DAKAR RALLY 2013 - Hino

Torque
Issue 21 Summer 2013
DAKAR RALLY 2013
13 wins for Hino
HINO ROADSIDE ASSIST
Peace of mind at no extra cost
HYBRID SAVINGS
Coles trial confirms Hino Hybrid
Hino Maintenance
agreements
Minimise your operational costs

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

In this issue
4
News
The latest Hino news from around the country
cover story
Inside line
Welcome to the first edition of Hino Torque for 2013. All indications are
it’s going to be a big year for our customers. Never in the history of the
commercial vehicle market has so much attention been given to customer
requirements. Last year we saw strong market growth, with a number
of major operators who’d been delaying upgrading their trucks as a
consequence of the GFC coming back into the market.
This year others are planning to follow – some of them after an absence of several
years. And they’re entering a substantially different environment.
In just half a decade new trucks have become more efficient, even more driverfriendly
and a lot safer. On top of that, customers will find a level of care which
rivals, and in many cases betters, that offered in the passenger car sector.
Hino has led many of the changes. In 2012 we won the Power Torque Safety
and Technology award in recognition of the many safety features, including
standard fitment of lifesaving vehicle stability control, to our 300 Series models.
Talk to anyone who’s driven it. They love the security.
Additionally, since its launch in September, take-up of our new ProShift automated
manual transmission in our FC and FD 500 Series has been strong, pointing
toward the ever-changing interests of buyers in the medium duty market.
This driver-friendly powertrain is becoming a benchmark in the market.
The big news for Hino in 2013 is the increased levels of customer care which
owners can expect. On January 1 Hino Australia inaugurated its national roadside
assistance program – a service as good as any in the truck market.
Buyers of all 2013-plated Hinos will receive this comprehensive service. It covers
everything from battery replacement, emergency start-up and ultimately towing,
through to changing tyres.
New Hino owners are also able to invest in the just-launched Hino Maintenance
Agreement program. On top of the three-year factory warranty it provides a suite
of four maintenance packages – from standard scheduled servicing through to the
most extensive servicing that may be required by Australia’s leading fleet operators.
Hino will work with its customers to choose a package that suits their long-term
projections and allows them to budget for capped all-of-life maintenance.
The totally intended sidebar is that used Hinos remain incredibly reliable and
continue to perform at their best – and that should mean better resale value.
Last year, thanks to our customers’ faith in us, Hino pushed above 4,200 new
truck deliveries. It’s impossible to overstate how much that trust means to us.
We’ll spend 2013 building on it.
Steve Lotter
President
Hino Motor Sales Australia
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Dakar 2013
Thorough preparation at the heart of Hino’s
success at Dakar Rally 2013
2012 PLATE CLEARANCE
The 2012-plate clearance applies across
the Hino range
FLEET CUSTOMERS GET UP
TO SPEED
Hino Hybrid has the same service intervals
and times as conventional trucks
TRAINING KEY TO CUSTOMER
SATISFACTION
The upgrade of Hino Australia’s national
training centre reaffirms its commitment to
customer satisfaction
Coles Fuel Trial
Confirms Hybrid Savings
The potential fuel savings of Hino Hybrid
trucks have been confirmed by an
independent fuel comparison test
FREE ROADSIDE ASSIST
PROGRAM
Take the hassle out of emergency repairs
with Hino’s new Roadside Assist service
MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS
Get the right level of servicing for your
needs and budget
SHIFTING TO AMT
See what a trucking journalist thinks of the
new Hino ProShift AMT
CLUTCH PROMOTION
Hino’s replacement clutch kit promotion
emphasises the value for money of all
Hino Genuine parts
PHOTO COMPETITION
Check out this edition’s winning entry
Hino dealer list
Find your nearest Hino dealer
Torque
3

news
Prestige Supports
Windermere golf day
Hino has Local
Government Impact
Hino Australia representatives attended the LOGOV (local
government conference) Expo 2012 with dealers from Scifleet
and Hi-Way1 in October.
Hino Australia Regional Sales Manager Karl Hancox said the LOGOV
Expo remains the only show in Queensland that serves the entire
Public Works industry.
Hino truck models on display included a 700 Series FS Tipper and an FM
2630 Auto water truck which generated positive feedback and interest.
“We also showed off the 300 Series Hybrid truck, 300 Series crew cab
and the new ProShift 500 Series,” Mr Hancox said.
Queensland’s premier exposition of construction plant, materials,
equipment and services to local government and the land development
industry was held at Caboolture on Queensland’s Sunshine coast.
Over 5000 visitors and buyers from federal, state and local government
bodies, engineers, planners, contractors, consultants and the general
public attended the expo.
Exhibits ranged from heavy machinery, road safety and survey
equipment through to turf, landscaping and playground equipment
and water-wise innovations.
“This expo gave us the opportunity to catch up with lots of new contacts
in regional councils and show them what we offer,” Mr Hancox said.
“Most of them live some distance away from our local dealers, so
it is a good opportunity for them to see how much we have added
to our product range.”
Prestige Hino in Melbourne
has raised $12,300 for local
charity Windermere during
its annual golf day at the
Sandhurst club in Victoria.
“Windermere is a charity
supporting children and families
in need across south-east
Melbourne,” said Prestige Hino
Dealer Principal Anthony Long.
A speaker from Windermere
shared an insight into the
valuable work that this charity
does in the local community.
On the golf course there were
‘charity holes’ designed to
raise some extra funds, which
consisted of a chipping challenge
and magic rope that allowed
competitors to get their ball six
metres closer to the hole.
The competition followed an
Ambrose format, with 102
players taking part on the day.
Event sponsors included Genuine
Truck Bodies/VSE, Jeff Wignall
Group, Ferntree Gully Toyota,
STR, Prestige Truck Bodies,
Hyva, Castrol, Toyota Finance,
Trader Classifieds, 600 Cranes,
Attards and Hino Australia.
There were also auction
items and prizes donated by
Coffey Ford, Hyva, Kingpin,
360 Degree Focus and Premium
Warranties Australia.
Hino expands genuine accessory range
Hino has expanded its range
of quality genuine accessories
with the addition of a new
range of headlamp protectors
and dash mats to suit 300,
500 and 700 Series trucks.
Custom-formed in acrylic, the new
headlamp protectors are specifically
contoured to fit the headlamps of
Hino 300 Series wide cab models to
protect the truck’s headlamps from
minor road damage. Importantly,
they are fully compatible with
vehicles fitted with a genuine
Hino bull bar.
4 issue 21 SUMMER 2013
All Hino Genuine headlamp protectors
come as a kit, including instructions
and all required fasteners.
“Fitment of the headlamp protectors
takes around 15 minutes, and for
the added protection from stones
and small impacts it’s well worth
installing a set on your truck,”
said Greg Bleasel, Hino Divisional
Manager Product Support and
Business Development.
The new Hino Genuine dash mats
are formed to neatly and securely
fit the dashboards of 300, 500
and 700 Series trucks.
The dash mats block harmful UV
rays to prolong the appearance
and life of the truck’s dashboard.
“The dash mats prevent sun
damage while also reducing glare,”
said Mr Bleasel.
“Unlike some other dash mats,
the Hino Genuine items are made
from high-quality materials, and
they are compatible with driver
and passenger SRS air bags.”
Hino Genuine dash mats and
headlamp protectors are available
now and ready to order through
Hino’s national dealer network.

Hino customers get up-close in Japan
Hino Australia hosted a group of
customers to Japan in December to visit
the Hino Motors Limited (HML) facilities
and familiarise them with the size and
scale of the Hino operation.
The group visited HML’s head office and
factory at Hino City where Hino medium-duty
500 Series and heavy-duty 700 Series models
are manufactured.
They also inspected Hino’s Hamura factory
at Hamura City, which produces Hino’s lightduty
300 Series trucks and Toyota’s Prado
and FJ Cruiser models.
Hino’s test track facility at Hamura provided
the opportunity for the group to test-drive
300 Series Hybrid, 300 Series 4x4 and FC
and FD ProShift models.
Discussions were also held with senior Hino
Hino’s test track facility.
management, including Managing Officer in
Charge of Product Development, Mr Kakizawa.
On the return trip they visited Hino’s
manufacturing facility in Bangkok, where the FL
model is produced for the Australian market.
Hino Motor Sales Australia (HMSA) President
news
and COO Steve Lotter said the trip was a great
opportunity for their customers to gain an
understanding of what lies behind the brand.
“Trips like this are a good way to give our
customers an understanding of Hino’s
commitment to quality, durability and reliability
in every vehicle we make.
“It’s also a great opportunity for them to get
to know us, and for both parties to build a
strong business relationship,” he said.
The tour group consisted of representatives
from key Hino customers and a number of
Hino dealer principals.
Also in attendance were HMSA Chairman
and CEO Ken Sekine, Executive Coordinator
Shingo Sakai, Corporate Business Manager
Mike Smith and National Fleet Sales Manager
Warwick Rissler.
FRM helps keep
Tasmania on the move
FRM Toyota was the major
sponsor at the Tasmanian
Transport Association (TTA)
annual dinner for the first
time in 2012.
Held on 27 October, the TTA
dinner is a major event on the
industry calendar in Tasmania
and provides an opportunity for
everyone involved in transport
to network with their clients,
customers and friends.
“With over 250 people in
attendance it was also a great
opportunity to showcase that the
transport industry in Tasmania
is as strong as ever,” said FRM
general manager Peter Brown.
Dale Jenkins of SRT Logistics,
who has completed 17 years
of accident-free driving, was
announced as the winner of
the Driver of the Year Award.
The Most Valued Contribution to
the Industry Award was won by
Lesley Richardson for her work in
running the successful “Careers
on the Move” School Based
Apprentiships program for the
TTA in 2012.
The TTA is an organisation of
transport operators, freight
forwarders and shippers operating
in Tasmania, with close links to
similar organisations in other states.
The Association is committed
to promoting efficient, effective
transport to, from and within
Tasmania by influencing the
regulation of transport, the provision
of transport infrastructure and
the delivery of transport services.
FRM Toyota was formed in 1982
to provide specialist services to
the material handling industry.
Today FRM’s product and service
range has expanded to trucks,
skid-steer loaders and excavators,
with offices in Hobart, Launceston
and Devonport.
ProShift Perfect
for the job
Tasmania’s Central Highlands Council recently took delivery
of the state’s first Hino 500 Series FD 1124 ProShift automated
manual transmission (AMT) truck.
The features of the ProShift AMT are ideally suited to the specific
purpose required by the Council.
“We bought it for road repairs and pot-holing work, where the truck
crawls at low speeds while council workers shovel gravel from the
back of the truck,” said Central Highlands Council Manager, Works
and Services, Jason Branch.
“It’s excellent for what we do: the driver doesn’t need to keep on
and off the clutch pedal, and the ‘slow’ function means the truck
can crawl along at walking speed while the guys work from the back.
“The height of the tray is ideal for this kind of work, and the reversing
camera means the driver can keep an eye on the guys behind him.
So all up it’s a nice bit of kit,” he said.
It is the second Hino sold to the council by Luke Bennett from
FRM Hino, having previously overseen the delivery of an FC 1022
factory tipper.
“A lot of the roads maintained by the Council are unsealed, and they
appreciate the reliability and toughness of the Hino trucks in these
conditions,” Mr Bennett said.
Torque
5

cover feature
Preparation key for
Dakar 2013
After winning the Dakar under 10-litre class for the last three years in a row, the pressure was
on for father and son Hino factory team drivers Yoshimasa and Teruhito Sugawara to continue
their winning streak in the lead-up to Dakar 2013.
Most of the pre-race activity was carried
out by their team of hand-picked Hino
dealer mechanics from around Japan.
They busied themselves perfecting the
Sugawara’s two Hino 500 Series trucks,
and brought some innovations to their
vehicles in a bid to keep one step ahead
of the competition from teams such as
Autovaz, IVECO, MAN, DAF and Daimler.
The effort the team put in to preparing the
trucks was understandable considering
the extreme conditions faced by man and
machine during an event like the Dakar Rally.
For the second time, this year’s rally began
in Lima, Peru, then headed south to the
Andes mountain range en route to Argentina.
From there Dakar 2013 crossed back over
the Andes to finish in the Chilean capital of
Santiago. The 8,000 kilometre-plus route took
competitors through the driest desert in the
world and to altitudes of above 7000 metres.
Hino Australia National Marketing Manager
Paul Tuffy watched Team Sugawara’s
preparations for the 2013 Dakar Rally
with anticipation.
“Hino has the remarkable record of 22
consecutive starts and finishes at Dakar,
and the results over the years have been
nothing short of spectacular,” he says.
“Team Sugawara has so much accumulated
knowledge – there was some very stiff
competition heading to the Lima starting
line this year, so we were hoping the truck
developments would be enough to keep
them in the lead.”
For 2013 Yoshimasa drove the newly-built
Hino 500 Series production class truck,
while Teruhito’s 500 Series truck, which won
its class division in 2012, was given a rebuild
and some revisions (including changes to
the fuel system, engine cooling, suspension,
wheels, brakes and body) to make it even
more competitive.
The biggest news for the team was the move
to electronically controlled common-rail
fuel injection for Teruhito Sugawara’s truck,
making its J08 engine more representative
of those powering vehicles currently being
sold in Australia, the US and Europe.
It was an ideal opportunity to prove that the
common-rail injection-equipped J08 engines
can provide the durability and reliability of the
mechanically injected version, while exceeding
them in areas of driveability, fuel economy
and lower emissions.
The J08 engine has received multiple JD
Power Awards for its capabilities in everyday
applications, and a Dakar rally provided the
opportunity for it to be proven under the most
difficult conditions.
Other changes extend to the suspension
which gained longer-spanned leaf springs,
upgraded brakes, body strengthening to
help resist torsion stresses, and forged
alloy wheels to reduce weight.
In September last year Team Sugawara had
the opportunity to test one of its upgraded
trucks in unforgiving conditions at Rally
Mongolia 2012. While the environs of
“Hino has the remarkable record of 22 consecutive
starts and finishes at Dakar, and the results over
the years have been nothing short of spectacular”
6 issue 21 SUMMER 2013

cover feature
Mongolia can’t fully replicate the extremes
of South America, the biggest rainfalls
in decades, coupled with the heat of the
Mongolian summer, helped to make it a worthy
test for the revised Hino 500 Series truck.
The conditions were so trying that three
of the seven stages had to be cancelled.
Rally Mongolia was rewarding for the
team, as the biggest unknown in the truck
revisions, the common-rail fuel system,
proved itself convincingly.
Teruhito Sugawara was pleased with their
result of 5th overall in the four-wheel division,
as well as the improvements brought by the
fuel system. “The torque response of this
common-rail engine feels really good, and
none of our concerns about engine problems
materialised,” he said.
“Overall, the truck exceeded expectation and
I had a feeling that we would have a good shot
at achieving a high ranking in the Dakar.
“However, the Dakar Rally is known for forcing
vehicles out of the race even as a result of
minor problems, so we made the best of the
time between the Mongolian rally and Dakar
to make further improvements to the truck
based on the important data we obtained
in the race,” he said.
Dakar 2013 Facts
14 Stages
53 Nationalities
represented
75 Truck category
contestants
8,116 Total kilometres
travelled by
truck competitors
Hino’s Dakar
Dominance
22 Consecutive finishes
1st Japanese truck
maker to enter
Dakar (1991)
7 Consecutive
victories (1996 -
2002) and 13 wins
overall in 10-litre
or smaller class
1st Team to make a
1-2-3 sweep in the
Truck category (1997)
Torque
7

cover feature
Hino 500 Series specs (Truck #1)
Engine model
Cylinder configuration
Displacement
Max output
Max torque
Transmission type
J08C-TI (with turbo intercooler)
In-line six
7,961cc
450ps at 2,700rpm
138kgm at 1,600-2,300rpm
6-gear forward, direct drive
Transfer type 2-gear: Hi range: 1.000 /
Lo range: 2.224
Axle type
Suspension type
Vehicle size
Wheelbase
Tyre size
Gross vehicle weight
Full-floating axle with hub
differential lock with reduction
mechanism from AxleTech
Multi-leaf springs front and
rear with shock absorbers from
Reiger
Length: 6,150mm
Width: 2,420mm
Height: 3,100mm
3,750mm
14.00R20 Michelin XS
6,700kg
Hino Dakar highlights in
South America:
2009 Dakar Argentina-Chile:
Two starters and two finishers in 14th and 26th positions out of
54 trucks (from an original field of 81) that made it to the finish.
(Second in under 10-litre category.)
2010 Dakar Argentina-Chile:
Two starters and one finisher in 7th position out of 28 trucks
(from an original field of 54) that finished. Winner of the
Production Series truck category and under 10-litre engine
capacity class. The second Hino Team Sugawara entry was
disqualified for missing a checkpoint.
2011 Dakar Argentina-Chile:
Two starters and two finishers in 9th and 13th positions
out of 41 finishers from an original field of 66. Winner of the
Production Series truck category and under 10-litre category.
2012 Dakar Argentina-Chile-Peru:
Two starters and two finishers in 9th and 24th position out of
60 finishers from an original field of 73. Winner of the under
10-litre engine category.
2013 Dakar Peru-Argentina-Chile:
Two starters and two finishers in 19th and 31st position
overall out of 60 finishers from an original field of 74 starters.
Winner of the Dakar Challenge for trucks with an engine
capacity under 10-litres.
8 issue 21 SUMMER 2013

cover feature
2013 Dakar Results
Car 2 Car 1
Drivers:
Teruhito Sugawara
Hiroyuki Sugiura
1st under 10-litre class, 19th overall
Drivers:
Yoshimasa Sugawara
Katsumi Hamura
4th under 10-litre class, 31st overall
Hino Divisional Manager Product Strategy,
Marketing and Dealer Development, Alex
Stewart, was happy to see Team Sugawara
completing Hino’s 13th Dakar win using
vehicles that are related to those on the
road in Australia.
“It is great to see the technology utilised by
the Australian Defence Force, emergency
services and the mining sector, with the
Hino GT 4x4, at work in a competitive
environment,” Mr Stewart said.
“And even though Yoshimasa’s luck wasn’t
good this year, he still put in some terrific
driving and showed us all that the commonrail
fuel injection used on Hino trucks in
Australia really is worthy technology.
“We can’t wait for 2014. Congratulations
to Team Sugawara,” he said.
Torque
9

plate clearance
2012 Plate clearance – great
deals on top-performing trucks
Hino’s range of safe, comfortable and top performing trucks is now even better value,
with big savings available on all new 2012-plated trucks until the end of March.
From the class-leading 300 Series light
duty truck, the proven quality of the
medium duty 500 Series, to the reliability
and comfort of the heavy duty 700
Series, Hino makes trucks for nearly
all applications.
Hino Australia Divisional Manager Product
Strategy, Marketing and Dealer Development,
Alex Stewart, said Hino Australia’s 2012
Plate Clearance is the best opportunity for
customers to get a great deal on a new
Hino at last year’s prices.
“This is the best chance to enjoy the industry
and class-leading features that are built into
Hino’s 300 Series light duty trucks,” he said.
“It’s such a flexible package, there’s a total
of 45 variants of the 300 Series: it can do
so many things for so many people.”
Creature comforts such as a suspended
driver’s seat and a state-of-the-art
multimedia unit are combined with lifesaving
technologies such as Vehicle
Stability Control, dual front SRS airbags,
four-wheel ventilated disc brakes and
ABS, and Front Under-run Protection to
offer the safest light duty truck on the market.
“The 2012 Plate Clearance is also a great
chance to upgrade your medium duty
truck to enjoy the latest in automated
transmissions,” said Mr Stewart.
Hino’s ProShift 6 automated manual
transmissions, available on FC and FD
variants of the Hino 500 Series, combine
“This is the best chance to enjoy the industry
and class-leading features that are built into
Hino’s 300 Series light duty trucks”
favourable fuel economy and the durability
of a manual transmission with the ease-ofoperation
of an automatic.
“The ProShift 6 is a much more relaxing drive
in heavy traffic than a manual transmission,
and it still delivers fantastic fuel economy,”
said Mr Stewart.
And for those in need of a heavy duty truck,
the Hino 700 Series combines superior
Japanese engineering and build quality with
European levels of safety and technology.
As an added bonus, all new Hino 300 Series
and 500 Series 2012-plated trucks (excluding
GT models) include a free five-year extended
manufacturer’s powertrain warranty.
This not only provides peace of mind
after the standard warranty has expired,
it is also fully transferable to a new owner,
adding to its resale value.
Contact your nearest Hino dealer before
all 2012-plated Hinos are sold out.
The sale ends 31 March.
10 issue 21 SUMMER 2013

training
Fleet customers get
up to speed
As part of its ongoing strategy
to assist its fleet customers in
maximising the performance
of their Hino vehicles, Hino
Australia conducts regular
training programs that
continue to receive the thumbs
up from course participants.
Hino’s training staff carry out the product
familiarisation training for its fleet
customers to ensure their knowledge
needs are met and that they are getting
the most out of the Hinos in their fleet.
The training programs can be tailored to the
needs of each fleet customer and are designed
to introduce maintenance staff to the product
and specialised service techniques. They
include both theory sessions and hands-on
training on Hino diesel engines.
Hino’s newly revamped training centre at
its head office in southern Sydney recently
hosted a product familiarisation day for wastemanagement
specialist JJ Richards & Sons.
The training covered the range of Hino’s light,
medium and heavy-duty trucks.
Hino Australia Technical Training Manager
Sergio Bonvini heads the team of presenters
and instructors.
“These sessions are a great opportunity for
us to meet with our customers and get a
good feel for where their knowledge and
training needs are,” he said.
“We appreciate our customers taking the time out
to really get to know the Hino product and make
sure they’re getting the most out of their trucks.
“This includes learning how to maximise the
performance from their Hino vehicles, minimising
the operating costs and ultimately prolonging
the life of the Hinos in their fleet.”
JJ Richards & Sons’ Gold Coast workshop
manager Chris Roadnight took five staff to
the product familiarisation day in Sydney and
praised the initiative.
“Hino is new to our fleet, so the day was very
informative and all the guys gained a great
deal of knowledge from it,” he said.
“We brought one diesel mechanic down from
Emerald in Queensland – and that highlights
the value we placed on this training and
interaction with Hino staff.”
“We appreciate our
customers taking the
time out to really get to
know the Hino product”
The specialised training for JJ Richards & Sons
staff focused on the latest-model light-duty Hino
300 Series Euro 5, the new-model medium-duty
500 Series Euro 5 ProShift and the heavy-duty
700 Series Euro 5 ProShift.
The JJ Richards & Sons training was followed by
a trip to Brisbane by the Hino fleet training team to
transport infrastructure solutions provider RoadTek
to train its service staff, specifically on the new
300 Series Hybrid Euro 5 light-duty trucks.
The one-day program began with an introduction
to Hino Hybrid systems, Hybrid components,
diesel particulate filter regeneration, and
servicing and driving tips.
In the afternoon session the training participants
were presented with two RoadTek Hybrid
vehicles and put into practice the theory
learned in the morning session.
Hino Australia Technical
Training Manager
Sergio Bonvini.
Hino fleet customers who would like to learn
more about these training programs should
contact Sergio Bonvini, Hino Australia Technical
Training Manager, at sergio.bonvini@hino.com.au
or phone (02) 9914 6633.
Torque
11

skills
(L to R) Hino Australia’s Greg Bleasel, Steve Lotter and Ken Sekine officially open the new training
facility with senior Hino Motors Limited representatives from Japan.
Training the key to
customer satisfaction
Hino Australia’s recent expansion and upgrade of its national
training centre reaffirms its commitment to maintaining
customer satisfaction by developing the skills of its service
and parts staff.
More than $150,000 has been invested
in recent years by Hino Australia to
update the training centre and warehouse
at its Caringbah head office in southern
Sydney, providing more space and the
latest in training and IT equipment for
Hino technical and parts staff to give
customers world-class levels of service.
The official reopening on 25 October coincided
with the finals of the fourth Hino National Skills
Contest in the refurbished facility.
Hino Australia Divisional Manager, Product
Support and Business Development, Greg
Bleasel, says Hino Australia is committed to
ensuring the service and parts staff within
the dealer network are trained to the highest
global standards and have access to the best
resources in order to maintain the reliability
and performance of their customers’ vehicles.
“The benefits flow down to our customers in
the form of timely and efficient service and
support, carried out by highly trained and
knowledgeable staff,” Mr Bleasel says.
“When a customer has their truck or bus
in the workshop it is important to have it
back on the road as soon as possible: any
vehicle not running is losing money.
“The refurbishment and expansion of the
national training facility only confirms our
commitment to improving the customer
experience, while helping to retain those
customers in the future.”
The emphasis Hino Australia places on
service quality is driven in part by the
expectations of its customers.
“Our dealer parts and service staff are on the
front line and in many ways are the ‘face’ of the
business,” National Training Centre Manager
Sergio Bonvini says.
“The refurbished training centre has doubled in
size and can now hold more vehicles as well as
additional training equipment. This allows us to
accommodate an increased number of students
and to conduct longer training courses.”
“Our dealer parts and
service staff are on the
front line and in many
ways are the ‘face’ of
the business”
The investment in skills and training also
aims to provide staff with the opportunity
to excel at maintaining the productivity of
customers’ operations.
“We want them to feel good about working
for Hino and reward them for their efforts,”
Mr Bonvini says.
Senior Hino executives from Japan and senior
members of the Australian management team
attended the reopening along with divisional
managers, Hino dealer principals, service
managers and the 16 National Skills Contest
participants from the dealer network.
“We want our people to be the best of the best,
and we believe that providing first-rate training
and assessment is vital to the future success
of Hino in Australia,” Mr Bleasel says.
‘Best of the
best’ on show
Hino dealerships Australia-wide
were represented by the 16 finalists
at the 2012 National Skills Contest,
including Sci-Fleet Hino Brisbane, FRM
Hino (Tasmania), City Hino Guildford
(Sydney), Prestige Hino Dandenong
South (Melbourne), WA Hino Welshpool
(Perth), Ian Weigh Hino Rockhampton
and CMI Hino Regency Park (Adelaide).
The national Parts award for 2012 was taken
out by Matthew Preston of Sci-Fleet Hino in
Brisbane, while the Service award was won
by John Elliot of Prestige Hino in Melbourne.
The finals consisted of two two-hour
sessions: one comprised a series of
practical exercises carried out in the
newly refurbished National Training Centre,
while the other was conducted in the
centre’s training rooms in the form of
a series of online questionnaires.
The practical component tested the parts
contestants’ knowledge of the many engine
and other truck components, requiring
them to identify and order a range of parts.
The service finalists completed four
diagnostic tests on trucks set up on the
training centre floor. Each truck had a
different fault, and contestants had to
test, identify and fix the problem within
the allotted 20 minutes for each task.
“All the participants should be very proud
of their efforts. I’m sure they’ve all benefited
greatly from the experience,” said National
Training Centre Manager, Sergio Bonvini.
The 16 finalists at the 2012 contest were
flown from their respective regions to
attend the final in Sydney where they
competed with each other for the title
and a $3000 cash prize.
12 issue 21 SUMMER 2013

hybrid trial
Coles fuel trial confirms
impressive Hybrid savings
An independent fuel consumption test has confirmed the huge potential in fuel savings
of Hino Hybrid trucks.
As another step in the evolution of their
successful online grocery business, Coles
initiated an independent trial to gauge the
fuel savings that could be achieved with
Hino’s new generation Hybrid truck.
Coles Online and the Green Truck Partnership
conducted a fuel comparison on local delivery
runs in the Sydney metropolitan area, using a
Hino Hybrid 616 Short AMT and a Hino 616
Short Auto diesel truck.
The Green Truck Partnership is a New
South Wales government initiative designed
to provide real-world case studies for the
Australian road-freight industry on the use
of clean technologies and fuels.
The Coles study showed a 21 per cent saving
in both fuel used and carbon-dioxide emissions
in favour of the Hybrid vehicle.
Based on the trial results a fleet of 50 trucks,
each covering 650km per week, could save
nearly $160,000 a year in fuel costs and
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30
tonnes over 12 months.
Coles Online National Customer Delivery
Manager Iain McLean said the Green Truck
Partnership team fitted both wide-cab Hino
trucks with data recorders and tested them
for four weeks on like routes around
metropolitan Sydney.
“Specific information was collected on the time
spent idling, average speed and the number
of stops per kilometres travelled,” he said.
Coles goes on
the road
A Hino Hybrid truck was a starring
feature of one of the stands at the
Coles National Roadshow held in October
at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
Showcasing the successful Coles Online
business, the stand displayed a Hino
Hybrid truck as an integral part of its
green strategy.
“The stand explained Coles’ green
credentials and also showed the fuel
savings achievable with the Hino Hybrid
trucks, which was well received by the
show attendees,” said Coles Online National
Customer Delivery Manager Iain McLean.
“The data from the two trucks was validated
daily and any data where the driving cycles
of the two trucks was markedly dissimilar
was excluded from the results.”
Hino Australia National Fleet Sales Manager
Warwick Rissler said Coles Online used
the results of the independent Green Truck
Partnership study to make an informed
purchase decision on Hino Hybrid trucks
versus the Hino diesel automatic models
the company operates nationally.
The event was attended by approximately
2,000 employees including store, regional
and zone managers, with the Coles board of
directors also in attendance.
The roadshow was held to outline Coles’
online business direction and showcased
a diverse range of products and services
offered by the company.
The Coles study showed
a 21 per cent saving
in both fuel used
and carbon-dioxide
emissions in favour
of the Hybrid vehicle
“Coles Online currently has a fleet of more than
250 Hino 300 Series diesel automatic trucks,”
he said. “Therefore, the test comparison was
Hybrid against the diesel automatic model.
“Based on those results, there are huge
potential fleet savings available in fuel costs
and emissions.”
Mr Rissler said Coles Online has now
commissioned its first batch of 12 Hino
Hybrid 300 Series 616 Short AMT models.
Hino Australia Divisional Manager, Product
Strategy, Marketing and Dealer Development,
Alex Stewart, said Hino Hybrid trucks offer
impressive fuel savings with no penalty in
additional service costs.
“Hino’s new-generation 300 Series Hybrid
trucks have exactly the same regular
service intervals and service times as Hino’s
conventional diesel trucks,” he said.
Torque
13

oadside assist
Roadside Assist gives
peace of mind
Hino’s truck range is even better value in 2013, with the addition of Hino Roadside Assist on
all 300, 500 and 700 Series trucks* at no extra cost.
Roadside Assist is now included in Hino’s
‘Total Protection’ range of products and
services and is available on all 2013-
plated models.
The roadside service is designed to get drivers
back on the road as soon as possible in the
event of a breakdown, flat tyre or simply
running out of fuel.
Hino Australia President and Chief Operating
Officer, Steve Lotter, said that the inclusion of
roadside assistance is all about positioning
Hino as the best value brand of truck to own,
as well as being the best to drive.
“At Hino we’re always looking at ways to
make truck ownership more affordable for our
customers, and we believe the peace of mind
that roadside assistance provides will be warmly
received by new truck buyers,” said Mr Lotter.
“And while Hino trucks are renowned for their
reliability and durability, batteries and tyres
can go flat and keys can go missing.
“We understand that our customers have
businesses to run and they can’t afford any
downtime, which is why we’ve taken the initiative to
provide roadside assistance as a no-cost inclusion.
“It’s always best to be prepared for whatever
may happen, and Hino Roadside Assist
takes the hassle out of arranging
emergency repairs,” he said.
In addition to mechanical services,
Hino Roadside Assist provides towing
and recovery, a message relay service
to inform others of the driver’s situation and a
language interpreting service for non-English
speaking drivers.
The Hino Total Protection suite of products also
includes Maintenance Agreements, extended
warranty, a three-year unlimited kilometre parts
and accessories warranty as well as Hino
genuine oils and lubricants.
Hino Roadside Assist is available to all private and
government purchasers of new 2013-plated Hino
300, 500 and 700 Series trucks with manual,
automatic or automated manual transmissions.
The offer is also transferable to new owners
within the 36-month warranty period.
*To qualify for Hino Roadside Assist, vehicles must
be roadworthy and registered within the first six
months after purchase.
Hino Australia
President and
COO Steve Lotter.
“It’s always best to be
prepared for whatever
may happen, and
Hino Roadside Assist
takes the hassle
out of arranging
emergency repairs”
Hino’s truck range is
even better value in 2013,
with the addition of Hino
Roadside Assist on all
300, 500 and 700 Series
trucks at no extra cost.
14 issue 21 SUMMER 2013

servicing
Hino launches
maintenance agreements
Hino Australia has announced the introduction of its comprehensive Maintenance Agreement
program, newly-developed to provide truck owners with the correct level of mechanical
servicing for their specific operational needs and budget.
The new Maintenance Agreement program
began in January and provides customers
with the choice of four distinct mechanical
service regimes.
Maintenance Agreements are a part of Hino’s
wider ‘Total Protection’ suite of products
and services – linking a range of after-sales
initiatives offered by Hino Australia, including
the company’s new Roadside Assist program.
According to Hino Australia Divisional Manager,
Product Support and Business Development,
Greg Bleasel, Hino Maintenance Agreements
are another way that Hino is making truck
ownership more economical for business
owners and managers.
“Hino Australia recognises that a one-size-fitsall
approach isn’t the best way to deal with
truck maintenance, and has developed the
four-level program to satisfy all types of vehicle
usage,” Mr Bleasel said.
“Not all trucks are used in the same way or
under the same conditions. A truck covering
large distances in the outback in extreme heat
and dust will likely need a different maintenance
schedule than a short-haul metro delivery truck.
“Hino Maintenance Agreements cater for these
different customers by providing a level of
service that suits their needs and budget.”
Level 1 provides standard scheduled servicing
(as per the manufacturer’s recommendation),
with all work performed by Hino factory-trained
technicians using Hino genuine parts.
The second level of maintenance adds the
replacement of consumables (such as belts,
hoses, globes and wiper blades) to those
items included with the log book service.
Level 3 servicing additionally offers the
replacement of brake and clutch parts, as
well as selected fuel system, suspension
and driveline parts.
“Hino Australia
recognises that a onesize-fits-all
approach
isn’t the best way to deal
with truck maintenance”
Level 4 provides the most extensive servicing
and covers all items available in levels 1 to
3, adding comprehensive repair of major
mechanical components, including the engine
and transmission.
A fixed monthly cost is charged for all four levels
of service, meaning that owners can avoid
unexpected repair costs and maintain tight
control of their maintenance budgets.
Torque
15

Hino ProShift AMT
Shifting to AMT
Matt Wood tests the AMT-equipped 500 FC and FD variants on a two-day run south of Sydney.
A Japanese truck once tried to kill me,
maybe not directly but to be clearer, I
nearly died in it. I was driving this rather
innocent looking five-tonner after a
busy day running around Melbourne
and I rummaged around in my esky
for an apple.
I grabbed the piece of fruit as I barrelled
through the traffic heading down Melbourne’s
Punt Road and went to take a bite; it was
then I found myself in a dilemma — I needed
to change gears. So I sunk my teeth into the
apple leaving it in my mouth while I reached
for the gear lever. As I bounced across a
bridge over the Yarra River, the large chunk
of apple I’d bitten into came adrift and shot
down my throat.
With the apple now blocking off my airway,
I found myself trying to steer, breathe through
my ears, and not die. By now I was looking
like one of those egg-eating snakes you see
on the Discovery Channel.
Still mobile as my vision started to waver, I
kind of gave myself the Heimlich manoeuvre
with the steering wheel and I managed to
dislodge the offending chunk of fruit.
So that is how I came to the conclusion that
fruit and small white Japanese trucks with
manual gearboxes are bad for your health.
Luckily for me, Hino has just introduced its new
ProShift 6 automated manual transmission
(AMT) in selected 500 series FC and FD
models. I recently had a chance to drive the new
automated cog swapper to see how the latest
two-pedal AMT to come out of Japan performed,
both on the open road and around town.
I hadn’t had a chance to slide behind the wheel
of a Hino for a very long time, so the launch
of the new ProShift 6 gearbox proved to be a
great opportunity to catch up with the slightly
boxy-looking 500 and get a little familiar.
Inside the simple, practical interior, the
instrumentation was very easy to read at
a glance and everything was within close
reach for the driver.
Stubby shift
At the outset it seemed the stubby little
transmission shift was quite intuitive in both
placement and design. More to the point,
it was pretty much the same sort of layout
you’d find in any relatively recent passenger
car – ‘D’ for drive, ‘N’ for neutral, across and
through a gate to the left for reverse, and a
gate to the right for the manual sequential
shift mode.
Just to keep me happy, Hino has installed
some buttons to push. The first is a power
mode button which tells the transmission
to hold off on gear changes a bit longer,
giving the engine another 500-600rpm to play
with before attempting another gear change.
When you engage the ‘slow’ button, engine
revs are limited to 550rpm with the clutch fully
disengaged. This takes care of the ‘on or off’
uncertainty that can sometimes affect AMT
boxes at low speed due to uncertain clutch
engagement, especially when backing onto
docks or into loading bays.
With the slow button engaged, the truck
should just idle along forwards or in reverse
without any gritted teeth and bunny hopping
on the driver’s part.
The gearbox itself is the same six-speed LX
transmission that Hino has been using across
the range in manual guise. However, like
any other AMT on the market, the cogs are
swapped by a servo shift that is told what to
do by an electrical control unit (ECU) which
in turn is told what to do by the engine ECU.
But where the ProShift differs is the use of
a standard dry plate clutch as used in the
manual version, rather than a viscous fluid
coupling that other AMTs on the market use.
This is hydraulically actuated and is controlled
by the gearbox ECU.
Hino claims a gain in driveline performance and
efficiency as a direct result of using a direct
mechanical method of driveline engagement.
Hino also claims a possible 10–15 per cent
advantage in fuel economy over rival AMTs
and torque converter transmissions.
Of course this all remains purely academic, until
you get behind the wheel and see how Hino’s
medium-duty five cylinder slugger performs
out in the hustle and bustle of everyday traffic.
16 issue 21 SUMMER 2013

Hino ProShift AMT
So as the little AMT convoy headed south out
of Sydney, I settled into the nicely suspended
ISRI seat for the drive.
The fact of the matter is that most of us will
just jump into a truck of this size and plant
the foot, regardless of what gearbox happens
to be bolted to the engine. And that’s pretty
much exactly what I did.
It may be an AMT but it actually behaved more
like a torque converter auto. I mean that in a
good way – clutch engagement from standstill
was smooth enough and, if you kept your right
foot nailed to the floor, the transmission just
climbed through the gears without a great
deal of engine noise or bother. It just … went.
The trucks were also equipped with Hino’s
‘Easy Start’ hill hold function which was the
icing on the cake for the AMT in stop-start
traffic. The long flat torque curve of the JO7
engine, which develops close to peak torque
from 1,200rpm all the way to 2,200rpm
but peaking at 1,500rpm, suited this rather
proactive approach to driving as the little
five cylinder did a mighty job of feeding
power to the transmission.
Huffing, no puffing
My first truck for the day was the 220hp
(164kW) FC and it was in this trusty steed I
rolled down Mt Ousley towards Wollongong,
New South Wales. I knocked the gear selector
across into manual, held onto fourth gear
and let the little FC chug down the hill with the
exhaust brake huffing, which it handled easily.
The next truck I jumped into was the 240hp
(179kW) FD on leaf springs, and with a couple
more ponies underfoot, the package had a
whole lot more boogie going on.
Light- and medium-duty trucks tend to cop
more than their fair share of use and abuse,
and they get no thanks for it. So once out on
the Princes Highway heading for the NSW
south coast, I have to admit to (legally) driving
the FD like I stole it.
“By using a gear stick
as a selector, Hino has
made manual shifts
seem more intuitive”
The AMT, however, almost seems to make
the truck unthrashable. With all that torque
available so low in the rev range, wringing its
neck seems pointless.
The transmission, like most AMTs, would try
and select the highest possible gear at all
times, but on the undulating, winding coastal
road, keeping the box in manual made it easy
to keep the FD’s momentum up.
By using a gear stick as a selector, Hino has
made manual shifts seem more intuitive rather
than using a dial or T-bar, and it seemed to
provide the best results rather than simply
pushing the power button to hold a gear or
lengthen the time between gear changes.
Mountain climber
The following day I found myself at the wheel of
the 240hp FD on airbags, and this was the pick
of the AMT bunch, with the best road manners.
The 6.4-litre engine provided a surprising
amount of punch as we scaled Brown Mountain
heading inland towards Canberra. As with the
previous day, I found the drivetrain as a whole
performed best when driven in manual mode
on the tight winding mountain road.
With the tacho needle kept at around 2,000rpm,
the FD was content to haul itself up the mountain
in either third or fourth gear. This of course is
not really the kind of environment where this
kind of truck is most likely to be found and I’d
imagine that in most urban settings the AMT
selector would stay in ‘D’ for drive.
Overall the ProShift 6 behind the punchy JO7E
engine proved to be a great performing AMT
that will be equally at home inching through
the daily grind or belting down a freeway.
I even think it might be safe to consume fruit
while behind the wheel.
This is an edited version of a story by Matt Wood
originally published in the October 2012 edition
of Owner/Driver magazine.
Torque
17

parts & photo competition
Clutch promotion keeps
Hinos shifting smoothly
Hino Australia is running a Hino Genuine replacement
clutch kit promotion that emphasises the value for money
of all Hino Genuine parts.
An average discount of 15 per cent is
available on clutch kits and 22 per cent
on flywheels for models from 2000-build
onwards, including the 300, 500 and 700
Series, Ranger and Ranger Pro, Dutro
and assorted Hino buses.
Five critical performance factors differentiate
a Hino Genuine clutch from non-genuine items:
smooth engagement, perfect disengagement,
easy shifting, shock and noise absorption,
and durability.
In comparison, non-genuine clutches and
flywheels can be a lottery.
A ‘good’ non-genuine clutch may just lack the
built-in shock absorption of a Hino Genuine
clutch, transferring shudder back to the cabin
while accelerating wear on other drivetrain
components. Or it may just wear out quickly,
creating additional down-time and more
frequent overhaul expenses. A bad example
will be even worse.
“We’ve seen non-genuine clutch facings
completely disintegrate after a bit of heat
build-up. This usually destroys the flywheel,
and often the bellhousing too,” said Hino
Australia Assistant Manager Parts and
Accessories, Kirk Harrison.
“It makes for a very expensive repair – it’s
definitely the more costly option in the long-run.”
Hino Genuine clutch components are
specifically designed to function in harmony
with each other for optimum performance.
They are manufactured using Hino’s
stringent processes, including furnace
tempering and extensive heat treating,
to produce the strongest parts possible.
Hino Genuine clutches provide excellent
heat and wear resistance, good fade
recovery, low vibration and noise, and strong
rigidity in continuous high-speed rotation.
Hino Genuine clutch kits and flywheels are
available now and ready to order through
Hino’s national dealer network.
The Hino Genuine clutch kit promotion runs
until 31 March 2013.
ENTER YOUR HINO PHOTOS TO WIN!
This edition’s winning entry comes from Kennedy Drilling in WA. This trusty Hino “Birds of
Prey” series GT has ferried specialist drilling equipment to some of the most remote locations
in the country – proof of the long-term durability and reliability that Hino owners enjoy!
For your chance to win a Hino prize pack send
your photos (hi-res JPEG via email, or prints
via post), along with your contact details and
brief description to:
• torque@hino.com.au, or
• Hino Australia –
Torque photo
competition
6-10 Parraweena Road,
Caringbah NSW 2229
18 issue 21 SUMMER 2013

SEE YOUR LOCAL
HINO DEALER TODAY
NEW SOUTH WALES
Albion Park Rail Illawarra Hino ................................(02) 4256 7111
Beresfield Newcastle Hino ...................................... (02) 4974 7800
Guildford City Hino ....................................................(02) 9681 8111
Inverell Tait Motors ...................................................(02) 6722 5090
Kempsey South Mavin Truck Centre Pty Ltd ........ (02) 6562 6211
Lismore Vanderfield Hino .........................................(02) 6626 2828
Mascot Adtrans Hino ................................................(02) 9598 9444
Moree Tait Motors ..................................................... (02) 6750 7400
Muswellbrook Widelands Hino ...............................(02) 6543 3066
Orange West Orange Motors ...................................(02) 6361 1000
Queanbeyan Southern Truck Centre .......................(02) 6299 6433
Smeaton Grange Adtrans Hino (Narellan) .............(02) 4655 5755
Tamworth Widelands Hino .......................................(02) 6765 5552
Wagga Wagga Wagga Trucks Hino .........................(02) 6971 8000
Wyoming Adtrans Hino (Gosford) ............................(02) 4323 3879
VICTORIA
Dandenong Prestige Hino ........................................(03) 9212 5555
Golden Square Bendigo Truck Centre ................... (03) 5440 9111
Laverton North CMI Hino (Melbourne) ...................(03) 9931 6500
North Geelong ISR Truck City .................................(03) 5278 9844
Warrnambool Barry Maney Group ..........................(03) 5560 5477
Wodonga Jacob Hino ...............................................(03) 6055 9800
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Alice Springs Peter Kittle Motors ............................(08) 8952 5500
Pinelands Vanderfield Hino (Darwin) .......................(08) 8932 4200
QUEENSLAND
Ayr Don West Hino ................................................... (07) 4783 1600
Cairns Pacific Hino....................................................(07) 4052 4708
Coopers Plains Sci-Fleet Hino ................................(07) 3722 2888
Forest Glen Hi-Way 1 Truck & Tractor.....................(07) 5453 5000
Garbutt Primemovers (NQ) Pty Ltd (Townsville) ...... (07) 4727 5200
Goondiwindi Tait Motors .........................................(07) 4671 7300
Gympie Hi-Way 1 Truck & Tractor ............................(07) 5480 5000
Kedron Sci-Fleet Hino ..............................................(07) 3361 0024
Mackay Carlisle Hino ................................................(07) 4952 1088
Maryborough Hi-Way 1 Truck & Tractor ..................(07) 4190 4190
Mount Isa Bell & Moir Hino ..................................... (07) 4743 3066
Nerang Sci-Fleet Hino ..............................................(07) 5581 4222
Rockhampton Ian Weigh Motors ............................(07) 4924 5200
Toowoomba Vanderfield Hino ..................................(07) 4633 4822
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Bunbury Bunbury Truck Sales & Service ...............(08) 9725 6880
Welshpool WA Hino Sales & Service .......................(08) 9351 2000
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Mt Gambier Barry Maney Group .............................(08) 8721 3400
Port Augusta Northpoint Hino ................................(08) 8642 3433
Regency Park CMI Hino (Adelaide)......................... (08) 8243 8100
TASMANIA
Derwent Park FRM Hino (Hobart)...........................(03) 6272 3822
Devonport FRM Hino ...............................................(03) 6424 9855
Invermay FRM Hino (Launceston)............................(03) 6334 5877
hino.com.au
HMS00235

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