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timizing research, as well as sales
and market development activities
to provide the best value products
to our customers.
Together with Daimler Trucks Europe
and North America, we are
one of the 3 pillars of Daimler Truck
AG. We have a strong local R&D
Footprint in Japan and as well as in
India, where our brand Bharat Benz
is located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
But we are also closely cooperating
within Daimler’s global R&D
network.
Just to give you some examples:
The FUSO eCanter, a forerunner in
electric mobility, was developed by
us and we are sharing our vast experience
with electrified commercial
vehicles with the whole of Daimler
Trucks. And the FUSO Super
Great was the first truck in Japan
that offered L2 automated driving
capabilities, because we could integrate
advanced technology that
was developed by our colleagues
at Daimler Truck AG.
focus: Mr. Çakmaz, MFTBC is a commercial vehicle manufacturer. Could
you give us a short overview of your product portfolio and the positioning
on the market?
Çakmaz: Mitsubishi Fuso is offering a full portfolio of commercial vehicles
and its products are being sold in more than 170 markets worldwide. With
plants in Japan and Portugal, as well as different CKD operations, we are
producing HDT, MDT and LDT trucks. The light duty Canter is the bestknown
product, a light duty truck that is used for an incredible array of
use cases in Asia and all over the world.
In addition to trucks, we are also offering a complete bus portfolio, from
the “Rosa” light bus up to the “Aero Queen / Aero Ace” coach.
Our core markets are Japan, Indonesia and Taiwan, but we are successful in
many markets all around the world. We take great pride in being a pioneer in
electric commercial vehicles. Just recently, we announced the sales of 34 all
electric eCanter LDT to DB Schenker, that will be running all over Europe.
focus: AVL worked with Fuso and DICV on many different engine
projects for the Asian markets. Which were the key criteria for you when
selecting AVL for these projects?
Çakmaz: The key criteria were the following points:
• The feasibility of your development timelines to fit our given entire
development timelines of every project
• AVL’s capability to offer sustainable, timely solutions with competitive
conditions
• Great collaboration in the utilization of assets and technical equipment
such as test benches
• Another main driver was the extensive knowledge of AVL engineers
with regards to current and upcoming emission-related technologies in
different markets
focus: Both companies have a global footprint, how important was this
for the project success?
This is very important because of the following reasons: Global expertise
and resource availability were a key requirement for us. We took profited
from information, not only in legal but also industry-relevant topics, from
AVL’s branch offices all over the world.
focus: Parallel to this collaboration for engine development, AVL has
supported Fuso with advanced battery projects. What were the decisive
criteria for this collaboration?
We selected AVL not for a single criterion, but because your offer was very
well balanced. When it comes to a system as complex as a battery, there are
many criteria that we take into consideration. Cost of course, but also the
quality concept or the capability to fulfil our very specific requirements. AVL
has a very progressive approach in exploring new technologies. But these are
only presented to customers after experience and confidence has been built
inside your company. In other words: you can rely on AVL’s judgement.