Daimler's FUSO trucks from Chennai launched in Tanzania

FUSO is showing strong growth in Africa, has doubled sales in first two months of 2014 to 1,060 units from 580 a year ago

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG, Stuttgart, Germany today said it has launched its robust DICV-made trucks in Tanzania, making it the fourth market since the start of exports in May 2013. These vehicles were manufactured at its Oragadam facility, near Chennai.

As a part of the first 15 export markets for DICV under the new Asia Business Model, the Tanzanian market is a key market in Africa. The trucks will be sold in Tanzania through the exclusive dealer, Diamond Motors Limited, said the company.

Apart from Tanzania, these trucks have already reached the markets of Sri Lanka, Kenya and Zambia with more markets to follow in Africa and Asia.

The FUSO truck range manufactured at DICV‘s Oragadam plant consists of five models spanning medium- and heavy-duty (25-49 tonnes, referred to as 'FJ', 'FO' & 'FZ') and light- and medium-duty (9-16 tonnes, referred to as 'FA' & 'FI').

FUSO is showing strong growth in Africa with a presence in over 35 markets, and has almost doubled sales in the first two months of 2014 to 1,060 units from 580 units in the same period of 2013. With the addition of this new range of trucks into its product portfolio, FUSO offers its customers a wider choice of vehicles that are robust, reliable and fuel efficient, the company said in a statement.

Daimler Trucks Asia expects to gain additional growth momentum in newer markets, apart from growth in existing markets from its new Asia Business Model introduced in 2013.

The new business model creates synergies by bundling the strengths of the Japan-based Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp (MFTBC) and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) under the Umbrella of Daimler Trucks Asia.