Mitsubishi Fuso Trucks in Australia
Mitsubishi Fuso trucks were introduced into Australia by Chrysler Australia in the early 1970’s.
The first Canter models were marketed as a “Dodge” and early prime movers carried the “Fuso” badge. Early models were the T210F Canter with the 4DR5 engine, FK T653 with the 6DS7 engine, FM104 with the 6D11 engine and the FP103 and FV113 Prime Movers with the 8DC6 engine.
Mitsubishi Fuso Global History
The origins of Mitsubishi Fuso trucks can be traced back to 1884 when Yataro Iwasaki leased the shipyards in Nagasaki and started a shipbuilding business. Iwasaki purchased the shipyard in 1987. The business was renamed Mitsubishi Shipyard in 1893.
The first motor vehicle, a car called the Model A was produced in 1917 and the first commercial vehicle, the B46 bus was produced in 1932. This vehicle was named Fuso by the employees of the first customer, The Japanese Ministry of Railways. The name Fuso comes from the name of a sacred Chinese hibiscus tree, the fusang. This name can also be used to refer to Japan.
In 1938 the Y6100AD diesel engine was developed. This engine was the forerunner of the DB series of engine used right through to the 1970’s. The YB40, a two-ton truck was released in 1941. From the immediate postwar period Mitsubishi’s production of motor vehicles rapidly expanded with many new models being released.
In 1949 the Fuso Motor Sales company was established and was renamed the Mitsubishi Fuso Motor Sales Company in 1952. In 1970 Mitsubishi formed a joint venture with the Chrysler Corporation called the Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. All Mitsubishi’s motor vehicle interests were taken over by this new company.
This new company known as MMC continued operating until 1993 when the partnership between Mitsubishi and Chrysler was discontinued. From 1999 Volvo partnered with Mitsubishi’s Truck division but that was then dissolved in 2002, and Daimler Chrysler formed new partnership with Mitsubishi.
The Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation was established in 2003 with Daimler Chrysler holding a 43% shareholding. This shareholding was increased to 89% in 2005 with Daimler Chrysler absorbing more of Mitsubishi Fuso. In 2007 Daimler Chrysler divested itself of the Chrysler Corporation becoming Daimler AG and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation is now a part of Daimler Trucks.