All Majors Now Offering Hybrids in Japan's Light-Duty Truck Market

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corp. launched sales of the Canter Eco Hybrid, a light-duty truck featuring a parallel diesel hybrid system, on July 5, 2006. With this new hybrid truck following the Hino Dutro Hybrid released by Hino Motors, Ltd. in 2003 and the ELF Diesel Hybrid by Isuzu Motors Ltd. in 2005, all major Japanese manufacturers now are offering light-duty hybrid trucks on the market.

The Canter Eco Hybrid boasts significant improvements in fuel economy, reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 41 percent and particulate matter (PM) by 46 percent compared to conventionally-powered models. It is the first light-duty truck to comply with Japan's new long-term emissions regulations (enacted in 2005), among the most stringent in the world for diesel-powered vehicles.

Mitsubishi Fuso aims to sell 400 trucks by the end of 2006. As vehicle sales growth leads to cost reductions, competition among manufacturers involved in the development race is expected to become increasingly fierce.

http://www.mitsubishi-fuso.com/en/press/060705/060705.html

Posted: 2006/11/29 11:09:27 PM
Japanese version