Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) has launched the highest powered heavy-duty truck model in its very first market, Kenya.
The commercial vehicle manufacturers, cooperating with Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (DICV) under the umbrella of Daimler Trucks Asia (DTA), have released the TV3340S Tractor with technical GCW of 65 tons is equipped with the OM457 – the new 6 Cylinder, 11.97 litre engine with 400hp.
This engine has already proven itself for its power and efficiency in the triad markets.
The model adopts 12 speed power shift transmission and a hub-reduction with optimized rear axle ratios for different applications.
The interior of the truck includes a full cabin with a sleeper berth. Developed from the Mercedes-Benz Actros platform, the FUSO TV3340S is specially designed to meet the local demand for heavy payload and fuel efficiency by Kenyan container transporters.
In Kenya, FUSO has established a good reputation for its fuel efficiency and superior performance on sloped terrains.
Michael Kamper, Senior Vice President and Head of Marketing, Sales and Customer Services, Trucks Asia, said: “This extremely robust tractor has been added to our already wide product range in response to the demand for heavy-duty trucks. With this model in the Kenyan market our customers will have a wider choice of products to effectively cater to their needs. Though Kenya is the first market in the world to see the new FUSO product, we will subsequently introduce it in other markets.”
In the Kenyan market, Simba Colt Motors has been FUSO’s partner for 48 years, making it one of the oldest general distributor relationships for FUSO worldwide. FUSO has sold 1,132 units during the period of January to July 2016 in Kenya. The sales have been increasing compared to the same period last year despite the weak commercial vehicle market situation. New vehicles and customer services are provided via 19 locations throughout the country.
Adil Popat, CEO for Simba Colt Motors said: “We are delighted that Kenya was chosen as the very first market to launch the TV model. We are convinced that this truck will more than satisfy the various needs of the market and will prove to be a winner in the near future.”
As part of its Customer Dedication strategy, Daimler Commercial Vehicles opened a new Regional Center (RC) in Nairobi, Kenya in February 2016. The RC is responsible for sales and customer services of all Daimler brands for East, Central and West Africa.
The region, with a total population of 770 million people consists of 41 markets including Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria. It offers great long-term potential for growth: 68% of the population is under the age of 25 – no other region has a higher percentage. The dynamic development of the region is further supported by foreign direct investment, which has grown to six times its level since 2000. In parallel with the growing economy, it can be assumed that the transport sector will further develop, thereby increasing the demand for commercial vehicles.
FUSO has been launching its all-new range of trucks in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Nigeria and South Africa since 2013. The new vehicle range including the TV tractor is manufactured in its state-of-the-art factory in Chennai, India and exported to the African markets. With this new model the product portfolio has been widened thus increasing customer choices in the country where many more infrastructure projects are planned.
Furthermore, in March 2016, the CKD assembly operation of the all-new robust FUSO range began at the AVA assembly-plant in Mombasa, Kenya.