- Mitsubishi Fuso to become dedicated unit of DCAuP wholesale operation in
Australia
- New structure intended to build on sales success while increasing efficiency
and effectiveness
- Closer coordination among DaimlerChrysler commercial vehicle brands in
Australia
- Comprehensive Mitsubishi Fuso product line to continue
Melbourne/Sydney/Tokyo – DaimlerChrysler Australia/Pacific (DCAuP) and
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC) today announced closer
cooperation in the Australia commercial vehicle market. DCAuP will assume full
responsibility for wholesale distribution of Mitsubishi Fuso trucks and buses in
Australia in the future. The inclusion of Mitsubishi Fuso within
DaimlerChrysler’s wholesale organization is intended to support the further
growth of Mitsubishi Fuso-brand trucks and buses in Australia. The move, to be
completed by year’s end, also will create significant efficiencies and foster
greater coordination between DaimlerChrysler’s commercial vehicle brands sold in
Australia.
Globally, DaimlerChrysler is the majority shareholder in Mitsubishi Fuso
Truck & Bus Corporation. MFTBC is an integral part of DaimlerChrysler’s
Truck Group.
“Our aim here is to further strengthen and build on the success of Mitsubishi
Fuso in Australia and take this excellent performance to the next level,” said
Mr. Bert van Dijk, MFTBC Board Member and responsible for international sales
& service. “The closer cooperation will allow the Mitsubishi Fuso
organization in Australia to spend more time on customers and dealers. It will
also deliver efficiencies as we leverage the capabilities of DCAuP.”
Mitsubishi Fuso had record Australia retail sales of 4,134 units in 2005, a
25% increase from the previous year. The company markets light-, medium- and
heavy-duty trucks, as well as light-duty buses, in Australia.
“Customers will benefit from the closer working relationship between
Mitsubishi Fuso and the rest of DaimlerChrysler’s commercial vehicle brands, at
a wholesale level,” said Mr. Ernst Lieb, CEO of DCAuP. “The move will allow us
to more efficiently and more aggressively manage all of DaimlerChrysler’s
commercial vehicle brands for sales growth with an expanded dealer and service
network.”
DaimlerChrysler truck brands already under the DCAuP wholesale umbrella in
Australia include Mercedes-Benz, Sterling Trucks and Freightliner Trucks. Now,
Mitsubishi Fuso will become a dedicated sales and marketing unit within DCAuP.
With the integration of the Mitsubishi Fuso wholesale organization, DCAuP
becomes the only supplier in Australia offering commercial vehicle brands from
Europe (Mercedes-Benz), the United States (Freightliner Trucks and Sterling
Trucks) and Japan (Mitsubishi Fuso).
Mitsubishi Fuso will continue to offer the same comprehensive product line
and a high level of service and support to Australia customers. A strong retail
network will be maintained featuring current dealers. Mitsubishi Fuso also will
continue a sales & marketing office in Sydney. Mr. Richard Eyre, currently
Chief Operating Officer for the Mitsubishi Fuso organization in Australia, will
lead the new dedicated Mitsubishi Fuso organization, which is integrated into
DCAuP.
DaimlerChrysler commercial vehicles recorded outstanding sales perform-ances
in 2005 – in Australia and across the world. Overall, DaimlerChrysler set a new
global sales record for commercial vehicles by selling 824,900 trucks, buses and
vans - more than 2,000 units a day – and almost 16% ahead of the 712,200 units
sold in 2004.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s lead-ing
commercial vehicle manufacturers. In 2005, the company sold a total of 178,900
vehicles including light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. In the
international markets outside Japan MFTBC sold approximately 119,000 units
(wholesale), +4% versus 2004 and a new international sales record for the
company.
DaimlerChrysler AG owns 85% of MFTBC shares. The remaining 15% of shares
continue to be held by various Mitsubishi group companies.
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