Mitsubishi Fuso phasing out sales in US, Canada markets

Citing an overly-competitive market, Mitsubishi Fuso will stop selling its medium-duty cabover trucks in the U.S. and Canada as it shifts its dealer network to service-focused operations, the Daimler Truck Group announced.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) cited a re-evaluation of its North American business as a reason for the decision to phase out new truck sales at its 137 Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America (MFTA) dealerships. Another 52 MFTA locations are already primarily focused on parts and services. 

Fuso truck sales make up less than 5% of medium-duty commercial truck sales in the U.S., according to American Truck Dealers data. The brand has larger shares in European and Asian markets. MFTA began selling new trucks in the U.S. in 1986. 

“The U.S. and Canadian markets are very competitive,” Bryan C. Allen, MFTA’s marketing communications manager, told FleetOwner. “We are proud that customers were well served for almost 35 years in these countries. However, our overall business situation did not develop favorably.”

MFTA, which is headquartered in Logan Township, N.J., plans to re-align its organizational focus toward service operations this year as it works with its U.S. and Canadian dealer partners to transition sales dealerships into parts and service dedicated locations.

MFTA president and CEO Justin Palmer said the transition will be customer-focused. “MFTA is fully dedicated to making this transition a smooth one for our customers and we remain committed in supporting a parts-and-service network for many years to come,” he said.

“Our sales dealerships will be given the option of continuing to retail available truck stock,” Allen said. He declined to say what the current new truck stock is at Fuso’s U.S. and Canada dealers. 

MFTA plans for FUSO customers in the United States and Canada to remain supported through an authorized Fuso service network for warranty repairs, maintenance services, and replacement parts until 2028. What comes after that is unknown. 

“The decision will be finalized in due time,” Allen said. “The main focus of our planning for the coming years will be to support Fuso customers with parts and service until 2028 so they can continue to work with their trucks.”

Fuso was among the first OEMs to show off a battery-electric commercial truck back in 2016. MFTA will continue to support the eCanter all-electric trucks that are in operation in the U.S. under the terms of each customer’s respective special lease, Allen said. 

“Specific to this leadership in North America, Daimler Trucks North America will continue to lead the commercial vehicle industry in e-mobility solutions in North America through its Freightliner, FCCC and Thomas Built brands,” Allen said. “For example, the Freightliner eCascadia and eM2 will enter series production in late 2021, and series production for the Thomas Built Jouley school bus and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp MT50e are planned to start this year.”