victory! Hino takes out two exclusive global awards

Transcription

1 Torque Issue 20 Spring 2012 Double victory! Hino takes out two exclusive global awards Advanced Hino multimedia units Enhanced safety and improved features as standard Hybrid servicing Enjoy the benefits of hybrid at no extra cost

2 IntroducIng a better class of multimedia player. At Hino, our multimedia player comes As standard. As the first truck company to include digital radio in its multimedia player, Hino really are a better class of truck. our state-of-the-art units are fitted across our entire range and are fully compatible with a wide range of media including dvd, cd, usb, ipod and iphone. you can even opt for extra features such as sat nav and reversing camera. if you are already a Hino truck owner then don t worry because these units can also be retro-fitted so you won t miss out. HMS00200/MM hino.com.au

3 In this issue 4 News Some of the latest Hino news from around the country cover story Inside line It seems like almost no time has passed since our last edition of Torque but in fact it s almost been three months! The pace is relentless here at Hino Australia, and 2012 is certainly looking like it will be a particularly strong year in terms of sales of new trucks, but also due to a number of significant achievements we have made as a business. It s with great pride we can report that in the six months to the end of June, a total of 2,014 new Hino trucks were delivered to Australian customers an increase of 15.7 per cent or 273 extra sales compared with the same period in This compares with an overall market growth rate of 8.9 per cent for the first half of the year. Strong sales across all segments have contributed to Hino growing its total year-to-date share of the truck market to 16.1 per cent. Significantly, we ve seen record demand for the new 300 Series range, capturing market share of 21 per cent so far this year. Demand for 500 and 700 Series models is also strong, as many customers return to the truck market following the constraints of the GFC. Stronger Hino sales makes great news for customers more people enjoying the quality, durability and reliability Hino trucks provide, all backed up by one of the largest sales, service and parts networks of any truck company in Australia. In fact, it s the strength of this network that forms the basis for our feature story this month. Hino Australia s parts and service department has recently been awarded a prestigious double gong award by parent company Hino Motors Limited Japan, in recognition of our continued high levels of customer service. All the details are on pages six to nine of this edition, but it goes without saying I am extremely proud of the efforts of every Hino employee right around the country. They are all to be congratulated on this truly remarkable achievement. One final note, we re always keen to hear what our customers are getting up to with their Hinos new or old which is why we ve decided to launch the Hino customer photo competition (see page 18). There s some great prizes to be won, so why not share your favourite Hino images with us! Steve Lotter President Hino Motor Sales Australia HINO TAKES OUT GLOBAL PARTS AND SERVICE AWARD Hino Australia s investment in parts warehouse and training pays off SAFETY FIRST WITH HINO S MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM Advanced multimedia system lets operators concentrate on the road SERVICE SIMPLICITY Hino Hybrid has the same service intervals and times as conventional trucks HIRE COMPANY BENEFITS FROM MINING BOOM Hino helps vehicle hire company meet the demands of the booming resources sector SAFE SEAT ISRI s 6800 Series air-adjustable driver s seat standard on new 500 and 700 Series trucks Rental business thrives with Hino Hire company grows its business and maintains repeat customers with Hino HINO S ADVANCED SAFETY TECHNOLOGY RECOGNISED Hino 300 Series picks up prestigious PowerTorque Magazine award hino customer photo competition Send in photos of your Hino at work and be in the running to win a Hino prize pack Hino dealer list Find your nearest Hino dealer Torque 3

4 news Hino Australia Divisional Manager Product Strategy, Marketing and Dealer Development, Alex Stewart. Hino sales continue strong growth in second quarter Free fuel for 10 Hino 300 customers Current and prospective Hino 300 Series owners are now enjoying their refuelling experience after winning one of 10 free BP fuel cards thanks to a Hino national retail campaign that ran from February to April. The 10 customers each won a $1000 fuel card as part of the Hino Australia national promotion by entering the draw to win a BP card. The outstanding prize coincided with Hino Australia s offer of free satellite navigation and single reversing camera upgrades for all new 300 Series customers between February and April. A record number of new Hino 300 Series models were delivered to Australian customers during this time, with each new owner benefiting from the combined functionality of Hino s outstanding factory-fitted multimedia system and the free accessories provided. Hino Australia s Divisional Manager Product Strategy, Marketing and Dealer Development, Alex Stewart said the Hino 300 Series is the safest, best performing, most efficient and most comfortable light duty truck on the Australian market, and the free accessories offer presented outstanding value for new customers. We re particularly pleased to have seen many customers who have taken a chance to test-drive the new 300 Series actually purchase a truck, thanks to its outstanding specification and all-round versatility, he said. Hino s Multimedia unit can be fitted with up to three reversing cameras, is equipped with DAB+ digital radio, features a large 6.1-inch touch-screen and is fully Bluetooth-enabled. The optional satellite navigation system (offered as part of this promotion) can be tailored to suit each truck, individual load and preferred driving route. The Hino multimedia unit is standard equipment on all 300, 500 and 700 Series models. It can also be fitted as an aftermarket accessory to any Hino model equipped with a 2-DIN radio mount provision. Hino Motor Sales Australia continued to grow sales and market share throughout the second quarter of 2012, as shown by official T-Mark figures compiled by peak industry body the Truck Industry Council of Australia. In the six months to the end of June, a total of 2014 new Hino trucks were delivered to Australian customers, representing an increase of 15.7 per cent or 273 extra sales compared with the same period in This compares with an overall market growth rate of 8.9 per cent for the first half of the year. Strong sales across all segments have contributed to Hino growing its total year-to-date share of the truck market to 16.1 per cent, up from 15.1 per cent last year. Hino Australia Divisional Manager Product Strategy, Marketing and Dealer Development, Alex Stewart, said Hino sales were particularly encouraging during the second quarter, having grown at 23.8 per cent against the market rate of 5.6 per cent. Hino is pleased to report both sales growth and an increased market share across all three truck market segments, he said. Sales of our medium and light duty models continue to grow well ahead of the market, with deliveries of our new 300 Series models rising 21.9 per cent year-to-date, for total sales figures of 891 and market share of almost 21 per cent. Deliveries of the popular Hino 500 Series and heavy-duty 700 Series also continue to grow, capturing market share of 27.2 per cent and 5.2 per cent respectively, he said. The popular Hino 500 Series range has recorded 859 deliveries in the first half of issue 20 SPRING 2012

5 news New Hinos bolster Australian defence capability Hino Australia recently completed the delivery of a batch of 56 new Hino 4x4 medium-duty trucks to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as part of a long-standing relationship between the two organisations. Hino s all-terrain 500 Series GT 4x4 has been chosen by Defence to fill a number of critical logistics roles around Australia, and has been configured in both GT 1322 standard cab and GT 1322 crew-cab specification. The Australian Defence Force has received more than 520 Hino trucks since 1995, with the 500th vehicle presented to ADF personnel in late June. Hino s GT 4x4 variants have been favoured by the Department of Defence because of their outstanding combination of reliability, durability and versatility, according to Hino Australia National Government Sales Manager, Tom Ayrton. The Hino GT is a versatile truck with exceptional off-road ability, civilised on-road handling and tremendous load-carrying ability making it the perfect vehicle for this very important noncombat application, he said. The purpose-specification trucks are equipped with a heavy-duty steel tray and tarp, tailgate loader, heavy-duty leaf spring suspension and all-terrain protection equipment such as Hino s genuine alloy bullbar. The Defence trucks are also fitted with 11R 22.5 wheel and tyre combinations which are the standard specification on all Hino 4x4 GT 500 Series models from July 2012 production. Mr Ayrton said Hino was able to meet an obligation to have the vehicles enter service by June 30 thanks to the efficiency of Hino s production system and a network of local supply partners. To get all 56 trucks delivered into service within three months is an outstanding achievement. It required a substantial team effort from Hino s Australian staff and Dealer network and key suppliers All Truck Bodies and VSE Engineering, Mr Ayrton added. Hino has partnered with fleet specialist financier LeasePlan as part of the Defence supply contract. Hino Corporate Business Manager Mike Smith hands over the keys to one of the new Hino 500 GT 4x4s. The Hino 500 Series GT 4x4s will carry out important logistics roles around Australia. Highway accident highlights Hino 300 s safety features The safety features of Hino trucks were put to a real-life test when a cow walked in front of a Hino 300 Series truck travelling on Highway 95 south of Newman, WA, in early August. En route to a customer in the fading light of late afternoon, the brandnew Hino 300 series truck struck the black cow while travelling at approximately 100km/h, damaging the cabin beyond repair. The driver, an employee of WA Hino, escaped without injury. According to WA Hino New Truck Sales consultant Mark Webster, the damage to the vehicle was very severe, but all safety features performed perfectly. The driver and passenger airbags, as well as the driver s seatbelt pre-tensioner, were deployed in the crash. And the collapsible steering column further removed risk of injury while the door intrusion bars prevented the doors and a pillar from collapsing, Mr Webster said. The effectiveness of the truck s safety features in this collision confirm the Hino 300 s worthiness of the Technology and Innovation Award awarded earlier in 2012 by the leading transport publication PowerTorque Magazine. Torque 5

6 cover feature Hino Australia wins Global Parts and Service Awards Hino Motor Sales Australia recently scored an exclusive global double award, having been named the 2011 Parts Department of the Year and 2011 Service Department of the Year by Hino Motors Limited Japan. Judged by senior Japanese management within the company, the awards are presented in recognition of worldwide distributor performance for the Japanese financial year ending March As a result the Australian division has also received the prestigious Double Victory award in recognition of outstanding performance achievement in key parts and service divisions. Hino Australia Divisional Manager, Product Support and Business Development, Greg Bleasel, said the awards recognised the important role the Australian operation plays within Hino globally. These awards re-affirm the positive work ethic and attitudes displayed by all members of the Hino Australia family, positioning the local operation as a model for the rest of the world, he said. The Australian Parts and Service operation has been a key focus for Hino, with a number 6 issue 20 SPRING 2012

7 cover feature Hino Australia s Greg Bleasel at the Hino Australian Parts Distribution Centre in Sydney. of significant upgrades made to our facilities and processes over the last five years. We re honoured to receive these awards following on from our first placing at the inaugural Hino Kaizen rally held in February this year, which was presented in recognition of Hino Australia s outstanding dedication in aftersales and Kaizen (Japanese for continuous improvement ) achievement. The investments we are making to better service our customers locally are fully supported by Hino Motors, meaning Hino owners can rely on parts and service being available where and when they need it, he said. The recent awards cap a significant longterm upgrade project at Hino s national Parts Distribution Centre in southern Sydney, which commenced in These facilities operate to world s best practice and have been significantly expanded to cater for the growing Australian Hino customer base. The Hino network in Australia caters for all truck sales, customer parts and service needs with a total of 45 dealer sites, plus 10 service and parts outlets nationally. These awards reaffirm the positive work ethic and attitudes displayed by all members of the Hino Australia family, positioning the local operation as a model for the rest of the world Torque 7

8 cover feature Hino Australia warehouse investment pays off The achievement of Hino Australia winning the global parts and service award has been made possible by Hino Australia s investment in its national parts distribution centre in Sydney. The launch of a raft of new models and a strong sales performance in 2008 meant the facility had reached its capacity in its previous configuration. Rather than incurring the expense of relocating to a new, larger facility (estimated at the time to cost $5 million) Hino was able to reconfigure the existing distribution centre by employing storage principles and processes derived from parent company Toyota. The ability to maintain 24-hour parts delivery was a key objective of the upgrade. The introduction of new reporting system software that more accurately measures and monitors the centre s productivity revealed that Hino can now provide a 24-hour service rate for orders 95 per cent of the time. Hino Australia Divisional Manager, Product Support and Business Development, Greg Bleasel, said that in the vast majority of cases orders received by 4pm will be dispatched by 5pm the same working day. This is an impressive performance standard when you consider that every month the distribution centre will ship thousands of parts worth millions of dollars to dealers in 45 national locations, he said. Mr Bleasel said holding a wider range and greater number of parts was necessitated by Hino s business growth. Our stock requirements have greatly increased; the distribution centre previously contained over 22,000 separate storage locations and was doing an admirable job. However, we have now increased overall storage by 28 per cent expanding the centre to include over 28,000 storage locations. The increased distribution centre capacity and service rate hold key advantages for Hino dealers and customers. Dealers have quicker access to a wider range of parts than they did before, so they don t need to keep a whole range of different parts and accessories themselves they can rely on the distribution centre to hold and rapidly deliver stock to them. Dealers can provide parts and accessories to customers and the trade more quickly, which assists in timely truck servicing and repair and gets trucks back on the road where our customers need them. Time off the road takes money out of our customers pockets, so anything we can do to reduce this such as the 95 per cent service rate is an obvious benefit for them, Mr Bleasel said. Dealers have quicker access to a wider range of parts they can rely on the distribution centre to hold and rapidly deliver stock to them Hino s parts and distribution centre contains over 28,000 storage locations. 8 issue 20 SPRING 2012

9 cover feature Training and skills a top priority for Hino Ensuring its technicians and service and parts staff are highly trained has always been a high priority for Hino Australia. Hino Australia s continuing investment in its Technical Training Centre has ensured Hino service technicians are among the country s most qualified and skilled. In 2007 Hino Australia launched its Dealership Network Technical Training Program, where service technicians spend many hours honing their skills in the Training Centre. Hino contributes to the program s success by subsidising the service technician training costs for dealerships. Hino Australia invested over $300,000 in upgrading the Training Centre facilities and equipment in 2008, including refurbishment, tools, diagnostic equipment and computers also saw the introduction of Hino Australia s inaugural National Skills Contest. Held over three days at the Training Centre, service technicians from dealerships around the country use their diagnostic and mechanical skills to address real-world service situations. The top three contestants that year went on to win the Diagnostic category of Hino s 37th International Service Technical Contest held in Japan. Since then the skills contest has grown in popularity with dealership technicians, with a record number participating in Hino Australia also conducts an annual Parts Proficiency Program for all parts interpreters from across the Hino dealer network, with the objective of evaluating the various skills of counter and phone room staff. This focus on parts proficiency helped Hino Australia win the 2010 Hino Parts Department of the Year award, presented by parent company Hino Motors Limited. In 2011 Hino Australia won the Hino Parts Department of the Year, Hino Service Department of the Year and Double Victory awards in the worldwide Hino competition. The competition is being run again in 2012, with the evaluation criteria including inventory National Skills Contest participants test their skills with tasks that simulate real-life situations. control (service rate, stock order cycle, etc), sales management (sales per unit compared with last year and sales plan achievement rate) and a new customer service improvement component. Hino Australia recently implemented a Hino Quality Service (HQS) Spirit training qualification level in its internal training system. This takes the form of a passport, which provides a convenient way for Hino to keep track of the training expertise of its technicians and for the individuals themselves to retain a record of the training they ve completed. Torque 9

10 feature Safety first with Hino s advanced multimedia system Hino s new multimedia system lets operators concentrate on the road while enjoying a range of benefits. All Hino 300, 500 and 700 Series trucks manufactured from September 2011 onwards feature the industry s most advanced multimedia system as factory-fitted standard equipment. The system was designed in Australia with input from Hino truck customers and includes an extensive list of advanced features such as DAB+ digital radio, which provides AM and FM radio with CD quality sound, exclusive digital-only stations and DAB+ exclusive news information. The new Hino unit eclipses those fitted to the majority of luxury cars Hino remains the only truck manufacturer in the world to offer DAB+ digital radio capability as standard equipment across its model range. Other features include a 6.1-inch highdefinition touch-screen, conventional AM/FM radio receivers, CD and DVD player, USB input for connecting portable audio players and an SD card reader for accessing digital photographs, video and audio files. The system also features the latest Bluetooth TM hands-free phone connectivity with voice dialling and full phone book functionality, as well as A2DP audio file Bluetooth streaming functionality. This boosts safety by allowing the user to speak hands-free and listen to music via their iphone or compatible Bluetooth equipped MP3 device wirelessly. Hino Product Planning Manager Daniel Petrovski said the system provided benefits to all customers no matter their line of work. Our all-new in-dash multimedia unit is designed to be user-friendly, featuring the latest in vehicle technology, and most importantly contributes to vehicle safety, he said. Not only is this the most advanced multimedia unit ever fitted to a truck, the new Hino unit eclipses those fitted to the majority of luxury cars. In addition, the multimedia system can display vision from three optional exterior infra-red cameras and can be fitted with an advanced, truck-specific satellite navigation system (see breakout opposite). Hino s new multimedia unit is covered by Hino s three-year, bumper-tobumper nationwide warranty. 10 issue 20 SPRING 2012

11 feature Hino multimedia system key features 6.1-inch high-definition colour TFT touch-screen Large push buttons and rotary knobs for easy operation Audio and video file compatible CD/DVD player Bluetooth version 2.0 phone and audio streaming (with voice and one-touch dialling) DAB+ digital radio AM/FM radio (12 AM and 18 FM preset stations) Optional satellite navigation package with 2D or 3D city modelling Latest NAVTEQ mapping (with more than 600,000 points of interest and 12.5 million addresses) Truck-tailored navigation, including warnings (school zones, traffic cameras, speed alerts) Up to three infra-red cameras (optional) MP3, WAV, MPEG4, AVI and DIVX compatibility Front and rear auxiliary inputs SD and USB connection ports Full ipod and iphone compatibility 800mhz processor 512Mb hard-drive memory 4 x 40-watt speaker outputs Hino s multimedia system is available as an aftermarket accessory for all older Hino models with 2-Din accessory mounting provision. Expanded abilities The safety and convenience benefits of Hino s new multimedia system can be enhanced by the addition of the following OEM features. Up to three exterior Hino infra-red rearvision cameras can be fitted and viewed on the high definition multimedia screen. The cameras vision can be viewed in a variety of configurations, including all three views simultaneously in a split-screen arrangement for added functionality. The main camera is also sound equipped. The optional truck-specific satellite navigation system has a number of advanced features, including the ability to take specific vehicle characteristics, such as dimensions and gross vehicle weights, into consideration when planning a route. Mr Petrovski said the new navigation system changes the way Australian truck drivers can reach their destinations. The system can be tailored to suit each individual truck or load, with the driver being able to input critical data like the truck s height, weight and dangerous goods classification, he said. The navigation system then calculates a route that s appropriate, avoiding low bridges, weight-restricted roads and dangerous goods-restricted areas, directing the driver in one of 17 different languages. Torque 11

12 hybrid servicing Service simplicity To reduce maintenance costs and make operating a fleet more efficient for owners, Hino s new-generation 300 Series Hybrid trucks have exactly the same regular service intervals and in-workshop service times as Hino s conventional diesel-engined trucks. When developing the new-generation Hino Hybrid system, engineers ensured the main electrical components of the Hybrid system (the motor, inverter and 288-volt nickel-metal hydride battery) were completely maintenance-free. Backing up this commitment, the battery pack has a five-year factory warranty. It is technically similar in design to the battery used in other Toyota group Hybrid products. With over four million Toyota group Hybrid vehicles now in operation worldwide, it has forged a reputation for reliability and durability in all manner of extreme operational conditions around the world. Hino Australia Manager Product Planning, Daniel Petrovski, said Hino Hybrid 300 Series operators can budget on identical service costs to a conventional dieselengined light duty truck. Hino designers and engineers have ensured the service times and procedures are the same as those for any conventional diesel truck, making the prospect of owning a Hybrid even more attractive, he said. Because the Hybrid model s diesel engine and main driveline components are technically the same, and the main Hybrid electrical components are maintenance-free, the cost and time taken to service the two different models are all but the same. Hino Hybrid operators can enjoy the benefits of the Hybrid model s fuel-savings and reduced greenhouse gas emissions without any downside or penalty when it comes to regular maintenance, he said. Regular scheduled services begin at 20,000km and continue at 20,000km intervals. The factory recommended service time for most regular services on Hino 300 Series is 150 minutes, Mr Petrovski said. The diesel engine uses the same grade and quantity of engine oil, the filters are identical to the conventional diesel 300 Series, and the easy tilt-cab on all single cab models makes the job of servicing simple for technicians. 12 issue 20 SPRING 2012

13 hybrid servicing Service cost and time for the Hino Hybrid s diesel engine are the same as for a conventional diesel truck. Hino Hybrid 300 Series operators can budget on identical service costs to a conventional dieselengined light duty truck Mr Petrovski said Hino adopted the new ProShift 5 automated manual transmission (AMT) as standard fitment when it launched the new-generation Hybrid 300 Series in 2011, which has also been engineered for long service life and reduced maintenance. The ProShift 5 AMT was part of a raft of improvements engineered into the new Hybrid 300 Series, with Australian engineers relaying customer feedback to Hino Motors Limited in Japan on exactly what was best suited to local conditions. Hino developed a new-generation parallel Hybrid system for the 2011 Hino Hybrid 300 model, and expanded the range from two to eight models to give customers a choice of cabin width, wheelbase, front suspension type and payload. The Hybrid model s Hino M550 five-speed ProShift 5 AMT features an easy, two-pedal operation for drivers. It can be driven in D range with gear changes performed automatically by the vehicle, or in S range with sequential driver-determined shifting. Power comes from a combination of Hino s N04C-UR 4.0-litre diesel engine and Hino s AC Synchronous electric motor. The diesel engine has a maximum 110kW and 420Nm of torque while the electric motor has a maximum 36kW and 333Nm of torque which is used to supplement the diesel engine and reduce diesel consumption. Hino Hybrid 300 Series can be used in electric-drive-only EV mode in stop-start traffic (subject to the level of battery charge). The Hino ProShift 5 automated manual transmission has a long service life with minimal maintenance. The electrical components of the hybrid battery are maintenance-free and backed by a fiveyear factory warranty. Torque 13

14 feature Hino helps hire company benefit from mining boom The versatility and reliability of Hino trucks is helping a specialised vehicle hire company in WA s north-west meet the fleet demands of the region s booming resources and construction sector. McLaren s Raw Hire has grown from humble beginnings to become a leading vehicle hire company in the Pilbara region. The company has a solid reputation as a one-stop-shop for its clients in the mining, construction and energy industries by offering the most extensive fleet range in the north-west. To meet the region s growing demand for sitespecific vehicles McLaren s Raw Hire has doubled its fleet in the last two years, which includes about 30 Hinos purchased through WA Hino in Perth. WA Hino dealer principal Paul McGovern said McLaren s Raw Hire had been a valued Hino customer for the last five years. They hire out a wide range of Hino trucks, like 300 Series, 300 crew cab, FG, FM, to name a few, to cover the Pilbara s need for specialised fleets suited to specific projects and conditions, Mr McGovern said. McLaren s Raw Hire general manager Byron Smith said Hino 300 Series flat tray models were the most popular with its clients. The adaptability and reliability of the Hino trucks make them a popular choice for our customers, so we re happy to have so many in our fleet, Mr Smith said. They are used in a range of applications, such as transporting workers and equipment to and from sites. McLaren s Raw Hire also offers specialised trucks like Hino tippers and heavy-duty crane trucks that are fitted to suit resources and construction environments. The Hino trucks are modified prior to delivery to suit the varied applications and to meet safety requirements on resources projects. All the Hinos are fitted with handrails, Mr Smith said. Other common modifications include rollover protection, bull-bars, lights and aerials. Keeping the fleet up to date is a priority for us. McLaren s Raw Hire has the newest models available for its customers wherever possible, so our stock is usually replaced every three to four years. The adaptability and reliability of the Hino trucks make them a popular choice for our customers, so we re happy to have so many in our fleet Mr Smith said the regular turnover meant the company s customers got the advantages of the latest Hino comfort and safety features, plus the reliability and ease of use the brand was known for. With the resources boom in WA s north-west showing no signs of slowing down, McLaren s Raw Hire is set to continue its rapid growth. Mr Smith said the company had grown in line with the enormous demand, so much so that it was actually a challenge to keep up with new projects as they came on line. McLaren s Raw Hire was founded by Sean and Lisa Clarke in Karratha in It has branches in Karratha and Port Hedland and a corporate office in Perth. Hino s range of reliable and versatile trucks has helped McLaren s Raw Hire meet the fleet demands of the state s resources sector. 14 issue 20 Spring 2012

15 safety and comfort The ISRI 6800 Series seat features easy-toreach lumbar, recline and suspension controls. All ISRI seats fitted to Hino trucks feature an integrated seatbelt for maximum driver comfort. Safe seat Hino has made ISRI s 6800 Series fully air-adjustable driver s seat standard equipment on all new 500 and 700 Series trucks. In an effort to provide the best possible driver comfort and safety, all 500 and 700 Series models delivered to customers are now factory-equipped with the worldrenowned ISRI 6800 Series driver s seat. Designed in Europe and universally accepted as the best seat on the market, the ISRI 6800 Series seat is fully air adjustable and can be configured to the body type of almost any driver. Importantly, the ISRI seat selected by Hino features a fully integrated seat-mounted seatbelt for ultimate comfort. Daniel Petrovski, Hino Australia Manager Product Planning said the ISRI seatbelt design as fitted to Hino seats provides drivers with a considerably more comfortable ride compared with trucks featuring pillar-mounted seatbelts. When it comes to air-adjustable suspension seats, it s important for the seatbelt to be able to move with the motion of the driver to prevent belt-tightening across the shoulder which can be extremely uncomfortable, he said. Other seats fitted to competing trucks are equipped with cheaper, pillar-mounted belts and because they are uncomfortable to wear many drivers simply don t buckle up. Not only is this seat renowned as the most comfortable that money can buy, it has been specifically designed to reduce driver fatigue and improve driver safety by making the process of wearing a seatbelt more comfortable, Mr Petrovski said. The ISRI 6800 seat s height, rake, cushion tilt, backrest, lumbar support and side bolsters can all be adjusted by the driver using easy-to reach controls on the side of the seat. Each adjustment can be made in super-fine increments to suit the needs of individual drivers. The seat also features a unique dual-stage Integrated Pneumatic System (IPS) to control lumbar support and side bolsters, using compressed air sourced from the truck s onboard air supply. Up to 100mm of air height adjustment is provided, which has a memory function for when the truck is turned off at the end of a drive. The seat automatically senses the weight of the driver, unlike other styles of seat that require each driver to manually dial in their weight. The automatic suspension of the seat can be adjusted from soft to firm using an in-built shock absorber (also controlled using a button on the side of the seat). All 500 and 700 Series trucks from January 2012 production onward are equipped with the ISRI 6800 Series seat. For more information or a test ride contact your nearest Hino dealer, or visit Torque 15

16 business Rental business thrives with Hino The ease-of-use and reliability of Hino trucks has helped a Perth-based vehicle hire company to grow its business while maintaining a core of satisfied repeat customers. Located in the Perth suburb of South Guildford, Rent WA recently purchased three new Hinos to replace trucks from another manufacturer. The two 300 Series 616 medium autos and one 616 long crew auto join the 100 or so Hinos in a total fleet of about 300 trucks across Rent WA and its sister branch in Darwin, Rent NT. For Michael Lenderink, who owns and operates both businesses with his wife Carole, the decision to acquire so many Hino trucks has been a simple one. I ve been in the truck rental business for 29 years, and I ve had a lot of positive experiences with Hino over that time, he said. The Hinos are user-friendly and easy to drive. Our customers have no trouble operating them and only have positive feedback. With most of our customers not being used to driving trucks, Easy-Start is a great feature from our point of view as it helps to avoid clutch-riding on hills. This high level of customer satisfaction contributes to a large percentage of repeat business for Rent WA. We have a very good retention rate, with a lot of repeat business from both our corporate and retail clients, Mr Lenderink said. The Hino brand is well known and trusted. Customers have a good experienc when they hire a Hino from us and they keep coming back The Hino brand is well known and trusted. Customers have a good experience when they hire a Hino from us and they keep coming back. Another reason for trusting in Hino lies in the strong relationship forged between Mr Lenderink and WA Hino. I ve been buying trucks off Paul McGovern [Dealer Principal] at WA Hino for 26 years, he said. It s great to have built up such a lengthy and worthwhile partnership over that time. Even though Rent WA updates its fleet regularly to ensure its customers have access to the latest Hino safety and comfort features, some of the older trucks in the fleet show no sign of needing replacement just yet. Some of our Hinos are up to seven years old, but there s nothing wrong with them and our customers are very happy with their performance, Mr Lenderink said. We use genuine Hino parts and accessories on all our Hinos, so I m sure that contributes to their hassle-free operation and longevity. Rent WA was established in 2005 and Rent NT opened in Darwin in issue 20 Spring 2012

17 safety Hino Australia s Alex Stewart (left) accepts the award from Motoring Matters Magazine Group Managing Editor and Publisher, Chris Mullett. Hino s advanced safety technology recognised at awards The Hino 300 Series light-duty truck range has picked up the prestigious PowerTorque Magazine Technology and Innovation Award for Awarded in recognition of the company s decision to introduce advanced new safety technology to the trucking industry, the PowerTorque Magazine award was presented at a gala ceremony held by the publication s parent Motoring Matters Magazine Group in Melbourne at the end of May. Hino Australia Divisional Manager Product Strategy, Marketing and Dealer Development, Alex Stewart, accepted the award on behalf of Hino. The judges attributed the win to a number of advanced technological features fitted to the all-new Hino 300 Series, including life-saving Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) as standard fitment across the entire range, and applauded Hino s decision to launch the light-duty truck (including Hybrid models) with passenger-car levels of safety equipment. In addition to VSC, Hino 300 Series technologies include dual front SRS airbags, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, ABS anti-lock braking systems, an integrated FUPS (Front Under-run Protection System) on all wide cab models, Our aim with the new 300 Series was to provide customers with what we believe to be the safest light-duty truck on the market and a DAB+ digital-radio multimedia unit that can be optioned with up to three rear view cameras and safety-focused truck-specific satellite navigation. Mr Stewart said Hino Australia was honoured to receive the award in recognition of the company s ongoing push to bring about drastic improvements to the safety of new trucks sold in Australia. The addition of Vehicle Stability Control as standard equipment across the new 300 Series range was a decision made early in the product planning process in light of the ever-expanding customer base for this type of truck, he said. An increasing number of rental and fleet buyers are selecting light-duty trucks in place of utility vehicles, meaning a broader selection of drivers are now behind the wheel of trucks. A significant proportion of truck accidents can be prevented using advanced driver-aid technologies like VSC, and our aim with the new 300 Series was to provide customers with what we believe to be the safest light-duty truck on the market. We extend our thanks and appreciation to Chris and his team at PowerTorque for their recognition of our positive contribution to the trucking industry in Australia, he added. Torque 17

18 competition Win with the Hino customer photo competition! Almost 4000 new Hinos make their way to Australian customers each year, and we re keen to find out exactly where they end up. And what better way to show off what you put your Hino through than sharing a photo with us! Hino Prize packs will be on offer in each edition of Torque for the best photos we receive so dust off those cameras and show us your truck doing something unique! Send your photos (hi-res JPEG via , or prints via post), along with your contact details and a brief description to: torque@hino.com.au Hino Australia Torque photo competition 6-10 Parraweena Road, Caringbah NSW issue 20 Spring 2012

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20 shift to a better class of truck. Hino s ProShift Automated Manual Transmission provides the ultimate choice. Featuring state-of-the-art electronic control for swift gear changing it has the potential to not only improve driveability, but also increase fuel savings. Versatile, powerful and efficient, this is what makes Hino s 500 Series a better class of truck. HMS00200/PS hino.com.au