Fuso has achieved top market shares in Indonesia (48.1 per cent) and Taiwan (32.2 per cent ) in 2020, supported by strong sales in light-duty trucks.
Fuso’s Brand Presence Improves in Key Markets
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) President and CEO Hartmut Schick announced that Fuso trucks and buses have maintained top market share in its largest overseas markets of Indonesia and Taiwan in the year 2020. The share of Fuso vehicles in most global commercial vehicle markets also rose despite depressed demand from the impact of Covid-19.
In Indonesia, Fuso has been in the top position since its entry into the market in 1970. This remained the case even as demand for trucks and buses declined across the board in every major market due to the Covid-impacted global economy. Although the economic situation was challenging in Fuso’s largest export market, showing the market size at nearly half of 2019, Fuso nonetheless held onto its dominant position at 48.1 per cent, even marking a rise in share against the previous year. The achievement can be attributed to sustained strength in the light-duty segment where the market-favourite ‘Colt Diesel’ recorded 58 per cent. The medium-duty offerings of the local Fuso and Fighter models also finished positively with 22.4 per cent of the segment.
Local general distributor and joint venture PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors (KTB) adapted swiftly to the social distancing guidelines in place throughout Indonesia, engaging customers through virtual gatherings, mobile workshop services, and online sales through the digital marketplace Tokopedia. KTB’s performance in its 50th anniversary year underscored its long history of leadership in the Indonesian market.
In Taiwan, Fuso trucks and buses maintained top market share for the 29th consecutive year, at 32.2 per cent. Due to the effective actions of the local authorities, the spread of the coronavirus was relatively contained in Fuso’s second largest export market. Although the market demand showed a slight decline, industrial activity continued at a relatively stable level, allowing Fuso to maintain its leading position in the light-duty segment. Fuso was the only commercial vehicles brand within Taiwan to sell over 7,000 units, due in part to local general distributor and joint venture Daimler Trucks Asia Taiwan’s (DTAT) successful launch of a new 5 ton GVW truck, the Canter Pro 5. Ultimately Fuso claimed 38.1 per cent of light-duty truck sales, highlighting the brand’s traditional strength in the segment. Fuso has been present in Taiwan for more than 60 years, and currently boasts the most extensive sales and service network for commercial vehicles in the market.
On top of Fuso’s achievements in Taiwan and Indonesia, shares in most export markets also recorded positive growth during 2020. Though unit sales declined overall due to the global economic downturn, the brand exhibited a particularly strong performance in key markets such as the EU, where Fuso’s market share in the 10 ton and under truck segment came to nearly 7 points above the previous year at 26 per cent, and Australia, where Fuso vehicles covered 13.1 per cent, an increase of 1.6 per cent from 2019.
In the EU, where MFTBC exclusively offers light-duty vehicles, sales were supported in part by the need for last-mile delivery solutions amidst lockdowns and social distancing. Fuso also strengthened its position in other major markets such as Kenya (27.7 per cent) and Singapore (19.1 per cent) and New Zealand (14.8 per cent).
With the order intake having displayed positive movement from Q4 2020 onwards, MFTBC is confident that Fuso trucks remain an important presence in global logistics.
