Fuso Canter celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The Canter is renowned worldwide as a reliable workhorse within the short-haul distribution market, and customers can expect the eighth generation model to be available in South Africa from February 2014.

Divisional manager, Freightliner, Western Star and Fuso sales and marketing, Godfrey Hani, says the eighth generation variant has been available in other markets since its official launch in 2010 hence the vehicles are well tested under different conditions, and it’s now time to bring them to South Africa.
“Up until now we have not had a very urgent need to introduce the new model because of the popularity and reliability of the current variant in the country. Most of our customers require a rugged basic vehicle that is highly reliable and gets the job done with no fuss.
”What sets the next generation Fuso apart from the current models, aside from the enhanced performance, driver comfort, cosmetic interior and exterior changes, is the automatic transmission drive train, which will be available for the first time in this range of vehicles.
Hani explains: “The next generation will meet all the requirements the customer wants, from improved comfort levels, extended service interval levels, a new engine and, of ourse, the Duonic automatic gearbox with a double clutch transmission. The vehicle has a complete new look and feel about it, but still has the reliability factors our customers expect from the Fuso.”
“Last year we took customers to Japan to test the new vehicles and they have been raving about it ever since.” The new generation Fuso will also provide the market place with 3.5 and 8.5 t GVM vehicles for the first time, enabling the manufacturer to expand into new short-haul markets. “We intend playing a bigger role within the South African delivery market and the new vehicles will allow us to cater for these markets.
We are optimistic about the future because we have the right people, the right dealerships, the right technology and the highly reliable vehicles with a rich history spanning 50 years.
“Our dealers sell vehicles on skill and technical knowhow. When selling a vehicle to a customer we need to know the exact application it will be used for so we can advise them on the best specified vehicle they need for a cost-effective solution. This enables the customer to obtain the best operating costs from their vehicle, ensuring a satisfied customer with a cost-effective reliable vehicle.” The Fuso Canter is also available in a hybrid configuration as well, but the next generation Fuso hybrid will only be launched in late 2014. “We will have a preview of the New Canter LIFT during the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October. The new diesel variant will be on our stand at this show in the build-up to its launch in February 2014.” The new Fuso Canter Hybrid won car of the year in Japan in 2013.
We are optimistic about the future as we strive for another 50 years of reliable service to the South African short-haul sector.”