The two partners will focus primarily on hydrogen fuel cell research

The ultimate purpose of the project is to help address Japan’s increasing shortage of long-distance truck drivers.

MFTBC vehicles are imported into Singapore by Goldbell Engineering Pte Ltd, its local distributor for the last 40 years.

The Malaysian government mandated that all diesel fuels for commercial vehicles comply with Euro V specifications as of April 1, 2021.

The facility is to be built next to the company’s main truck manufacturing plant in Kawasaki in partnership with Singapore-based True 2 Materials Pte Ltd (T2M).

The company said the project aims to not only automate the ordering processes but also monitor shipments and estimate, in real time, the arrival of components at assembly plants across Japan.

MFTBC first started trials of the new model in November 2023 in Kawasaki City, in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment.

Fuso confirmed the trials would take place using its light-duty eCanter trucks equipped with Ample’s swappable battery module.

The eCanter was first unveiled in Indonesia at last year’s GIIAS by the company’s local distribution partner, PT Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian Motors (KTB).

The truck is to be imported by MFTBC’s local distributor, Daimler Truck Asia Taiwan Ltd, based in Taipei.

Mitsubishi Fuso in April launched the training programme targeted at young aftermarket mechanics.

Temsa SA of Adana began selling the truck in June - sourced as completely built-up units from MFTBC’s assembly plant in Tramagal, Portugal.