Key Highlights:
- Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation (SFP) expands dealer network with the inauguration of FUSO Mindanao Avenue.
- Joint Endeavor: The new facility represents the first collaborative venture between SFP and iCATS Motors, Inc. bringing together the global expertise of Daimler Trucks to the Philippine market.
- iCATS Motors, Inc. – FUSO Mindanao Avenue to manage retail distribution and after-sales services for FUSO and Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
Mindanao Ave., Quezon City, January 29, 2024 – Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation (SFP) has partnered with iCATS Motors, Inc. to become an official dealer of FUSO trucks and buses. This milestone event marks the introduction of the first joint multi-brand facility by Daimler Trucks in the Philippines, FUSO, and Mercedes-Benz Trucks, under one roof, promising an exceptional automotive experience offering reliability and durability in its products, as well as providing transportation solutions in the country.
The inauguration ceremony is set to be a momentous occasion attended by key operating leaders from SFP, iCATS Motors, Inc., and Inchcape Philippines, media partners, bodybuilders, network customers, and distinguished guests. The event commenced with important messages highlighting the significance of this strategic expansion into the Philippine market.
iCATS Motors, Inc. – FUSO Mindanao Avenue is strategically located at 45 Mindanao Ave., Alley 15, Brgy. Bagong Pag-asa, Quezon City, keeping the dealership in its landmark making it visible and accessible to the customers in the area. The state-of-the-art facility showcases the representation of modern design, combining the robustness of FUSO and the elegance of Mercedes-Benz seamlessly.
The facility aims to redefine customer experience to facilitate sales and comprehensive aftersales support for both brands – FUSO and Mercedes-Benz Trucks. On the other hand, the showroom can fit up to six (6) light and heavy-duty commercial vehicle displays. The rest of its built-up area of 1,035 sqm. is allocated to working bays to deliver reliable and quality service to meet the needs and requirements of every customer.
Mr. Alex Hammett, Managing Director of South Asia & Pacific, Inchcape plc: “Today, we are here to open this joint facility, bringing together Daimler Trucks – Mercedes-Benz Trucks, and FUSO products in a joint dealership. This partnership between Inchcape Philippines and Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation signifies a strengthened commitment to powering better mobility in the country, bringing market high quality and durable products to allow access and growth for the people, communities, and businesses.”
Mr. Yosuke Nishi, President & CEO of Sojitz Fuso Philippines Corporation: “SFP and iCATS Motors have positively responded to an advantageous synergy that resulted in a unique dealership outlet that offers two reliable international commercial vehicle brands – FUSO and Mercedes-Benz – in one facility. This partnership will enable us to expand our connections and opportunities, ultimately improving our vehicle sales and after-sales support. The customer’s experience is important to us as we provide trucks they can trust and quality service as we drive to the future, together.”
Mr. Christoph Stemmer, Vice President for Customer Services Parts, Mercedes-Benz Bus & Special Truck Sales SEA of Daimler Truck: “The advantages are, for our esteemed customers and increase network coverage and an expanded product range – from LDT to HDT and Buses. For our valued dealer, synergies and economies of scale enhance operational efficiency. For Sojitz and iCATS, a growth trajectory that allows for further investment and expansion of their business. All these elements align with our overarching goal to support those who keep the world moving.”
Mr. Francis Jonathan Ang, Chief Operating Officer of Inchcape Philippines: “Our goal is to bring more accessibility to our business partners, especially truck and bus operators. This includes future expansion of our network in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. We officially opened the 1st Daimler Truck Joint Multi-Brand Facility in the Philippines on this day, and I am confident that we will have many joint successes in the future.”
The launch of FUSO Mindanao Avenue will be a symbolic moment as FUSO and Mercedes-Benz Trucks, both under the Daimler Truck umbrella, joined together. This expansion signifies a strategic move to further strengthen the brand’s presence in Southeast Asia and underscores the trust that Daimler places in the Philippines.
This joint facility not only reinforces Daimler’s commitment to the country but also signals a new era of commercial vehicles and vision of growth for automotive retail. Furthermore, the focus on building lasting relationships with customers reflects Daimler’s commitment to not only selling vehicles but also ensuring excellent ownership experience.
FUSO Mindanao Avenue is expected to have a positive impact by adhering to the brand’s international standards, ensuring the delivery of a diverse portfolio of world-class vehicles and services to the local market.
Visit FUSO Philippines’ official website at www.fuso.com.ph. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FusoPhilippines and Mercedes-Benz Trucks at www.facebook.com/MercedesBenzCVPhilippines for the latest news and updates from the brands.
Contact:
Advertising, Events & Public Relations
John Ferd Cabeliza, (02) 8234 2484, [email protected]
Jomary “Joms” Ilaw, (02) 8234 2484, [email protected]
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Sojitz Corporation at a Glance
As a general trading company, the Sojitz Group is engaged in a wide range of businesses globally, including buying, selling, importing, and exporting goods, manufacturing and selling products, providing services, and planning and coordinating projects, in Japan and overseas. The Group also invests in various sectors and conducts financing activities. The broad range of sectors in which Sojitz operates includes those related to automobiles, plants, energy, mineral resources, chemicals, foodstuff resources, agricultural and forestry resources, consumer goods, and industrial parks. Sojitz has run so many kinds of automotive business all over the world such as CKD production, wholesale, and Retail. In the case of the business in Philippine, Sojitz has been engaged to the automotive business since 1969.
Daimler Truck Asia at a Glance
Daimler Truck Asia (DTA), under Daimler Truck AG, is an organizational unit that jointly operates Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) – an icon in the Japanese commercial vehicle industry with 90 years of history with its FUSO brand – and Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), an up and rising challenger in the Indian market. DTA adopts a strategic business model that allows its group entities to collaborate on product development, production, exports, sourcing and research activity to provide innovative, cutting-edge and best value products to customers. DTA’s vision is “to develop mobility solutions to embrace a better life for people and the planet,” and is aligned with Daimler Truck’s purpose, “For all who keep the world moving.”
MFTBC at a Glance
Based in Kawasaki, Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) is one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, with 89.29% of its shares owned by Daimler Truck AG and 10.71% by various Mitsubishi group companies. An icon in the Japanese commercial vehicle industry with a longstanding history of 90 years with its FUSO brand, MFTBC manufactures a range of commercial vehicles including light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks and buses, and industrial engines for over 170 markets worldwide. In 2017, MFTBC introduced the eCanter, the first all-electric light-duty truck in series-production and in 2019, the Super Great – Japan’s first heavy-duty truck fitted with Level 2 Automated Driving Support Technology, a benchmark in the Japanese commercial vehicle market. MFTBC operates under the umbrella of Daimler Truck Asia, together with its partner organization Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) in India. This strategic unit allows the entities to collaborate on areas such as product development, parts sourcing and production to provide the best value to customers.
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 over the decades. 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. This year marks the 90th anniversary of the FUSO brand, another milestone in its continuing legacy of setting benchmarks in efficiency, safety, and comfort.
