Daimler celebrates 60 years in SA with limited edition Fuso
Daimler celebrates 60 years in SA with limited edition Fuso
Back in 1962, the first L Type Mercedes-Benz truck rolled off the production assembly line in East London. Today, that plant is regarded as one of the cornerstones of Daimler’s Completely Knocked-Down (CKD) production facilities outside of Germany. And a special edition Fuso Canter has been produced to mark the company’s diamond anniversary.
Daimler Truck Southern Africa’s (DTSA’s) assembly plant in East London is celebrating 60 years of manufacturing excellence in South Africa. What better way to mark the occasion than with the launch of a special edition model, namely the Fuso Canter FE7-136?
Commenting on the diamond anniversary year, Michael Dietz, president and CEO of DTSA, said it has been “nothing short of amazing”.
“We kick-started our diamond anniversary celebrations on a high note, and now what better culmination to the year than to introduce the Fuso Canter FE7-136 60th edition range, a product we proudly deem kingpin within our Fuso brand?” he enthuses. “We now cast our eyes onto 60 more years of revolutionary production in South Africa. The future of our acclaimed plant lies in our continuous endeavour to produce ground-breaking trucks and buses, as well as our highly skilled people, and we are motivated by one single vision – to fulfil the evolving business needs of our customers.”
Fittingly, DTSA has built a total of 60 of the special edition models. They are adorned with eye-catching accessories reminiscent of the style and essence of “Simply Better Trucks”.
On the exterior, the new trucks proudly feature sporty red stripes that represent the Fuso brand’s striking colours, further reinforcing the dominance and strength for which the product stands.
The spacious and functional interior has also been kitted up. The seatbelt pads, for example, are branded with a red Fuso logo, giving them a clean and sleek finish. In addition to this, the open plan floor for easy cabin movement has been enhanced with branded mats.
Affectionately known as a “light gallop” – a term that associates the vehicle’s character with the agility and endurance of a horse – the Canter has a long and illustrious history worldwide.
It made its first market entrance in 1963 under Mitsubishi Nippon Heavy Industries Ltd, as a compact front-wheel-drive two-tonner in a variety of body styles, with both 67-kW petrol and 51-kW diesel engines. Since then, it has earned respect as a reliable workhorse in the light-duty distribution segment and carved out an important place for itself in the Fuso stable as it continues to enjoy growing popularity worldwide.
Above: Pictured at the reveal of the 60 Fuso Canter FE7-136 limited edition trucks were members of the DTSA executive. From left: Maretha Gerber, vice president: sales and marketing; Michael Dietz, president and CEO; and Gladstone Mtyoko, vice president manufacturing.
This highly regarded light truck comes with a bumper-to-bumper four-year/240 000-km warranty and can be configured for almost any light-duty application. The chassis cab design, meanwhile, allows flexibility for the fitment of different load body types to suit all applications.
With a capacity of 3908 cc and a power output of 100 kW/370 Nm, the engine offers excellent low-speed flexibility, quick acceleration, and exceptional fuel efficiency. This engine is both economical and dependable. Engine access for service requirements is quick and easy with a forward-tilting cab on all models.
Interior features include a fully adjustable driver’s seat, a front passenger bench seat with integral headrests, and a redesigned easy-clean dashboard. In addition, there is a fully rake and reach adjustable steering column. The in-dash gearshift lever falls easily to hand and has been ergonomically designed for maximum comfort. Featuring a short throw shift mechanism and precise selector gate, this makes working life more productive.
Last but not least, safety is at the forefront of the cab design, which features the Fuso Canter Realised Impact Safety Evolution impact system, which addresses all crash protection aspects. The cab floor has been strengthened, the steering column is collapsible, and the doors feature a cross-doorframe protection bar. In addition, the dashboard features an impact-absorbing frame and is manufactured from shatter-resistant materials.
Published by
focusmagsa
