, with its locally emission-free and nearly noiseless electric drivetrain, are expected to contribute to a better quality of life in the metropolis currently home to 10 million people. 

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.