THE US west coast Port of Tacoma has taken delivery of its first Mitsubishi Fuso medium-duty truck from Japan.

The vehicle arrived onboard the Maersk Taiki and was sent directly into the adjacent 146-acre Marshall Avenue Auto Facility, a statement from port authority said.

"The addition of the Port of Tacoma to MFTA's logistical resources will shorten time to delivery for our dealers and customers in the Pacific Northwest, on both sides of the border," said Robert McDowell, president and CEO of Logan Township, New Jersey-based Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America (MFTA).

Previously, the company had to move vehicles to the Pacific Northwest from San Diego or Baltimore.

"We are honoured to have Mitsubishi Fuso call Tacoma home," said Andre Elmaleh, director of the port's Auto Line of Business. "Through our alliance with Auto Warehousing Company (AWC), our labour and transportation partners, our port's automotive and trucking customers are well-positioned to succeed in Tacoma."

He added that in 2006, more than 160,000 vehicles were processed through Tacoma.