‘5’ is the Magic Number for Daimler This Month. (So is ‘90’)

News

25 May

News From the Daimler Stable – May 2022

Glen Cameron Group now has five Cascadias in their stable, with the addition of this one for their client, Stramit.

A Freightliner Cascadia 116 has hit the highway for steel construction product supplier Stramit and its freight partner Glen Cameron Group.

Safety and efficiency were at the heart of the decision to choose the Cascadia to run a range of Stramit steel products for its Fair Dinkum Builds and Taurean Door Systems brands between Melbourne and Sydney.

The Cascadia comes standard with a full suite of safety equipment was also optioned with the Sideguard Assist system, which uses a radar to ‘see’ down the passenger side and alert the driver of moving people or objects in the truck’s blind s pot.

**Sideguard Assist plus AEBS, LDWS, ESC and every other acronym you can think of.**

Stramit Sales and Operations Planning Manager, Malcolm Thomas, says the advanced safety features of the Cascadia are a big plus.

“Safety is paramount to Stramit and it is critical to us that we select the safest trucks available, such as the Cascadia, and have them maintained to the high standards of the Glen Camerons Group fleet. These trucks share the road with other motorists and we need to do everything we can to protect our own people and those around them with these advanced safety systems.“

Malcolm says the advanced driver assistance features of the Cascadia and the high comfort levels are also important.

“For a driver to really be safe they have to be comfortable, so we are pleased that Glen Cameron Group is investing in advanced and comfortable trucks such as the Cascadia.”

The excellent fuel efficiency and lower emissions of the Cascadia and its 13-litre Detroit engine is also something that Stramit values.

“The Detroit engine meets the latest Green House Gas protocol 17 US standard, which even exceeds Euro 6 engine standards, which is important for us. Our parent company, Fletcher Building, has committed to a 30 per cent carbon emission reduction by 2030 and choosing clean trucks such as the Cascadia are a great way to reduce our supply chain emissions.“

Glen Cameron Group National Fleet Manager, Greg Morris, selected the 505hp 13-litre 116 Cascadia model with an integrated DT12 fully automated transmission, a 36-inch sleeper, ice pack cabin cooler and a bulbar with built-in LED lights.

“Fuel efficiency, driver comfort and the latest technology, including all of the safety features we have become accustomed to in our Mercedes-Benz Actros models over the years, were all part of the reason to choose Cascadia,” he said. “The safety features in these trucks have progressed so much over the last five years.“

The Cascadia models are all maintained under a Daimler Truck maintenance contract that ensures the trucks are maintained to the highest levels with genuine parts, using factory trained technicians.

. . . . . . .

HIGH FIVES FOR FUSO, WITH MORE TO COME

Fuso Shogun 510 sweet torques its way into the TR Group fleet.

TR Group is the largest truck and trailer rental company in New Zealand and is rapidly expanding its footprint in Australia. It features a full range of prime movers and rigid trucks, as well as a wide array of trailers including PBS approved A Doubles and Super Bs, as well as refrigerated units.

The group has just added five Fuso Shogun 510s to its growing Australian rental fleet. They are part of an order that will see 20 of the most powerful Japanese truck in Australia delivered to TR Group this year.

The Shogun 510, as the name implies, puts out 510Hp (1600rpm) and 2500Nm of torque (1100rpm) through its Daimler-sourced 13 litre engine. Euro 6 compliant, the truck is a big plus for customers keen on emission reduction – something I suspect is now top-of-mind for many, given the recent election result.

TR Group Australia General Manager, Chris Perry (pictured above), says the company was keen to get the Shogun 510 into its fleet.

“The advanced safety and performance of the Shogun 510 make it an ideal truck for TR Group,” said Chris. “Our customers want new trucks with the latest technology and we know the 13-litre Shogun’s 510hp and especially its 2500Nm of torque is sure to make it a popular addition to our fleet.”

TR Group selects trucks and related equipment that are reliable and fit for purpose and the Shogun 510 fit the bill, especially with its safety technology which was a big plus in the company’s considerations.

“TR Group operates the latest trucks and trailers and we always place a very strong emphasis on safety,” said Chris. “Features such as Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Active Attention Assist (AAA) and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) all tie in with TR Group’s safety-first approach.”

The TR Group Shogun 510s are fitted out with additional accessories including bull bars, stone-chip guards, beacon lights and seat covers.

TR Group is known for operating the latest and greatest equipment, so it’s a feather in the Shogun’s figurative cap that the business has ordered 20 of them.

Designed for metro and intrastate transport, the Shogun 510 is rated at 63-tonnes Gross Combination Mass and is capable of hauling a single or double trailer set or working as a tough tipper and dog combination. It is available as a 6x4 prime mover or as a rigid.

The Fuso Shogun 510s are not the only Daimler trucks in the TR Group fleet. There are also 15 Mercedes-Benz Actros models, with more to come this year. I reckon there’s a couple of very happy sales reps in the Daimler stable at the moment.

Click on the link below to read my recent test drive of the Fuso Shogun 510…

https://www.truckinwithkermie.com/blog/top-sho-gun

. . . . . . .

STILL ON FUSO, THE BRAND TURNED 90 THIS MONTH.

Here is a brief history….

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation announced its celebration of the FUSO brand’s 90th anniversary in May 2022.

The origin of the FUSO name dates back to May 1932, when Mitsubishi's first gasoline bus, the "B46 type shared car", manufactured at the Kobe Shipyard of the former Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, was branded "FUSO".

The vehicle’s name, selected among proposals from employees at the company, was suggested by an engineer at the shipyard.

The proposal argued for FUSO because the name is (1) "suitable to represent Japan," (2) a "simple Japanese name that symbolizes Japan and Mitsubishi," and has (3) "a smooth and familiar sound, which gives a clear image and stays in one’s mind.”

The word "Fuso" originally refers to a large sacred tree that was once said to be in the place of the sunrise in China. The word is now used as a name for the hibiscus flower. It is also said that it was used as a synonym for Japan in ancient China.

**Fuso flowers. Probably not the best place to park your Fuso truck**

Previous to this anniversary, FUSO set "Future Together" as its new brand tagline in 2021. Under this tagline, FUSO aims to lead the transformation of commercial vehicles together with our customers in the automobile industry, which is facing a historic turning point. “Future Together” also communicates ambitions for a future with safer and more sustainable transportation solutions.

Beginning of the FUSO brand

In 1932, the “FUSO” name was used for the first time for the B46 bus manufactured at Kobe Shipyard of Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. (currently Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.). The 7-meter, 38-seater bus was equipped with a 7-liter, 6-cylinder and 100-horsepower gasoline engine. In commemoration of the first delivery of the B46 type bus to the Ministry of Railways, "FUSO" was selected from among the internal proposals for its nickname.

**The first vehicle of B46 type bus named “FUSO”**

History of the FUSO brand.

Following the first vehicle, the nickname "FUSO" was used one after another for major products such as the gasoline engine 4-ton truck KT1 (1946), Japan's first large cab over truck T380, and Japan's first minibus, the Rosa (1960). In line with Japan's high economic growth in 1950s – 70s, the product lineup includes a full range from small to large trucks and buses, playing an important part in economic development.

To the present and future of FUSO.

MFTBC, the manufacturer of FUSO brand vehicles, was born when Mitsubishi Motors Corporation separated its commercial vehicle division from the passenger car business in 2003, while a part of former Daimler Chrysler.

In the spring of 2006, MFTBC joined the truck group organized within Daimler Chrysler. It is now an integral part of Daimler Truck AG. FUSO now delivers trucks and buses to more than 170 countries and regions, supporting transportation and businesses not only in Japan but around the world.

The light-duty "Canter" truck is highly regarded around the world and holds the top share in many countries. In 2017, FUSO launched Japan's first mass-produced electric light-duty “eCanter” truck, leading the electrification of commercial vehicles. FUSO aims to continue as a beloved and trusted brand, developing products with “quality, environment, safety” as top priorities.

**The FUSO brand’s product lineup for the Japanese market**

FUSO at a Glance.

FUSO is a Daimler Truck brand, offering a range of commercial vehicles from light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and buses, to industrial engines and connectivity solutions for over 170 markets worldwide. A longstanding landmark in Japan’s commercial vehicle landscape, the brand has leveraged Japanese quality and craftsmanship to set benchmarks in efficiency, safety, and comfort for 90 years.

FUSO is particularly renowned for its offerings in the light-duty segment. The Canter light-duty truck claims the top market share in various markets around the world. In 2017 the eCanter became the first series produced all-electric light-duty truck in Japan, establishing FUSO as a pioneer in eMobility. FUSO promises customers a “Future Together,” a bold claim that continues to drive the brand’s contributions to safe and sustainable transport.