John Schaaf, senior vice president of operations for MFTA, announced the 25-dealer increase in the company's North American distribution network. "This is the biggest annual expansion we've seen since our early days in the U.S. market," Schaaf said. "Dealers have actually been coming and seeking us out to start a dialogue. That tells us we're doing the right kind of work in this market." Asked what he thinks is driving the increased dealer interest in MFTA, Schaaf said, "We believe it's the result of three things: our continued innovations in product design, our best-in-class warranty coverage, and our commitment to our dealer network, as evidenced by our ATD Survey results." With its increased dealer network, MFTA believes it is particularly well positioned to increase its market share through 2007. The company has a strong inventory of new 2007 models with 2004-EPA-compliant engines for sale in the first half of the year, redesigned class 6 and class 7 models coming out as 2008 models around mid-year, and some innovations in the technology it is using to meet the new 2007 EPA emissions requirements that it believes will make its trucks more drivable than some of its competitors. About Mitsubishi Fuso
Headquartered in Logan Township, NJ, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc., is a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation, Tokyo, part of DaimlerChrysler's Commercial Vehicle Division (CVD). MFTA markets a complete line of diesel-powered, medium-duty cabover trucks through more than 190 dealer locations throughout the United States and Canada. Currently, there are more than 80,000 Mitsubishi Fuso standard, 4 wheel drive and crew cab trucks in use in the U.S. and Canada, fulfilling the transportation needs of a wide variety of businesses and industries, including beverage, refrigerated and dry cargo delivery fleets, vehicle recovery, towing, pest control, plumbing, light construction and landscaping.