Mitsubishi Fuso celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the FUSO brand

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation have celebrated the 90th anniversary of the FUSO brand.

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 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.

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 called FUSO was a B46 bus in 1932

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.

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.