Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America showed its Canter FE130, FE160, FE180 and FE160 Crew Cab models at the NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. At the show and conference, Fuso highlighted the Canter’s payload capacities, fuel economy, longer service intervals and its five-year powertrain limited warranty, which the company said “combine to provide Canter users with lower cost-of-ownership.”
For 2016 models, Fuso is concentrating on furthering its low cost-of-ownership position by focusing on driver operability.
“We have come to recognize that, in addition to the obvious product advantages we have engineered into our work trucks, the drivers’ skills and care in operating our trucks can also make a direct contribution to lowering cost-of-ownership,” Todd Bloom, president and chief executive of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, said. “Consequently, we have made a number of refinements to our trucks that are intended to make it easier for the driver to operate and maintain them.”
Many of these features are aimed at enhancing the driver start-of-shift walkaround, said Fuso. The company said that the new 2016 Canters feature a re-located oil sump dipstick that allows the operator to check engine oil level without tilting the cab. In addition, the oil sump itself also has a higher capacity.
The transmission clutch fluid housing includes a direct-view sight plug that allows the driver to check transmission fluid with a quick glance and a new filter helps to maintain the quality of that fluid, for enhanced durability, said Fuso. An engine air filter restriction indicator also makes it easy for the driver to tell the condition of the air filter during his or her walkaround, without disassembling any part of the air filter housing or snorkel.
The company also offers an optional Idle Limit System to help drivers comply with no-idle limits in jurisdictions where they are mandated. Moreover, the optional Clarion Bluetooth radio provides AM/FM/CD, MP3, WPA playback, Pandora and Sirius XM compatibility. The radio’s wireless Bluetooth connectivity also allows hands-free calling with a properly equipped mobile device.
“Driver education and ease of operation will continue to be a focus of ours going forward,” Bloom said. “Like consumer vehicles, work trucks are becoming more sophisticated every year, and it’s incumbent upon us, as an industry, to make sure we provide the operating systems and the education necessary for drivers to maintain their level of skill. It’s only fair to our customers. And Mitsubishi Fuso is committed to being an industry leader in that endeavor.”
To read more about Fuso, go to www.mitsubishi-fuso.com.
