Competition is heating up between Isuzu and Fuso when it comes to sales. Fuso sales are up 114% this year as the brand maintains second place behind Isuzu. Fuso is quickly gaining New Zealand market share under the guidance of Fuso New Zealand Ltd, who took over the brand‘s distribution from Mitsubishi New Zealand in 2016.

NZTA May registration figures for heavy vehicles from 4501kg to maximum GVM show Fuso as the top performer with 105 units sold (this figure includes four buses) a step ahead of rival Isuzu who sold 99 units (including three buses).

This week‘s updated figures show Isuzu had the edge in June and sold more vehicles.

Year to date figures have the two Japanese brands at the top of the leader board, although Isuzu‘s total of 593 sales is ahead of Fuso‘s 502. Hino is in third place with 314 sale, one less than this time last year.

Fuso New Zealand Managing Director Kurtis Andrews says, “Over the past 10 months we‘ve been working hard to get Fuso back up and fully operational again. Other than our fairly modest Canter Tipper campaign, marketing has taken a backseat to higher priorities , so the result, which reflects a good mix of product, is pleasing. That said, we‘re not getting ahead of ourselves, we‘re happy to just keep building the business and let market share take care of itself.”

Fuso to introduce new 10 to 40 tonne trucks

On the back of the continued strengthening in their sales data, Fuso‘s portfolio of products offered to the New Zealand market will be enhanced in the early part of next year. Fuso New Zealand Ltd has announced its intentions to supplement the current line-up with new offerings in the distribution and vocational markets from 10 to 40 tonne gross, including a number of work ready to options.

Kurtis Andrews said, “Having models in the range that cater for vocational work and distribution tasks where the truck is not the central pivot for the owner, but rather an essential spoke in their core business, we see as great option. Bringing Fuso‘s reliability and dealer capabilities to these businesses at price-point that gives them the opportunity to enhance their operation with a strong, reliable, and proven local brand has to be good business all round.”