. Daimler Trucks Asia sells almost twice as much in Africa in January and February 2014 as in the previous year
. Unlocking of growth potential of new markets in Asia and Africa is in full swing
. After Kenya, Sri Lanka and Zambia, current launch of new robust FUSO models in Tanzania as well
Daimler Trucks Asia is stepping up its growth course in Asia and Africa. The world’s leading truck manufacturer has had a positive start of the year in the African continent: With sales of more than 1,000 units of the FUSO brand in January and February 2014, Daimler Trucks Asia is almost doubling the sales numbers of the previous year. In 2013, Daimler sold a total of 8,500 FUSO trucks in Africa.
To unlock further growth potential, Daimler is combining the strengths of the commercial vehicle subsidiaries Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation (MFTBC) and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) in the framework of the “Asia Business Model” by exporting the vehicles from India to promising future markets in Africa and Southeast Asia in a targeted fashion. Since May 2013, DICV produces five new FUSO truck models for export to Kenya, Sri Lanka, Zambia, and – effective immediately – also to Tanzania.
Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Daimler Trucks & Buses: “As a global commercial vehicle manufacturer, we want to expand our leadership in traditional markets and to develop it in new markets. To this end we are using intelligent platforms for optimal alignment of our products to the requirements of the respective market.” In this respect, FUSO plays a pivotal role for the important African and Asian growth markets. “Our FUSO brand is firmly established in Africa and Asia. In combination with the products from our Indian production, we want to continue to grow our sales in these important growth markets.”
Dr. Albert Kirchmann, Head of Daimler Trucks Asia and MFTBC President & CEO: “Growing economies lead to increased demand for goods transport. With FUSO, we want to profit from this in the markets of Southeast Asia and Africa in the long term. In 2014, we have had a successful start with FUSO in Africa, but we are not aiming at a quick win. Our activities in these countries are planned with a long-term horizon.”
To generate further growth, Daimler Trucks Asia plans to invest €300 million in the international sales and production structures from 2014 to 2018. By the year 2020, around 290,000 units of the FUSO and BharatBenz brands are to be sold worldwide. To accommodate this growth, Daimler Trucks Asia is consistently building up its presence in growth markets.
Case in point – Tanzania: The country is considered to be one of the fastest growing economies in Africa. In recent years, Tanzania’s economy has grown by an average of around seven percent per year and, according to the experts, this growth momentum is to be maintained in the next ten years.
The FUSO trucks designed for the emerging countries will be delivered step-wise in eleven more export markets: Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mozambique, the Seychelles, Zimbabwe, Thailand and Uganda.
