FleetWatch Online - 21-Heavies Arrive


Driving head-on into the market with a range of extra heavies is Mitsubishi Fuso. The 'three diamond' logo and Fuso name is now spread across a broad spectrum of trucks so get used to seeing the logo. It is going to become prominent.

The full compliment of Mitsubishi Fuso trucks from 5,5 ton through to 26 tons gross vehicle mass (GVM) and up to 50 ton gross combination mass (GCM) are now available in South Africa following the recent launch of the extra heavy over 16 ton GVM models onto the market to close the gap at the top end. Patrick O'Leary attended the launch..

What do home-made sausages and Mitsubishi Fuso extra heavy trucks have in common in South Africa? The answer is: Johan Cloete, divisional manager of the Freightliner/FUSO division of DaimlerChrysler South Africa, has had a hand in the preparation of the ingredients that have gone into the final locally made sausages and trucks.

It was an unusual opening gambit but Cloete, in his normal jovial way, used this illustration to answer the question of why it has taken so long to introduce the extra heavies to the market. After all, the Canter - a Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation product now also branded with the 'three-diamond' logo and Fuso name - has been sold into this market since the mid-1970s. Then, in October 2004, the company moved up to the next notch by introducing the FK and FM trucks with 10,4 to 16 ton GVMs.

So why wait two years to close the product gap at the top end - and especially given that competitors like Tata and others have used these past two years to make valuable inroads into the market. Has market mileage not been missed by the wait?

"If you know the art of sausage making, which I love, you will know that it takes hours to get the mix right before making the final sausage. You blend the spices, clean the meat from the bones and taste the ingredients all along so that you know when the final sausage is made, it is 100% right. That's what I do with my sausages and that's what we did with the Mitsubishi Fuso models we've introduced. Our attention to the preparation of the right specification 'ingredients' was thorough and we're now ready for action," he said.

It's an apt analogy and one which serves to bring comfort in the knowledge that local customer needs and local operational conditions were taken into account in preparing the final product for consumption. Mistakes have been made in the past by others in merely bringing in product 'as is' from overseas without taking into account that this is hardy Boerewors rather English Banger or Frankfurter country.

That said, it was not such a difficult task mixing the ingredients given that the South African engineering team had a wealth of tried and proven specification combinations from which to draw. Mitsubishi Fuso operates in more than 120 countries which gives our guys a menu of tried and proven 'sausage' options which makes those glossy multi-page Wimpy menus look miniature.

The full extent of Mitsubishi Fuso's global operations were spelt out by Bert van Dijk, senior vice president, head of international sales and service for Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, who flew out to South Africa especially for the event. The global penetration is impressive and it is apt to note that while these heavy trucks are new to South Africa, they are certainly not new to many other countries.

Look, the company has been around a long time with its first truck produced back in 1932. In 2002, it celebrated its 70th anniversary so that all adds up to a lot of years and a lot of experience gained around the world that South Africa is now benefiting from.

At present, according to Van Dijk, Mitsubishi Fuso it is the number one brand in South East Asia and the Middle East and is no slouch closer to home where last year's sales in Africa increased by 31% with some 1 124 trucks being sold into Kenya and 2 105 sold in Morocco. The top market for the company is Indonesia with 37 848 units sold. Total sales of trucks during 2005 was 178 900 units. Not bad at all!

And don't forget that DaimlerChrysler holds a major shareholding in Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, so there's all that expertise that can be leveraged from that group for the benefit of Mitsubishi Fuso customers.

According to Van Dijk, the success of the marque revolves around four basic pillars: Reliability, compliance (legal and environmental), fairness and openness. "We are about high reliability and high quality, not solely high technology," he says.

That does not mean that Mitsubishi Fuso lags in the technology stakes. Far from it. In fact, the Canter Eco Hybrid vehicle has captured the attention of manufacturers around the world and according to Van Dijk, Mitsubishi Fuso enjoys a world-leadership position in hybrid technology. Back in Japan, the company is also keeping up with the new technological developments needed to meet the new emissions standards being imposed both in Japan and Europe. Van Dijk assures us that all this is available to South Africa as and when it becomes applicable in this country.

"We have access to all the latest technology in the Group but we adapt - and adopt - the technology in terms of its suitability to the various markets in which we operate.," he says. Speccing for market is what it's all about in this stable.

So what's new on offer? On this point, Freightliner/Fuso has not paraded a range of trucks as answers for all. "Have trucks, will sell to anyone' is not what it's about. Rather, they zeroed in on very focussed and specific niches and needs with the final choice boiling down to four distinct models for five transport applications. Note that the model code has been kept simple. 18-340, for example, equates to 18 ton GVM and 340 horsepower. The models are:

One engine model powers the entire range. At 11945cc displacement, the Mitsubishi Fuso 6-in-line, turbo-intercooled diesel engine provides up to 250kW power and 1 400Nm torque in the line-haul truck tractors and freight carrier while this power is specially de-rated for maximum economy to 228kW in the mixer/tipper model. The line haul units are equipped with 10-speed transmissions - the Fuso 26-310 tipper/mixer has a 7-speed gearbox.


With infrastructural developments on the rise in South Africa, great things are expected for the Fuso FV 26-310 in tipper application. Driver comfort from ease of cab entry through to comfortable seats, adjustable steering and easy to read instrumentation has been taken into account in ensuring driver productivity.

As a first for Japanese extra-heavy trucks in South Africa, all FP & FV models are equipped with an ABS braking system - electronically managed, anti-lock brakes. Maximum additional retardation is also provided through a standard exhaust brake accompanied by a cylinder-head operated Jacobs brake, allowing a driver extended safety margins in stopping without using the truck foundation brakes.

There is no compromise in terms of safety on the new Fuso extra-heavies. A thorough computer analysis and crash testing on actual vehicles resulted in the extremely safe cab structures. This is backed up by a reinforced under frame and use of side door beams.

The cab is also mounted on coil springs with shock absorbers that effectively diminish road shock, protecting the cab integrity for life and providing a smooth ride as well as reducing driver fatigue. An electro-hydraulic cab-tilt mechanism allows easy and rapid cab tilt for quick inspection and maintenance.

Patrick O'Leary (right) getting a handle on issues from Johan Cloete (left), divisional manager of the Freightliner/FUSO division of DCSA and Bert van Dijk, senior vice president, head of international sales and service for Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation.

Ace sausage-maker Johan Cloete spells out positive plans for the new models.

Mitsubishi Fuso also developed a lighter, stronger frame construction for the FP/FV series. It is a first for extra-heavy Japanese trucks - the newly designed frame web rivets the side rail and cross member, ensuring long-term durability and strength. This means that because the upper surface of the frame is rivet-less, rear body mounting is much easier. These improvements make the chassis significantly lighter and more durable, easily meeting varied load requirements and the severest road conditions.

Top right: The new trucks are being assembled on a dedicated line at Ikhwezi Trucktech in East London. Bert van Dijk took time out to speak to one of the assemblers and was impressed by the high level of enthusiasm displayed by all employees.

Left and top left: An hilarious show dubbed 'Tune My Truck' was put on to depict a loyal Mitsubishi owner not wanting to change the old for the new. "After all these years, she's like my wife. She not look so good anymore but I still love her." When he saw the 'newby' on the left, he quickly changed his mind. That's what Mitsubishi Fuso is hoping will happen in the market.

The combined Mitsubishi Fuso and Freightliner truck range is distributed through a separate DaimlerChrysler dealer network. The new extra-heavy Fuso models now fill the gap under 450 horsepower where Freightliner takes over for vehicle combinations in excess of 50 ton GVM and up to 600 horsepower.

Says Cloete: "These models have been carefully selected. We are sticking to proven basics in matching customer needs and we believe that the introduction of the FP/FV Series now completes the Mitsubishi Fuso range."

One gets the feeling that there is a sense of relief in the Freightliner/Fuso camp now that the full compliment of models from the Canter through to the FP/FV series is out there. And so there is. However, before we leave it to market forces, let's have a chat with Bert van Dijk to get a take on one aspect that concerned me.

The FV 26-340 is suited to mass haulage work with drawbar trailer up to 50 ton GCM. Looks good too.

In an interview held after the event, FleetWatch put it to him that some of the words used to define how the company differentiates itself - reliability, quality and the like - are no different to what other manufacturers say about themselves and their products. So where's what FleetWatch calls the 'wow' factor.

"It lies in our concept of Price Performance," says Van Dijk. OK - we've heard of high and low prices but what's Price Performance?

"That's where value for money is not only gauged on the initial purchase price - although that is where it all starts and one must be competitive - but rather on the total life cycle costs of the vehicle over the full lifetime of that vehicle."

He goes on to explain that Mitsubishi Fuso tries to make its 'Price Performance' factors as attractive as possible and this is where high quality, for example, does come into the picture as evidenced by the marque having a record of low warranty costs which means trucks are not breaking down due to manufacturing defects. That's a price performance plus.

Then there's the cost of the parts and the back-up and here one must also take into account the national service and back-up infrastructure in place around the country. Downtime impacts on unfavourably on Price Performance and thus parts availability and service back-up are paramount. He also mentions residual values and on this, points to the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter as a vehicle which has a proven track record of holding its price well. He is confident the Mitsubishi Fuso models will do the same.

"Price Performance embraces so many factors that will not be taken into consideration by the customer who pays upfront and forgets about life cycle costs. We make a point of concentrating on and accenting those factors for they are vitally important to any serious operator," he says.

What stands out here is than Mitsubishi Fuso seeks to develop life-long relationships with its customers rather than conducting mere transactions based on upfront price. In doing so, the 'wow;' factor comes in via the company ensuring value for money is achieved all along the lifecycle chain.

Right - the sausage is ready for the braai. Light the fight and let's eat!

Scenes from the line: Martin Slabbert (above middle), MD of Ikhwezi TruckTech, the assembly facility for Mitsubishi Fuso, Freightliner as well as Mercedes-Benz models, with three of his employees, from left, Thando Magingxa, Jackie Godfrey and Elvis Sabelo. To date, Ikhwezi has assembled more than 1 800 Mitsubishi Fuso trucks, including the Canter and Fuso FM/FK Series. More than 9 500 Mercedes-Benz trucks and buses and over 2 000 Freightliner trucks have also come off this line. "We're excited by the addition of the Mitsubishi Fuso extra-heavy line. The capacity of our facility allows for approximately 8 Canters, 5 FM/FK Fuso models and 4 FP/FV Series being built a day," says Slabbert.