The FUSO Canter Light Truck Celebrates Its Proud 60th Anniversary

FUSO, the Japanese subsidiary of Daimler Truck and one of Asia’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, celebrates the 60th anniversary of its light truck Canter. Since its market launch in 1963, more than 4.5 million FUSO Canters have been produced worldwide.

(Leinfelden-Echterdingen/Kawasaki) The first generation of the Canter was introduced in March 1963 under the designation T720 as a cab-over truck in the Japanese market and impressed in its segment with excellent driving performance and economy. Since the first generation, FUSO has continuously developed the vehicle in line with customer and societal demands. In addition to impressive driving performance and comfort, the Canter has achieved ever-increasing levels of fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness through continuous improvements to its engines over the decades.

This is what the Canter looked like in 1993

Through the development of advanced safety technologies over the decades, the Canter has established itself as a safe and reliable truck for drivers and other road users. The design of the vehicle has evolved to meet customer needs and the spirit of the times. Thus, the FUSO Canter has created its unmistakable identity in the commercial vehicle industry: as a safe, comfortable, and environmentally friendly companion for drivers and businesses everywhere.

Available in over 70 countries worldwide

Since the 1960s, FUSO has expanded the sales of the Canter into various international markets and is a leader in the light truck segment in key markets around the world. In Indonesia, one of FUSO’s first overseas markets, the Canter has consistently held the highest market share in the light commercial vehicle segment for the past 48 years. Currently, FUSO Canters are locally produced in CKD (completely-knocked-down) plants in twelve markets. Today, the Canter is sold in over 70 countries worldwide.

Since 2017, the Canter has also been available as an electric version

Also available as a fully electric version since 2017

In 2017, FUSO launched the eCanter, Japan’s first mass-produced electric truck in the light commercial vehicle segment. With the completely revised next-generation model of the fully electric truck, its successor was introduced in 2022. The Next Generation eCanter will go into production in 2023 at FUSO plants in Kawasaki, Japan, and Tramagal, Portugal.

Photos: © Daimler Truck / Image caption: This is how the Canter was launched in 1963