Mitsubishi Fuso, the Japanese truckmaker, boosted European sales to a record 9,900 vehicles in the first half of the year after setting up sales operations in seven new markets, owner Daimler said Wednesday.

The Kawasaki, Japan company exports its small Fuso Canter delivery truck to Europe.

This year it has set up dealerships in Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro, increasing its European sales network to 33 countries.

The company said unit sales rose 15 per cent compared to one year earlier and had been the highest since Daimler took an 85-per-cent stake in Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC).

Worldwide, the company sold a total of 95,600 buses and trucks in the first half of 2008.