Daimler Trucks & Buses dominated the industry in 2015, as it remained the market leader in various segments in the commercial vehicle industry. Its brands include – Mercedes-Benz Trucks, FUSO Trucks, Freightliner, Western Star, and Mercedes-Benz Buses.
“Daimler Trucks & Buses remained resilient in 2015, despite the depreciating rand. We were market leaders, with total unit sales of more than 5 300. We continued offering the best mobility solutions to all of our customers and ensured our pricing remained market-related.
All our endeavours during the year ensured that we looked for innovative ways to reduce our customers’ total cost of ownership,” says Naeem Hassim, Head of FUSO Trucks at Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa.
In February of this year Daimler Trucks & Buses also opened the Regional Centre Southern Africa (RCSA), strengthening its continued drive for excellence and customer dedication.
This centre will be responsible for Daimler’s full commercial vehicles portfolio in the region, including FUSO. The Regional Centre will be in charge of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho and Swaziland.
This centre will be responsible for Daimler’s full commercial vehicles portfolio in the region, including FUSO. The Regional Centre will be in charge of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Lesotho and Swaziland.
This centre will be responsible for Daimler’s full commercial vehicles portfolio, including FUSO
“Having a stronger presence in the Southern African markets means that we are able to react faster and be in touch more frequently with our commercial vehicles customers and the various general distributors in the respective countries.
The Regional Centre Southern Africa provides further opportunities for all our commercial vehicle endeavours, including sales, after-sales, marketing, client services and parts,” says Hassim.
Last year FUSO introduced the light to medium-duty FUSO FA9-137
Last year FUSO introduced its first truck from Daimler India into the southern African market – the light to medium-duty FUSO FA9-137.
“The FA9–137, from the Daimler India Commercial Vehicle (DICV) plant in Chennai, has set in motionDT&B’s strategy to introduce more ‘built in India’ products in the future,” explains Hassim.
The India plant is a 100% subsidiary of Daimler AG, which embodies Indian engineering with a rich German DNA. Worldwide the group is strongly focused on safety, reliability and comfort.
“These Indian-produced vehicles have been engineered to serve all major customer segments and are exported to various markets, including South Africa. DICV has garnered a reputation for optimising research activities, product development and manufacturing precision.
“The robust FA9–137 is custom-tailored and designed to meet the ever-demanding customer requirements in Africa.
This is a vehicle that represents a key step in FUSO’s regional strategy to enhance customer satisfaction, perfect operational excellence and demonstrate our commitment to Africa’s growing markets,” says Hassim.
“The FA9–137 is proving its mettle as it demonstrates trusted quality, economic efficiency and functional design.”
The FA9–137 is based on the Canter light-duty truck and incorporates a newly developed 4D37 diesel engine, boasting displacement of 3 907cm3, with impressive output figures of 100kW at 420N.m and a 6-speed manual transmission.
“Being a versatile workhorse, what makes this vehicle a great choice for our customers is its ability to be fitted with various bodies…”
With a Gross Vehicle Mass of 9,6t the vehicle allows for a payload of up to 5t. The 4X2 freight-carrier configuration can be used in general distribution, courier, bakery, rental, as well as light tipping construction applications.
Hassim continues: “Being a versatile workhorse, what makes this vehicle a great choice for our customers is its ability to be fitted with various bodies. These include dropside, van/box, curtain side, aerial platforms, cherry pickers, cranes, water drilling, tankers and light-duty tippers.
“Drivers will welcome a comfortable cab that offers a high level of safety that is bolstered by side intrusion bars in the doors. For easy access, the door opens at 70° and for convenient maintenance, the cabin tilts 45°.
“Inside the ergonomic cab, occupants are made to feel at home as the twin co-driver seats have headrests and cup holders between the centre console. The FA9–137 also offers a sliding rear window, tiltable and telescoping adjustable steering wheel, a smooth gear shift, and as standard, a demister with air-conditioner.
“FUSO is showing that we are more than capable of driving the light to medium-duty segment using a vehicle that has become known for its Daimler heritage, quality, unmatched reliability and efficiency…”
“With this truck, FUSO is showing that we are more than capable of driving the light to medium-duty segment using a vehicle that has become known for its Daimler heritage, quality, unmatched reliability and efficiency. This is what our customers demand and we are ready to deliver only the way a FUSO can,” concludes Hassim.
