Daimler hybrid centre to develop hybrid commercial vehicles globally

Mumbai: Daimler Trucks inaugurated the new Global Hybrid Centre at Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) in Kawasaki Japan. Located within the company's R&D facilities, the centre will be the worldwide hub for Daimler Trucks' hybrid development.

MFTBC is an integral part of the Daimler Trucks division of Daimler AG, and one of Asia's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.

According to a company official, the role of the new global hybrid centre is to direct and synchronise Daimler trucks hybrid development activities on a global basis. All of Daimler Trucks hybrid activities will be aligned under the centre, including regional hybrid personnel at Daimler Trucks divisions MFTBC, Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Daimler Trucks North America LLC.

Fumio Akikawa, the newly appointed director of the Global Hybrid Centre. has 35 years of automotive and truck industry expertisw. He will also continue in his current role as director of powertrain development for MFTBC.

MFTBC was ideal location for the centre as the company has been developing hybrid vehicles for over 10 years and currently offers fuel efficient, low emissions products like the Canter Eco Hybrid light-duty truck and the Aero Star Eco Hybrid bus for the Japan market. The company has also developed the Canter Eco-D, a concept hybrid light-duty dump truck.

Daimler Trucks and Mitsubishi Fuso had recently launched Europe's largest fleet test of hybrid trucks comprising ten Canter Eco Hybrids to eight customers in London. The three-year evaluation will examine the use of the 7.5-ton hybrid trucks by customers and demonstrate the diesel-electric hybrid drive's high level of efficiency.

The vehicles in the test could consume up to 15 per cent less fuel than conventional diesel vehicles, and also significantly reduce CO2 emissions, says Daimler. (Also see: Daimler to test 10 hybrid trucks in road driving conditions in London)