How’s this for globalization in action. A Japanese truck manufactured in India and brought into South Africa by a German company.
This is what guests had to get their heads around when FUSO Trucks Southern Africa, a division of Daimler Trucks & Buses, unveiled its new medium-duty FUSO FA9–137 truck, the first vehicle to be imported by FUSO Trucks Southern Africa from the Daimler India Commercial Vehicle (DICV) plant in Chennai.
The FA9–137 not only means the FUSO range is expanding but it will also set the pace for more “built in India” products in the future.
DICV is a 100% subsidiary of Daimler AG and is one of the leading manufacturers in the Indian commercial vehicle market. DICV stands for Indian engineering with rich German DNA, strongly focusing 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 optimizing research activities, product development and manufacturing precision at the state-of-the-art production plant at Oragadam, near Chennai.
“The 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 Trucks Southern Africa’s strategy in terms of enhancing customer satisfaction, perfecting operational excellence and demonstrating our commitment to Africa’s growing markets,” says Naeem Hassim, head of FUSO Trucks.
“Already successfully launched and leading in various markets, the FA9–137 is proving its mettle as it demonstrates trusted quality, economic efficiency and functional design. When industries grow, the need for transport grows in turn. We are excited to know that this rugged truck will be fueling economies in Southern Africa as we showcase the various applications it fulfills,” says Hassim.
The FA9–137 is based on the Canter light-duty truck and incorporates a newly-developed 4D37 diesel engine, boasting displacement of 3,907 cc, output figures of 100 kW at 420 Nm and a 6-speed manual transmission.
With a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 9.6 tons allowing a payload of up to 5 tons, the 4 X 2 freight carrier configuration can be used in general distribution, courier, bakery, rental, as well as light tipping construction applications.
Being a versatile workhorse, a variety of bodies can be fitted including 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 degrees and for convenient maintenance, the cabin tilts 45 degrees.
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.
