Mitsubishi Fuso Canter

The Canter nameplate was first introduced in March 1963 for the existing T20 range of light-duty trucks.[3] The preceding series originated with the "T710" of 1960. These early models were sold almost entirely in Asia. The Asia-Pacific was the main market for the Canter until the early 1970s. Later the series began seeing export or local manufacture in markets including Europe, the Middle-East and North America. In many markets the Canter was very expensive and was replaced by the Mitsubishi Fuso Truck when that model became available for worldwide market in the early 1980s.

Australia was another important market for the Canter - to the extent that it was manufactured there from the 1970s using many local components. Most models of the truck are distinguishable by a front 'Canter' badge, but the common Mitsubishi badge is usually used on the rear. In several markets, including the United Kingdom, the Canter is sold as the "Fuso Canter" rather than as a Mitsubishi.

Canter 4th generation (wide cab)

Canter 4th generation (standard cab), sold as Colt Diesel (FE114) in Indonesia

European sales began in the Benelux countries in the late 1970s. About 200 of the narrow cabined fourth generation Canters had been sold there by 1980, when local assembly of a wide-bodied Canter in Belgium by importer Moorkens N V was begun on a trial basis.[4] The Canter ended up being built in Tramagal, Portugal instead, since 1980.[5] Tramagal is located 150 km north of Lisbon. The factory achieves a production capacity of 15,000 units per year and shift with approximately 430 employees (October 2004). More than 110,000 vehicles have been produced here to date. High production quality, certified with ISO-standards, combined with a rigorous test program and extensive final inspection and quality checks lead to a tough and reliable truck.

The fourth generation Canter was available with a variety of diesel engines, but a 2555 cc petrol inline-four was fitted to the FC 35 model. This is the 4G54 engine, producing 103 PS (76 kW).[6]

In late 2005, a new Canter was presented, with safety being the main issue. Also a new hybrid truck, the Canter Eco Hybrid was presented commercially.

In the United Kingdom the Sales and Marketing headquarters of FUSO is located in Milton Keynes at the headquarters of Daimler, sitting within the Commercial Vehicle division alongside Mercedes-Benz. At a local level, FUSO Canter is Sold and Supported through the Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle network.

The European market is supplied exclusively with Canter vehicles from the Mitsubishi Fuso assembly plant in Tramagal (Portugal).[5] Currently engines by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and transmission by ZF Friedrichshafen are installed in Canter vehicles since 2009. To comply with the rules in force in Japan from 2015 stricter emission standards, now, all Canter models use the same four-stroke, water-cooled, turbocharged, intercooled DOHC4 FPT Industrial F1C diesel engine as the Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily, and are sold in all markets.[7]

The eighth generation model had a redesign in 2017 having a Duonic 2.0 transmission and Brake Override System.[8] In 2018, a collision avoidance system with pedestrian detection and vehicle stability control were also added.

Each Mitsubishi Fuso Canter model code has an average of 4-5 alpha-numeric base model code. Each letter and number corresponds to a particular distinguishing feature.[15]

• 1st Digit: "F" stands for Fuso Truck and "B" stands for Bus
• 2nd Digit:
  • A = Petrol 2 Wheel Drive
  • B = Diesel 2 Wheel Drive
  • C = Petrol 4 Wheel Drive
  • D = Diesel 4 Wheel Drive
  • E = Rear Wheel Drive (4 x 2)
  • F = Read Axle Vehicle (6 x 2)
  • G = 2 Wheel and 4 Wheel Drive models (this does not mean Guts or Canter Guts)
• 3rd Digit: "Odd Numbers" stands for Standard Body and "Even Numbers" means wide body
• 4th Digit: the 4th digit corresponds to the maximum payload
  • 0 to 3 = Maximum Payload of 2 - 3 tons.
  • 4 = Maximum Payload of 3.5 tons.
  • 5 = Maximum Payload of 4 - 4.7 tons
• 5th Digit: Corresponds to the engine model
  • 1 = 4D30
  • 2 = 4M51
  • 5 = 4D32
  • 6 = 4D36
  • 7 = 4D33
  • 8 = 4D35
  • 9 = 4D31(T), 4D34(T), or 4D34T4
• 5th Digit for 1999 models and above: The model code was checked in 1999 from numeric to alphabet.
  • B = 4M42
  • C = 4D33
  • D = 4M50(T)
  • E = 4M51(1) or 4M51(2)
• 6th Digit: Corresponds to wheelbase
  • B = 2500/2520mm
  • C = 2750mm
  • E = 3350mm
  • F = 3760mm
  • G = 3850mm
• 7th Digit: Corresponds to the body specification
  • D = Dump Truck
  • C = Dump Truck
  • P = Packer

Thus, the example of "FE305BD" decodes as:

1. F = Fuso Truck
2. E = Rear Wheel Drive (4 x 2)
3. 3 = Standard Body
4. 0 = Maximum Capacity of 3-4 Tons
5. 5 = 4D32 Engine
6. B = 2500/2520mm
7. D = Dump

• Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation
• Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fuso Canter.

• Official UK Canter website
• Mitsubishi Canter Dealer East Anglia
• Mitsubishi Fuso Japan (second group is Canter's)
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Worldwide - 1st site, 2nd site
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter USA - FE, FE Crew, FG
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Europe
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Australia
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter New Zealand
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter South Africa
• Information on Canters in the UK
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Russia
• Mitsubishi Fuso Russia Saint-Petersburg
• Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Turkey