Mercedes 2010 Annual Report Download - page 132

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Significant unit-sales increase by Trucks Asia. With its Canter,
Fighter, and Super Great truck models and its Rosa and Aero
buses, the Fuso brand has gained a reputation around the world
as a quality-focused manufacturer of commercial vehicles. In
addition to producing a successful range of models in the light to
heavy-duty segments, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation
(MFTBC) is also the competence center for light-duty trucks and
state-of-the-art hybrid technology from Daimler Trucks.
At 140,700 vehicles, unit sales by Trucks Asia were significantly
higher in 2010 than in the prior year (+41%). Trucks Asia’s sharp
increase in unit sales in Indonesia by 82% to 55,700 vehicles was
accompanied by a strong 30% rise in Taiwan to 8,200 vehicles.
As a result, MFTBC was able to fully participate in the upturn there.
The Japanese home market displayed a slight recovery and unit
sales in Japan rose by 7% to 24,800 units.
Fuso is already the leader in several emerging Asian markets.
We are number one, for example, in the segment for light-duty
trucks in Taiwan and Indonesia.
During the year under review, we consistently and very success-
fully continued our program to realign MFTBC activities. The pro-
gram was launched in 2009 in response to structural changes in
the Japanese commercial-vehicle market. To ensure we remain
well positioned and competitive in the future, we are placing great
emphasis on maintaining the level of efficiency we have now
achieved. In 2010, Daimler AG increased its interest in MFTBC
from 85% to 89% through a capital increase of JPY30 billion
(€271 million).
Fuso has great expertise in developing alternative drive systems
for commercial vehicles and designing and developing light-duty
trucks. Building on the success of the Fuso Canter Eco Hybrid,
MFTBC has expanded its hybrid development activities. In Decem-
ber 2010, a new test rig was added to the Kitsuregawa test
center in Japan, where hybrid drives are to be tested under various
realistic conditions in the future.
Widespread acceptance of new products. Innovation and cus-
tomer utility in relation to future product generations are two
important elements of Daimler Trucks’ Global Excellence strategy.
We presented numerous new products at the 63rd IAA Commer-
cial Vehicles trade fair in Hanover, Germany, all of which take
their cue from successful past vehicles. The new Atego and Atego
BlueTec Hybrid were both named “Truck of the Year 2011,”
and the hybrid version was also honored with the German Environ-
mental Technology Award and the German Sustainability Award.
The new Axor is winning over customers with its standard-fitted
Mercedes-Benz PowerShift automated gearshift and a new
design. With the second generation of our Active Brake Assist
system, which can initiate an emergency braking maneuver in
critical situations, we are once again underscoring our leading
role in the field of safety. The system even responds to stationary
objects. At Daimler Trucks North America, we focused on the
development and market launch of new environmentally friendly
technologies in 2010: Our presentation at the Mid-American
Trucking Show (MATS) in March 2010 highlighted our three new
DD13, DD15 and DD16 engines from Detroit Diesel (DDC).
These engines are equipped with selective catalytic reduction
tech nology (SCR) for exhaust gas treatment and comply with
the EPA10 emissions standard that came into effect in the United
States in early 2010. Nearly 20,000 trucks and buses from
Trucks NAFTA have been put on the road in North America with
this advanced technology since the introduction of the new
engine generation. Fuso started its product offensive with the
launch of the new Super Great long-haulage truck on the Japa -
nese market in the spring of 2010. With its 6R10 engine from
Daimler Trucks’ new heavy-duty engine generation (equipped with
BLUETEC technology), Fuso’s flagship model fulfills the stringent
JP09 emission limits. It is also equipped with various innovative
safety systems. And since June, new versions of the mediumduty
truck Fuso Fighter have been available in Japan. Trucks Asia pre-
sented the new Canter in Japan in November 2010. With its
low fuel consumption, it sets new standards in the light-duty truck
segment for efficiency, environmental friendliness, safety, and
design. The Canter will also be launched in Fuso’s worldwide
export markets beginning in 2011. Fuso’s introduction of the
Duonic transmission marks the first time a dual-clutch transmis-
sion has been made available as standard equipment in a truck.
Daimler Trucks North America – market leader for heavy-duty trucks in the United States and the NAFTA region.