CMC to Launch Self-developed 3.49-Ton Diesel Truck in Mid-2013

Taipei, Oct. 2, 2012 (CENS)--Taiwan-based automaker China Motor Corp. (CMC), an affiliate of domestic Yulon Group, will launch its own branded CMC commercial vehicles locally in 2013, also trying to export such vehicles and win more contract-assembly orders from Japanese technical partner Mitsubishi Motors.

CMC is local assembler of Mitsubishi passenger cars, and has also been aggressively developing exports of self-developed mini commercial vehicles under the CMC brand.

Industry sources said that CMC will launch its first self-developed 3.49-ton diesel light truck with its own brand in mid-2013, targeting at the domestic market when the fifth-stage emission standard is in effect, with the truck to be priced NT$750,000 to NT$850,000 (US$25,000 to US$28,333), much more competitive with Japanese trucks that are assembled in Taiwan.

Industry sources said the fifth-stage emission standard will complicate production to also raise prices. The Fuso Canter, the most popular 3.49-ton diesel truck in Taiwan, was priced more than NT$700,000 (US$23,333), or over NT$900,000 (US$30,000) for the third- and fourth-stage versions, respectively, with the fifth-stage Canter expected to be about NT$1.2 million (US$40,000).

Industry insiders say that CMC is targeting the segment between higher-priced Japanese and lower-priced Chinese-branded diesel trucks, trying to build its own brand by utilizing 30 years of vehicle design and development capability, as well as vehicle-assembly experience.

Some local auto-parts makers have confirmed having received orders from CMC for the 3.49-ton truck. CMC's sole distributor for the Fuso Canter trucks is Shung Ye Motor Enterprise, but will allow another major distributor to sell CMC branded commercial vehicles on the island.