History Of Mitsubishi FUSO Brand

The Fuso brand name first appeared in 1932 in conjunction with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ first, so-called “B46” commercial bus. Built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Kobe Shipyard and Machine Works, the bus was seven meters long with a passenger capacity of 38 people. It was powered by a 7-liter, 6-cylinder gasoline engine producing 100 horsepower.

To celebrate the delivery of the B46 bus to its first customer, what was then the Japan Ministry of Railroads, the company invited employees to submit suggestions for a nickname. “Fuso” was the winning candidate.

The word “Fuso” derives from an ancient Chinese term for a sacred tree said to grow at the spot in the East where the sun rises, and has been used to refer to Japan, itself. The actual Fuso tree is a hibiscus, known in Japanese as “bussoge,” and is an evergreen that grows to about 3 meters and sprouts beautiful red and pale pink flowers.Following that first bus, the Fuso name would later be applied to other leading products. Key vehicles in history of the company and brand include the KT1, a gasoline-engine 4-ton truck (1946); the T380, Japan’s first heavy-duty cab over truck (1959); and the Rosa, Japan’s first small size bus (1960).

In 1963, the first “Canter” was introduced to the market. The Mitsubishi Fuso Canter light-duty truck would become the company’s best-selling vehicle of all time, and maintains its excellent reputation today.

As Japan’s economic expansion continued, the company’s product line expanded to include a wide variety of light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses. Many of the trucks and buses traveling Japan’s highways and roads bore the Fuso name, and played an important role in the Japan’s burgeoning commerce and transportation. With expansion in the company’s overseas business, Fuso vehicles also were working around the world. In recent years, products bearing the Fuso name include the Canter Eco Hybrid, one of the world’s cleanest light-duty trucks, now available in Japan, and the Aero Star Hybrid, an advanced hybrid electric bus. This is in addition to familiar “Fuso” products like the Canter light-duty truck, Fighter medium-duty truck, Super Great heavy-duty truck, Aero Star city bus and Aero Queen touring bus.

The Fuso name also adorns the company’s diesel engines for trucks, buses and industrial uses. And today, the name “Fuso” has been integrated into the official brand “Mitsubishi Fuso.” In Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East and around the world, “Mitsubishi Fuso” stands for superior products, outstanding service, economic value and a commitment to customers’ success.