Fuso remains at the top of the New Zealand truck market, recording another strong increase in sales during 2022.

Building on its 2021 sales performance when Fuso ended Isuzu’s run as the top-selling brand for 21 years, the 2023 highlights for Fuso included a large increase in sales of its Shogun heavy duty truck model.

Fuso posted 1249 sales across the 3.5-tonne and above segments last year to achieve a 20.7% market share, up from 1020 registrations and 19.7% share in 2021.

Those numbers were achieved in a total market in which sales reached a new record of 5987 units, bettering the previous high mark of 5314 set in 2019 and up from 5190 new trucks in 2021.

The Fuso Canter continues as the leader in the light-duty truck segment and the eCanter leads the way as New Zealand’s most popular EV light truck.

In the heavy-duty truck category, sales of the upgraded Fuso Shogun Euro 6 increased by 70% and Fuso moved up to third (from fourth) in the 23t-plus rankings behind Scania and Hino. 

Since being awarded distribution rights by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Company (MFTBC) in 2016, Fuso New Zealand (FNZ) has delivered a renewed focus for the brand across every aspect of customer experience. Dealerships have been reinvigorated, vehicle and parts stock and supply has significantly increased, and a slew of new models have expanded options for Kiwi truck operators.

Reflecting on the result, Fuso NZ managing director Kurtis Andrews paid tribute to the loyalty and endeavour of Fuso customers and to the passion and commitment of the FNZ team and its dealerships across the country, despite significant global and local challenges.

“We are extremely grateful to our customers and humbled by the ongoing trust placed in our brand and our people,” said Andrews. “Every day, I see our fantastic teams at head office and in dealerships across the country working hard to deliver on that trust.”

“The past few years have presented challenges most of us have never seen before – and we’ve faced them together. With that in mind, it is hugely satisfying that Fuso’s results reflect the efforts and successes of our customers in helping to keep New Zealand moving through these challenges.”

During 2023 the Fuso dealer network will be further strengthened with the completion of a major workshop extension at Keith Andrews Hamilton. The development will considerably scale up the Hamilton dealership’s sales, parts and service support for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Freightliner Trucks, Fuso Truck & Bus, and Mercedes-Benz Vans.

Earthworks began on the 1,360sqm extension in late-September with a planned completion in the second quarter of 2023. The development will see an additional 14 vehicle bays added to provide a total of 22 and create roles for up to ten new employees. 

Two of the new bays will be dedicated to Certificate of Fitness (COF) inspections, which will enable any issues identified during the inspection to be dealt with onsite, reducing customer downtime.

For an in-depth analysis of the 2022 new truck and trailer markets, turn to CrediFlex Recently Registered starting on page 99 of this issue.