Before you buy a 2011 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter in Uganda

by Edwin

The Mitsubishi Fuso Canter received a radical makeover in 2011. While the model was initially launched only with two wheel drive traction, shortly after it was followed by an all wheel drive variant. The vehicle is available in two versions including the single cab and crew cab models with 3 or 7 seats and a wheelbase length of 3415 mm and 3865 mm respectively. Depending on the model, the chassis load capacity ranges from 3500 kg to 3735 kg, offering a higher degree of versatility. The Mitsubishi Fuso Canter 6C18 has a permissible gross weight of 6.5 tones which gives it rough carrying abilities.

Before you buy a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter in Uganda

The Mitsubishi Fuso Canter is a line of light-duty commercial vehicle manufactured by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation since 1963. The range is currently marketed in Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Iran, and a number of Africa and Asian countries, as well as in the United States. The same range has been marketed by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America in North America since 1985, though it was called the FE model rather than the Canter until the 2012 model year. The Canter is named after the English word describing the gait of a horse, emphasizing the 'thoroughbred' nature of Mitsubishi trucks.

Click here to buy a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter or Mitsubishi Fuso Canter spare parts in Uganda

Buying a foreign used 2011 Mitsubishi Canter from a local Ugandan car bond

There are a number of car bonds in Uganda specifically Kampala from which you can buy your Mitsubishi Fuso Canter. However, you have to do good research in order to find a reputable car bond or dealer who will be able to provide you with the car that will meet your needs and above all genuinely imported into Uganda.

You need to look out for prices and discounts. Local car bonds may not charge the same prices for the same Mitsubishi Fuso Canter. Prices of the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter may be affected by mileage, condition of the truck, model, and year of manufacture.

Importing a foreign Used Mitsubishi Canter from Japan or other parts of the world

In case if you prefer to import your own Mitsubishi Fuso Canter from say Japan or from Europe, things change a bit. First it would require you to find a trusted dealer or seller in that regard, determine your specific car features and requirements, expected budget you plan to spend on buying the car and well calculated taxes to be paid to the tax authorities in order to clear Mitsubishi Fuso Canter.

It is also very important to examine the car upon arrival to check and see if all the car components are included in the car as it was shown to you before buying and importing it. You need to watch out for car spare tires, car jack, radio, navigation systems, window buttons among other things.

The taxes charged by the Uganda Revenue Authority include Import Duty, Value added (VAT), Withholding Tax, Environmental Levy, Infrastructure Levy, and Registration Fees basing on the CIF of the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter from Japan.

On arrival to Kampala, Uganda, you will have to clear the taxes at The Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), apply and pay for a number plate and then the third party license.

Click here to buy a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter or Mitsubishi Fuso Canter spare parts in Uganda

General Mitsubishi Canter reviews for Uganda

Design and Interior
Despite the fact that the new generation offers more space than the old one, the single cab seats still feel a bit cramped as comfort was sacrificed in the name of functionality. However, if you want more space you can choose the crew cab version which adds a full-width bench seat behind the front seats and can accommodate a total of 7 people.

One of the most noticeable features of the new generation Fuso is the gearshift, which is mounted on the dash. Thanks to this configuration the gearshift lever falls easily into hand and it’s not intrusive, unaffecting the passengers comfort. The overall build quality looks pretty solid and despite the cheap materials the fittings look durable.

Unfortunately the cabin lacks the storage places found at other trucks in the segment. While you’ll get standard electric windows and CD player, the driver’s air bag can be found only on the option list.

Engines and Ride
The 175 hp engine is mated to a 5 speed manual transmission with a rear axle ratio of 1:5.285. Featuring a short throw shift mechanism and precise selector gate, the new gear box offers smother shifts and a better response. The engine offers a strong pulling power from low down in the rev range and you won’t have any problems while moving big loads around town.

Despite its dimensions, the Fuso Canter is merges pretty well with city driving thanks to its relatively small turning circle (4x4: 13.5 m or 15.1 m, depending on version) and the two-metre width. The ground clearance is also pretty permissive and was increased from the standard 219 mm up to 320 mm giving to the foul wheel drive version better off road abilities. The high ground clearance is a big advantage as the Fuso Canter can venture on rough terrains without problems.

While the light steering makes the handling a drama free affair, the ride quality suffers a lot due to the fact that the front seats stay directly on top of the front axle, thus transmitting every road bump into the cabin. On the other hand, when the vehicle is fully loaded the ride gets slightly better and the body roll is limited.

One of the useful features of the Fuso Canter is that it’s all wheel drive system can be engaged and disengaged on the move, thus saving a lot of fuel when the full traction is not needed.

Compared with the standard version, the all wheel drive model has an angle of attack of 35 degrees (18 degrees for the standard model), while the angle of departure is 24 degrees (11 degrees for the standard model).

Click here to buy a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter or Mitsubishi Fuso Canter spare parts in Uganda

Availability of 2011 Mitsubishi Canter parts in Uganda

The Fuso Fighter spare parts are one of the common things in the auto-mobile markets in Uganda. This can be attributed to the very many Fuso Fighter trucks owned and imported into the country and they are relatively cheap to buy. This makes the Fighter a relatively low maintenance cost truck you can own in Uganda.

Our Verdict

The old Fuso Canter was perfectly suited for carrying heavy loads around the city and the new generation is even better. Now you get a modern design and more space inside together with a few technical upgrades which improve the carrying abilities of the vehicle. The new Fuso Canter comes in two cab versions and thanks to its capable engine it can deal effortlessly with big loads. It’s true that you may find the ride a bit too harsh, but this is a common weakness among the lightweight trucks.

Click here to buy a Mitsubishi Fuso Canter or Mitsubishi Fuso Canter spare parts in Uganda

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