Mitsubishi Fuso shows eCanter at PITS

Mitsubishi Fuso brought its electric eCanter alongside the familiar diesel Canter to the first Philippine International Truck Show (PITS), which concluded on 24 October at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.

Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation (SFP), the local distributor of Mitsubishi Fuso commercial vehicles, used the three-day exhibition to introduce the eCanter in a configuration similar to its diesel counterpart. The company also reintroduced the Mitsubishi Fuso Three-Diamond logo as part of its display.

The exhibition carried the theme “Reliable Mobility since the 1960s,” a reference to the brand’s long history in commercial transportation.

The diesel Canter FE73, with its 14-foot loading span, represented the company’s established light-duty truck business. Beside it was the eCanter, an all-electric version of the nameplate that Mitsubishi Fuso has developed as an alternative to conventional diesel trucks.

Both vehicles serve the commercial transport sector, although their powertrains differ. The diesel Canter continues to serve businesses that depend on conventional trucks, while the eCanter introduces battery-electric technology to the same vehicle category.

The Canter nameplate dates back to 1963, when Mitsubishi Fuso introduced the truck to the global market. Over the decades, it has undergone several changes to meet the requirements of commercial operators.

Its continued presence in the company’s product range also explains why Mitsubishi Fuso chose the Canter as the basis for its electric light-duty truck.

SFP president and chief executive officer Yosuke Nishi said the two trucks represented different periods in Mitsubishi Fuso’s history but served the same purpose of supporting Filipino customers and their businesses.

Nishi also pointed to the company’s plans for electric commercial vehicles as part of its future direction.

Another prominent feature of the exhibition was the return of the Mitsubishi Fuso Three-Diamond logo. The familiar emblem appeared throughout the booth and linked the older Canter nameplate with its electric counterpart.

Mitsubishi Fuso’s history goes further back than the Canter itself. The Fuso name originated in 1932, when it was selected for a bus manufactured in Japan. Meanwhile, Sojitz has participated in the Philippine automotive business since 1969.

Today, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation supplies commercial vehicles to approximately 170 countries and regions.