60 Years of Trust: The FUSO Canter Story
Story by Ezad Alfuso
March 1963: The Beginning of Canter
Let’s go back to post-war Japan. Businesses were rebuilding, factories were running again, and people needed reliable trucks to move goods and grow their work.
That’s when Mitsubishi introduced the Canter T720, a small 2-ton truck that quietly started something big.
No one expected it to become the world’s best-selling light-duty truck for the next 60 years.
The Meaning Behind the Name
“Canter” comes from the steady gait of a horse — smooth and reliable.
That same idea guides every Canter built today: strong, steady performance you can depend on every single day.
8 Generations of Reliability
Each generation of Canter brought improvements, but one promise never changed — to deliver reliability above all.
-1st Gen (1963): 2-ton payload, new design
-2nd Gen (1968): Bigger cargo space
-3rd Gen (1973): Added 3-ton version
-4th Gen (1978): Market share jumped 20%
-5th Gen (1985): Entered European markets
-6th Gen (1993): Sleek, rounded cab design
-7th Gen (2002): Major updates across all areas
-8th Gen (2010–Present): Fully redesigned, Euro V ready
Why You See So Many Canters in Malaysia
Take a drive through any industrial area — Klang, Penang, Johor — you’ll notice plenty of trucks with the three-diamond badge.
Here’s why Malaysian businesses trust the Canter:
✅ It’s always ready to work
✅ Saves fuel and protects your profit
✅ Easy to find parts anywhere
✅ Strong resale value
✅ Proven reputation for reliability
4.9 Million Businesses Agree
Since 1963, more than 4.9 million Canters have been sold around the world.
From Tokyo to Kuala Lumpur, from F&B suppliers to construction sites — businesses keep choosing Canter because it simply gets the job done.
That’s not marketing talk — that’s 60 years of real results.
The Latest Generation: Tested and Proven
The new TF Canter Euro V went through 7 million kilometers of testing — that’s three times more than the previous model.
It was tested in:
🌨 Cold European winters
🚛 Long North American highways
🏙 Busy Japanese cities
🔥 Hot and humid Southeast Asia
The result? A truck built to handle Malaysia’s roads and weather, backed by global standards.
Stronger Together: Daimler + Mitsubishi Fuso
In 2003, Mitsubishi Fuso became part of Daimler Trucks, the world’s largest commercial vehicle maker.
That means every Canter today comes with:
🔧 German engineering quality
🌏 Focus on Asian markets
💡 Strong research and development
🔩 Global parts support
🚀 Future-ready technology
The three-diamond badge now proudly carries Mercedes-Benz DNA.
More Than a Truck — A Reliable Partner
I’ve worked with many Malaysian business owners — from small family companies to big fleet operators.
And the ones who choose Canter all say the same thing:
They’re not just buying a truck.
They’re choosing a partner that supports their business every single day — reliable, fuel-efficient, and built to last.
Ready to Join the Canter Legacy?
Whether you’re:
🚚 Starting a delivery business
🏗 Growing your fleet
🔁 Replacing old trucks
🏢 Building a rental company
The question isn’t “Why Canter?”
It’s “Why risk anything else?”
Let’s Get Started
60 years of proven performance.
4.9 million satisfied owners.
One goal — to help your business move forward.
📞 Contact me today:
EZAD – 017 661 7101
Click here to direct Whatsapp me
✅ Get a quote
✅ Arrange a test drive
✅ Request detailed specs
✅ Discuss financing options
Next Read: [FUSO Canter Model Line-Up Explained →]
Author: Ezad Alfuso, Truck Sales Advisor at Petaling Jaya.