ISSUE No.12 WINTER 2010

ON ShOW Hino takes a stand at the International Truck and Trailer Show

ChaIRmaN'S addRESS Hino Australia's chairman and CEO delivers his vision for Hino's future

HInO LAunCHES HybrId AuTOmATIC

IN THE LONG RUN.VALUE

A TOYOTA GROUP COMPANY

BETTERPARTS & SERVICE AREGENUINE HINOREASON WHYANOTHER

Your Hino truck is a key part of your business. Our

business is to help you make as much money with it

as possible. So in order to help you do so, we offer an

industry leading warranty. Buy any Genuine Hino Part

or Accessory fitted by an authorised Hino dealer and

we’ll give you a three year warranty with unlimited

kilometres during this period. And since it applies both

to the parts and labour it makes brilliant business

sense no matter what

model Hino you drive.hino.com.au

The 3 year / unlimited kilometre warranty applies to defects in workmanship and materials only, and does not cover fair wear or tear of the part / accessory. The 1 year / 100,000 kilometre warranty applies to defects in materials only, and does not cover defects in workmanship or fair wear or tear of the part / accessory. If the genuine Hino part or accessory is modified in any way, any Hino warranty that may have been applicable to that genuine Hino part or accessory, including but not limited to the 3 year / unlimited kilometre warranty and the 1 year / 100,000 kilometre warranty is voided. HMS07232

Torque | 3Torque | 3

Hino has recently unveiled a new blue hybrid logo and colour scheme for its range of hybrid vehicles.

The new blue-accented look is part of Hino Motors Limited’s new global corporate identity program that has been introduced to ensure all subsidiaries in all countries present a unified Hino Hybrid look.

The new colour scheme coincides with the company’s increasing promotion of its range of hybrid trucks which is soon set to grow with the introduction of an automatic model.

First launched in Australia in 2007, Hino’s Hybrids have become increasingly popular with large and small businesses, as evidenced by the growing number of customers switching to hybrid power.

Not only do the Hino Hybrid 300 Series trucks reduce our customers’ fuel bills: they also reduce transport costs.

As fuel bills come down, the cost-per-kilometre of transporting each item is reduced. This provides Hino Hybrid owners with an important competitive advantage in the current economic climate when cost saving is central to the success of every business.

Aside from cost savings, a key benefit of Hino’s hybrid range is the significant reduction in emissions the trucks deliver compared to a standard diesel truck.

All our customers are keen to reduce their carbon footprint, and Hino Hybrids are an easy way of helping them reduce their impact on the environment.

Our upcoming fully-automatic hybrid will make our hybrid range more accessible.

Set for a mid-year launch, the truck will incorporate the convenience of a six-speed automatic transmission, which

has been adapted to suit the Hybrid’s superior low RPM torque output and fuel-saving characteristics.

Keep an eye out for more details on the new addition to Hino’s line-up in this edition of Torque.

Hino also used the recent International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show in Melbourne to further educate current customers and potential customers on the benefit of hybrid transport.

Hino sees industry interaction as a vital part of its business.

We are keen to get behind initiatives and events that support our industry.

Recently, Hino sent a delegation to the Australian Trucking Convention on the Gold Coast. Run by the Australian Trucking Association, a peak industry body, the convention provided Hino with a forum to meet representatives from other companies in our industry.

It featured presentations by prominent figures from within the industry, including the likes of Lindsay Fox.

Hino stepped up its commitment this year and was the major sponsor of the event’s traditional golf day – an important opportunity to discuss the issues facing our industry in a relaxed atmosphere.

Supporting our industry is important. We constantly strive to assist both customers and industry with our unwavering support.

Steve LotterPresidentHino Motor Sales Australia

4 | Torque

Illawarra business leaders now have a keen interest in adopting hybrid technology following a recent informal networking evening. The event was run by Illawarra Hino and Toyota in conjunction with the region’s business chamber.

Illawarra Hino and Toyota displayed a Hino Hybrid 300 Series truck and the Australian-built Toyota Hybrid Camry, using both vehicles to educate the large gathering on the benefits of hybrid technology.

“Representatives from around 150 local businesses were on hand. Many of these were unaware of hybrid technology in the truck industry, so it was a beneficial night for all in attendance,” said Illawarra Toyota fleet manager Andy Allen.

“Illawarra has a high number of industrial-based businesses that are increasingly conscious of carbon emissions,” he said.

“These types of events work really well in our area as we have a tight-knit

ILLaWaRRa hYPEd aBOUT hYBRId

Leading Tasmanian Toyota dealer Gowans Toyota has chosen a Hino with a specially designed tray and trailer to transport vehicles between its three dealerships in the north of the Apple Isle.

Dealer principal Adam Gowans selected a Hino 500 Series FD1024 Air, with help from local dealer FRM Hino Devonport and its regional sales manager Andrew Spencer.

FRM worked with Gowans Toyota

and Melbourne trailer builder Austruck Bodies to come up with a trailer that allows the truck to carry up to three cars at once.

The trailer is fitted with a special automated ramp so vehicles can drive directly on or off the trailer and onto the truck’s tray.

“We have recently opened an off-site pre-delivery centre which has created more storage capacity at our dealerships, including the opportunity

for more retail work,” Mr Gowans said. “Our new Hino has become a

vital component in making our new set-up work efficiently. It has reduced our freight costs and provided much greater flexibility of stock movement for new and used vehicles.

“We have a great reciprocal relationship with FRM dealer principal Peter Brown and his team, particularly truck specialist Andrew Spencer, so it was great to keep our purchase in the

Toyota family,” Mr Gowans said.Gowans Toyota began operating the

truck late in 2009 and used it as part of the company’s Christmas float during the Devonport City Christmas Parade.

Adam Gowans is also arguably the fastest dealer principal in Australian motorsport – he’s the defending Aussie Racing Car Super Series Champion.

Gowans won last year’s championship in a Toyota Aurion and is in the title hunt again in season 2010.

aUSSIE ChamP ChOOSES hINO

Gowans Toyota dealer principal Adam Gowans is the current

Aussie Racing Car Champion

Gowans Toyota's new Hino 500 Series

Illawarra Hino used a local gathering of business leaders at the city’s aircraft museum

to showcase Hino’s hybrid technology

business community where everyone tries to support each other. We were able to educate a lot of people and generate some sales leads in the process.”

The ‘Business After Hours’ event was held in the town’s Historical

Aircraft Restoration Society museum and showcased new and old technology.

The Hino and Toyota models provided the new, while the museum’s historic DC-3 and Super Constellation aircraft represented the old.

Nearly 700 local businesses are members of the Illawarra Business Chamber. The chamber regularly hosts Business After Hours events, providing local companies with an avenue to network and present new products.

Torque | 5

Hino Australia has continued its support for the local transport industry with participation in three major industry events.

Hino’s first appearance was at the Australian Trucking Convention (ATC) in April where it was a major sponsor of the event and naming-rights sponsor of the convention’s golf day.

The ATC was held on the Gold Coast in Queensland and was attended by representatives from major truck suppliers, transport companies and transport industry leaders.

Delegates took part in a range of seminars including a session run by trucking magnate Lindsay Fox who delivered his views on the truck industry.

Hino’s golf day proved popular with all who played the challenging Robina Woods layout, with the Australian Trucking Association (ATA) thanking the company for its increasing involvement in industry events.

Hino Australia’s national government sales manager Tom Ayrton attended the convention.

Mr Ayrton assisted with the golf day and was a panellist at a technology-themed seminar where he spoke about the benefits of Hino’s hybrid truck.

“The golf day has been an integral part of the ATC for the past 10 years and Hino were very pleased to step up and become this premier event's major sponsor,” Mr Ayrton said.

“The weather was great for golf, the Robina Woods course was in

perfect condition and more than 70 players enjoyed a wonderful day.”

With everyone looking very smart in their red Hino shirts, Mr Ayrton thanked the other sponsors for their continuing support of the golf day, along with the ATA.

Hino followed the ATC with attendance at Queensland’s largest agricultural show, the North Queensland Field Days in Townsville.

Local dealer Primemovers(NQ) was joined in flying the Hino flag by regional dealers Carlisle Hino of Mackay and Cairns’ Pacific Hino.

Primemovers(NQ) dealer principal Greg O’Brien said a wide range of Hino models were on display and that the

stand generated strong interest.“We were affected by a prolonged

wet season this year and there’s still some reserve in the overall market but it was encouraging to see some genuine interest at the Field Days,” said Mr O’Brien. “We certainly developed some

good leads and expect to realise some as sales. We sold a 500 Series 1018 Short Dump right off the stand.”

In Western Sydney, dealers Adtrans Hino and City Hino shared a stand at Civenex 2010.

City Hino new truck sales

Hino Motor Sales Australia has been globally recognised by its parent company, receiving awards for improvements made to its parts and servicing network.

The company was recognised alongside a select group of other Hino subsidiaries when it won the 2009 Hino Parts Department of the Year award. This was the second

year in a row Hino Australia picked up the award.

Hino Australia was also one of five worldwide subsidiaries to record a substantial increase in the volume of workshop activity during 2009 compared to 2008.

Hino Australia’s divisional manager product support and business development, Greg Bleasel, said the two awards

reflected the growing number of customers that recognise the long-term value of using Hino genuine parts and having their vehicles serviced by Hino dealerships.

The service promotion award will be commemorated with a trophy presentation at an upcoming Oceania regional meeting in Melbourne during November.

hINO BaCkS LOCaL INdUSTRY

hINO WINS PaRTS & SERVICE aWaRdS

Hino created a sea of red at the Australian Trucking

Convention's golf day

Hino received strong customer feedback from

its display at Civinex

manager Sam Cash said Hino made an impact at the massive public works and construction industry expo, which sprawls over 50,000m2 at Eastern Creek.

“It was a successful day,” he said. “We had a lot of contact with purchasers from local government, which was valuable. It gave us the chance to say g’day to old customers and meet some new faces.

“There was plenty of interest in our future automatic hybrid. The reduced running costs associated with hybrid’s better fuel economy really captured attention.

“We also had an FM2632 tipper and a 2630 Long Auto waste truck worth half a million dollars between them. Customers don’t usually get to see trucks like that, so it was pretty cool.”

CHAIRMANsets sights

6 | Torque

HIgH

Hino Australia chairman and CEO Ken Sekine believes that Hino will become the leading supplier of road transport solutions in Australia.

Mr Sekine sees four key areas where Hino must excel in order to realise this vision.

He says Hino must: 1 - Concentrate on being a good

corporate citizen2 - Be the brand of choice for customers3 - Be the franchise of choice for dealers4 - Be the employer of choice for

employees.The company’s new chairman and

CEO has extensively analysed the local market since taking up his position last August and knows what Hino has to do to achieve its potential.

“Hino Australia must continue

to supply customers with the most advanced and appropriate trucks for customers’ diverse applications,” Mr Sekine says.

He says Hino’s global reputation for quality, durability and reliability in the products it manufacturers – along with the world-leading performance of its trucks and the desire to offer outstanding value-for-money across all models – will be key factors in the company’s success in Australia.

Mr Sekine sees this combination of performance and value as vital in achieving Hino’s vision.

Hino’s chairman also stresses the need for the company to continue to establish a strong nationwide dealer network which consistently delivers outstanding service to its customers.

“We must, together with our

dealers, strive to exceed our customers’ expectations at all times,” Mr Sekine said.

“Customer satisfaction is of paramount importance to us. Every Hino affiliate around the world is expected to make customer satisfaction a key objective. This objective never goes away. It is something we strive for every year. A customer-first mentality must be top of mind at all times.”

Mr Sekine also believes strongly in the concept of Team Hino – the three-way union between Hino Australia, its dealership network, and Hino Motors Limited of Japan – which forges a synergy between the distributor, dealers and the manufacturer.

“This three-way partnership requires all of us to work together with a common purpose – that of consistently exceeding the expectations

of our customers,” Mr Sekine said. “The Team Hino concept provides

our company with one important way of staying ahead of our competitors.”

Mr Sekine believes that, in keeping with global trends, there will be an increased emphasis on hybrid technology in Australia.

“As a global corporation, Hino is increasingly focused on reducing its environmental impact and improving the fuel economy of the trucks and buses it manufactures. Hino’s hybrid technology gives our customers the opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint.”

He believes that Hino’s world-leading hybrid technology will provide another platform to help the company realise its vision of becoming Australia’s leading provider of road transport solutions.

now nearly a year in the job, Hino motor Sales Australia’s

chairman and chief executive officer Ken Sekine has a

clear vision for Hino’s operations in Australia.

HIgH

From left: Hino’s Kenichi Sekine; Hino Japan's Yoshinori

Noguchi; Vanderfield Hino’s Aaron Heath, Jason Jones, Bruce

Vandersee and Gary Beutel; and Hino’s Steve Lotter

Torque | 7

the teams’ prize along with playing partners Warrick Rissler from Hino Australia (who finished third in the individual competition) and Reinhard Mauch from Southern Truck Centre in Queanbeyan.

Runners-up in the team event were Hino Australia’s Kevin Fielding and Peter

Michetti, and Southern Truck Centre’s Phil Hunt.

The Hino Golf Day was held at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club at Luddenham, where the players were shown how it is really done by the glamourous former touring professional, Carlie Butler.

CMI Hino Melbourne and Vanderfield Hino Toowoomba have taken out the top awards at this year’s annual National Dealer of the Year Awards, held in Sydney on 19 April.

CMI Hino’s dealership in the Melbourne suburb of Laverton North was named the 2009 Hino Metropolitan Dealer of the Year, while Vanderfield Hino's Toowoomba branch in south-east Queensland took out the award as Hino Rural Dealer of the Year.

It is the fifth time the Toowoomba outlet has taken out the rural award since 2002, but Vanderfield Hino managing director Bruce Vandersee says he had not expected it this time.

“I was a bit surprised to get it this year, to be honest, but it's really nice to win,” he says. “The guys in our team and their attitude to customers make all the difference, I think, and we also get great support from Hino’s field guys.”

Mr Vandersee paid specific tribute to the Toowoomba management team of branch manager Jason Jones, sales manager Gary Beutel, service manager Terry Fowler and parts manager Jeff Hansen, and Darwin manager Aaron Heath who looks after all the Vanderfield Hino operations there.

“Those guys all work really well together and, when you get people with good attitudes, you don’t need to look over their shoulders because you know they’re always doing their best for the customers.”

CMI Hino dealer principal Paul Crawford says it was a great honour to be awarded the Metropolitan Dealer of the Year Award and credited the win to the CMI Hino Laverton North staff.

“It is a testament to the leadership of branch manager Mark Dempsey and his sales manager, Greg Williams, but the award is much more than that – it is also recognition of the many individuals within the dealership, especially in Fixed Operations,” says Mr Crawford.

“Knowing that the Dealer of the Year award was won against the best Hino dealerships in the country makes it all the more gratifying.”

The success of the two organisations was not limited to the awards night, however, because the following day Greg Williams also won the Hino Golf Day, with Bruce Vandersee finishing second.

Greg Williams not only accepted the 2010 Chairman’s Cup from Hino Motor Sales Australia chairman and CEO Kenichi Sekine, but also collected

Winning team presentation – (from left) Greg Williams, Carlie Butler, Reinhard Mauch, Warrick Rissler

From left: Hino’s Kenichi Sekine; Hino Japan's Yoshinori Noguchi; CMI Hino's Paul Crawford, Mark

Dempsey and Greg Williams; and Hino's Steve Lotter

Hino Golf Day's winning individual presentation – Greg Williams

Top Dealersaw rDeD

demand for Hino’s hybrid technology has grown exponentially since

the company released its first hybrid truck to the world in 2003.

Torque examines the technology close-up and discovers how Hino

has been developing hybrid systems since the 1970s.

automaticautomaticChoiceChoice

8 | Torque

Hino’s engineers are renowned for their innovation and forward thinking. As far back as 1973 they believed a more efficient power train could be developed. It is this belief that led Hino down a new path, one that started with eight electric buses and has turned into a hybrid revolution.

Those eight buses became the forerunner for Hino’s present-day range of hybrid vehicles and set the stage for a new frontier in automotive technology – one that has already resulted in more than 2.5 million hybrid vehicle sales worldwide for the Toyota Group.

Today, Hino’s hybrid technology is industry-leading – and the company is about to again showcase its thirst for innovation with the imminent Australian release of Hino’s first fully-automatic hybrid truck.

Based on the current Hino Hybrid 714, the truck’s six-speed automatic transmission has been adapted to suit the Hybrid’s superior low RPM torque output and fuel-saving characteristics of the Hino Hybrid driveline.

Not only will the Hybrid 714 Automatic make Hino’s hybrid trucks more accessible, it incorporates all the lessons learned from nearly two decades of intense testing, research

and development of hybrid technology. At the start of the 1990s Hino

started developing a ‘series hybrid’ system – by which motors were driven by electricity generated by the engine – before engineers decided to concentrate on a ‘parallel hybrid system’.

The parallel system stores kinetic energy wasted during deceleration as electricity, which is then used to charge the vehicle’s batteries. This

electricity is then reused during start-up and acceleration.

Hino’s ground-breaking hybrid bus employed the parallel system. The company needed independent

feedback on the new technology, so it delivered test buses after the 1991 launch to eight Japanese cities including Tokyo.

The field trials of the hybrid buses proved the ability of the technology to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. However, Hino engineers were yet to master how to make a hybrid system work to its full potential on the hilly roads outside Japan’s flat,

urban environments.In 1999, Hino teamed with the

Matsumoto Electric Railway, building on an existing working relationship to develop Hino’s hybrid technology in the

hilly Kamikochi region in Japan’s Alps.With assistance from Matsumoto

engineers, Hino’s Hybrid development team uncovered a solution that accelerated the company’s use of the technology – and would soon spawn the first prototype hybrid trucks.

Through its testing on steep inclines, Hino was able to resolve how to store and release electricity, and how to reduce load on the battery.

This tuning eventually allowed its hybrid system to successfully tackle inclines as steep as 18 degrees – a lesson that would prove invaluable in applying the system to the truck industry.

By 1997, the same year Toyota launched its first-generation Prius, Hino had begun testing a medium-duty hybrid truck, which by 2003 had evolved into the Dutro Hybrid – a market-ready hybrid truck sold exclusively on the Japanese domestic market.

The world-first model included a range of improvements based on customer feedback and the years of research and development undertaken by Hino Hybrid experts.

The Dutro joined Hino’s Blue Ribbon HIMR hybrid bus, launched two years earlier in 2001, and both were followed in the ensuing five-year period by two more hybrid buses.

“...thE trUck’S SIx-SpEEd aUtomatIc traNSmISSIoN

haS bEEN adaptEd to SUIt thE hybrId’S

SUpErIor low rpm torqUE oUtpUt aNd fUEl-SavINg

charactErIStIcS.”

Hino’s first commercially available hybrid predated the original Toyota Prius

(L-R): Hino Australia president Steve Lotter and chairman and CEO Kenichi

Sekine both see hybrids as a key part of Hino’s

international future

The hybrid system on Hino’s Hybrid 300 Series 714

A Japanese model Hybrid 500 Series on display at the International, Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show

As with its other first generation of hybrid vehicles, Hino limited the distribution of its first hybrid truck to Japan so that it could keep a close eye on how the vehicle was performing for its growing customer base.

Following the vehicle’s successful debut in that country, Hino decided to expand the availability of its new hybrid truck – and in 2007 Australia became the first export market for the Hybrid Dutro.

Australia was selected not only because of its proximity to Japan but because it provided Hino engineers with a unique environment in which to further test and develop its hybrid systems.

This country’s range of urban and rural areas, coupled with flat and hilly terrain and extreme weather variants, meant Hino’s hybrid technology would experience some of the toughest driving conditions possible.

The Dutro was replaced a year later in 2008 by the Hybrid 300 Series 714 – the model currently available to Hino’s rapidly-expanding

10 | Torque

SMOOTH ACCELErATION: Accelerate smoothly, using

enough force to illuminate the green ‘Eco’ light on the truck’s instrument panel. This is achieved by shifting gears between 1500 and 1600rpm, improving fuel economy and reducing emissions.

TrY NOT TO DOubLE-CLuTCH: Double-clutching leads

to unnecessary use of fuel and electricity.

KEEp ACCELErATOr prESSurE CONSTANT wHEN

CruISING: Avoid accelerator peaks and troughs when driving

at a constant speed, as this uses additional fuel and electricity.

DO NOT DrIVE wITH YOur fOOT ON THE CLuTCH pEDAL:

This prevents the hybrid system from creating regenerative energy and increases clutch wear.

uSE ENGINE brAKING TO IMprOVE EffICIENCY:

Lift your foot off the accelerator when beginning to brake. This not only improves fuel efficiency but also creates regenerative energy. It also charges the hybrid battery efficiently.

TurN Off THE ExHAuST brAKE: Unnecessary use

of the exhaust brake causes higher fuel usage.

ACTIVELY uSE ENGINE brAKING:

Regular use of the engine brake ensures the hybrid battery will be topped up regularly – the more the motor is charged, the greater the truck’s fuel-efficiency.

uSE THE IDLE-STOp fuNCTION: This allows the

truck’s engine to turn off when stopped, providing greater fuel efficiency. Ensure the idle-stop main

button is depressed, place the vehicle in neutral and remove your foot from the clutch pedal to engage the idle-stop system.

driving a Hino Hybrid is much like driving any other truck. Hybrids have accelerator and brake pedals, need a key to start and have a cabin layout familiar to regular truck drivers. While they are no different to drive, Hino offers these tips to get the maximum benefit from its hybrid system.

Companies flock to Hino HybridsSome major companies have made the switch to Hino’s hybrid power as the desire to reduce carbon emissions reaches critical mass within the business community.

Early adopter TNT Express has been joined in recent months by companies including Linfox, Nestlé, Salvos Stores and The Pedemont Group, the latter using its first Hybrid to service the company’s Qantas contract.

Linfox has recently purchased a Hybrid 300 Series. Founder Lindsay Fox believes strongly in hybrid technology, which he sees as a major breakthrough for the heavy vehicle industry.

Mr Fox says his company has “long embraced the use of new and emerging technologies” and believes adopting hybrid trucks will further help his company cut its greenhouse gas emissions.

Like Linfox, leading furniture removal specialist The Pedemont Group has recently purchased its first hybrid truck. Pedemont’s new Hybrid 300 Series will be used exclusively to service its contract with Qantas for the airline’s office relocation services.

As a long-standing supplier to Qantas, Pedemont believes it has a responsibility to help Australia’s national carrier reduce carbon emissions wherever possible.

“I am impressed with the Hino product – we have a number of Hino trucks in our fleet,” said Pedemont managing director Tony Pedemont.

“Our company has a ground-breaking profile in terms of the way we do things, and Qantas really appreciates what we have done by purchasing a Hybrid. It reflects well on the environmental credentials of both companies.”

The drivers operating Pedemont’s Hybrid 300 Series will undergo a hybrid driving course with local dealer Adtrans Hino to ensure the company maximises the benefits of its new truck.

Torque | 11

customer base (see breakout story).Blue chip companies, smaller

family businesses and government bodies including local councils now understand the need to find more environmentally sustainable transport solutions and are turning to hybrids to reduce their carbon footprint.

Compared to a similar diesel truck, Hino’s Hybrid 300 Series delivers a significant reduction in fuel consumption and achieves reduced carbon monoxide emissions, as well as reductions in particulate matter and nitrogen oxide.

The company is now using the data gained from nearly two decades of real-world hybrid operation to further refine, develop and enhance hybrid technology. Medium-duty vehicles are undergoing trials in Australia.

Hino Japan hybrid business study group member Nobuyoshi Nishigai believes the company is just beginning to unlock the potential of its hybrid system.

“Commercial vehicles, as well as using stored electricity for propulsion to improve fuel efficiency, can go down other avenues to exploit the

characteristics of hybrid systems,” Mr Nishigai said.

“Let’s take (rubbish) collection trucks, for example. If the (rubbish) collecting process can be performed by (electric) motor and the engine can be turned off, this will result in lower noise and emission levels. I think the same idea can be transplanted into a wide range of other special-purpose vehicles.”

Mr Nishigai said Hino is now focussing on finding more efficient power storage systems and must develop the innovative technology needed to make this desire a reality.

“For example, we will need systems that are capable of ‘learning’ power consumption patterns, based on calculated forecasts of the amount of power a vehicle uses for propulsion and to run onboard equipment,” he said.

Hino’s sales of hybrid vehicles have increased 14-fold since 2003. The company’s hybrid development is as relentless as customer uptake – Hino’s Hybrid revolution will be ongoing, but the technology is certainly here to stay.

“Hino's sales of Hybrid veHicles Have increased

14-fold since 2003”

The Blue Ribbon City Hybrid bus is a prime example of how mass-transit vehicles

can utilise Hino’s Hybrid technology

12 | Torque

Hino Australia is launching a new corporate identity program to consolidate its dealer network and build national brand strength.

National marketing manager Paul Tuffy says Hino’s growth within Australia means a strong corporate identity is necessary to cement the brand’s presence.

“Our corporate identity is the visual representation of our brand’s positioning and values, and plays a significant role in building our brand personality”, said Mr Tuffy.

Under the new identity program, all points of contact with customers and the wider industry will share one unified look – from vehicles to buildings, and signage systems to packaging and sponsorships.

“The Hino Motors corporate marque – intended to both conjure up an image of the sun rising over the horizon and to

symbolise the ‘H’ in Hino – will be standardised across the board,” he says.

“From an external perspective, a new six-metre Hino ‘T’ sign will identify dealers – starting with recently appointed dealers who are keen to display the new corporate image.

“The roll-out of the program in Australia is part of a much bigger international effort by Hino Motors Limited to ensure the brand is managed consistently in every country, and that it is also aligned to all forms of communication on a global basis,” Mr Tuffy said.

Hino Hybrid trucks will also feature new blue livery graphics, echoing a global move by Hino Motors Limited to feature blue-accented colours for hybrid vehicles.

Hino will begin rolling out its new corporate identity in mid-2010.

“Our cOrpOrate identity is the visual representatiOn Of Our brand’s pOsitiOning and values, and plays a

significant rOle in building Our brand persOnality”

NEW CORPORATE I.D. FOR HINO

Torque | 13

progressive west Australian portable building hire specialist Complete portables has renewed its delivery fleet with seven new Hino trucks.

It is the third time in Complete Portables’ 16-year history that it has bought an all-Hino fleet.

The Perth-based company commissioned the seven Hinos to deliver its range of portable offices, accommodation and toilets.

Complete Portables has its headquarters in Malaga and a service depot in Wattleup. It regularly hires buildings in the greater Perth area as far north as Lancelin and as far south as Bunbury.

Company founder and principal Emanuel Dillon says he renewed his truck fleet one year ahead of schedule,

to stay a step ahead of the competition.“Complete Portables was the first

portable building supplier in the West with a fleet of new trucks and the first to have its staff in uniforms,” he says. “It’s all part of offering a better product and better service.

“We initially bought new trucks to ensure greater reliability. The combination of the new trucks and company uniforms helped attract better staff and was soon reflected with improved service to customers.”

The seven trucks consist of six Hino 500 Series and one Hino 300 Series – six with cranes and one tilt tray.

There are four Hino FD 1024s, one GD 1227, one GH 1727 and one 300 Series Wide Cab 716.

Complete Portables’ four Hino FD 1027 trucks have a GVM of 10,400kg and a 7.7-litre Hino turbocharged and intercooled direct-injection engine that delivers 190kW of power at 2500rpm and 794Nm of torque at 1500rpm.

Standard equipment includes ABS

anti-skid brakes, cruise control, Hino Easy Start–Take-off Assist and airbag rear suspension.

Emanuel Dillon says he has continued to purchase new Hino trucks based on reliability and a strong relationship with his dealer WA Hino.

“We pride ourselves on loyalty in this company and we have a fantastic relationship with Paul McGovern and his WA Hino team – notably the back-up from his service team,” he says.

“ COMpLETE pOrTAbLES wAS THE fIrST pOrTAbLE buILDING SuppLIEr IN THE wEST wITH A fLEET Of NEw TruCKS AND THE fIrST TO HAVE ITS STAff IN uNIfOrMS”

COmPLETE PaCkagE fOR COmPLETE PORTaBLES

Perth-based Complete Portables has commissioned seven Hinos to deliver its range of portable offices, accommodation and toilets

– six Hino 500 Series (pictured) and one Hino 300 Series

14 | Torque

Hino confirmed its place among the heavy-hitters of the Australian truck industry with

a significant presence at the International Truck, Trailer and

Equipment Show in Melbourne from 18-20 March.

Hino’s 800m2 stand ran under the theme ‘A History of Innovation’ and showcased the company’s

extensive range of trucks, including a broad section of 300, 500 and 700 Series models.

The History of Innovation theme carried over to all elements of the stand.

Hino provided everything from examples of historic trucks to its successful history in the Dakar rally and the development of its industry-leading hybrid technology.

A strong emphasis was placed on

Hino’s hybrid technology with both a Hybrid 300 Series and the Hybrid 500 Series Japanese domestic model on display as part of the ‘Hybrid Hub’.

The Hub featured a Hino Hybrid engine display, hybrid-specific information and a screen displaying footage of the development and day- to-day use of the green technology.

Hino Motor Sales Australia president Steve Lotter was on hand to open the stand at an event now regarded as one of the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

Mr Lotter said the show at the Melbourne Showgrounds, which was attended by more than 35,000 people, was the ideal place to showcase Hino’s innovative technology, including its Hybrids.

“The organisers of this year’s

International Truck, Trailer and Equipment Show should be commended on their efforts to produce a show that was praised by attendees and exhibitors alike,” Mr Lotter said.

“Hino Australia sees the show as one of the best opportunities to meet potential customers and highlight what our brand has to offer them and their businesses.

“This year we focussed heavily on Hino’s long history of innovation, along with our industry-leading hybrid technology. By coupling this with the acknowledged quality, durability and reliability of our trucks, I think we impressed a lot of people with what we have to offer.”

The centrepiece of the outdoor/indoor stand was a 100m2 marquee which housed a formal reception area,

HINOSHOWS OFF

(L-R) Hino Australia president Steve Lotter and chairman and CEO Kenichi Sekine were on hand to open the stand

Torque | 15

an extensive range of Hino merchandise and two meeting areas alongside an internet station.

A full history of Hino’s efforts in the gruelling Dakar rally-raid event was on display, along with extensive product information backed up by Hino sales and marketing staff.

Hino used the show to launch the 300 Series 614 Automatic Dump – its first fully-automatic light-duty dump truck and the first automatic dump truck in Australia.

The newest model in its line-up is aimed at landscapers, pool builders, rental companies, builders, plumbers and tradespersons.

It is offered with the choice of two GVM ratings – 4495kg (approximately 1.7 tonnes payload) or 5500kg (approximately 2.7 tonnes payload)

and features a narrow cab, a 100kW engine and a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new Auto Dump model fitted well with the Hino stand’s innovation theme and environmentally-sustainable focus.

The 'intelligent' automatic transmission has state-of-the-art features, including fuel-saving torque converter lock-up in five ratios – from second to sixth gear – while its learning characteristics comfortably adapt to the driving style of the driver.

Hino's automatic transmission also features 'neutral control' that electronically switches the transmission to neutral when the truck is stationary and the brakes are applied.

This reduces engine and drivetrain load as well as offering savings in fuel consumption.

Also on display was a new 500 Series fire truck from Victoria’s Country Fire Authority, which sat alongside a 22-year-old example of similar specification.

Mr Lotter said the older model truck – still in service – was a prime example of Hino’s commitment to producing durable trucks.

“Fire trucks in rural environments potentially endure the harshest conditions of any vehicle we sell, so to see one of our trucks still operating after 22 years of service makes me proud and highlights just how tough our trucks are,” he said.

Hino also used the show to display a prototype 500 Series waste management truck that the company jointly developed with waste industry experts McDonald Johnston.

" HINO prOVIDED EVErYTHING frOM ExAMpLES Of HISTOrIC TruCKS TO ITS SuCCESSfuL HISTOrY IN THE DAKAr rALLY AND THE DEVELOpMENT Of ITS INDuSTrY-LEADING HYbrID TECHNOLOGY."

Hino’s new hybrid corporate colours were on display on a Hybrid 500 Series and Hybrid 300 Series

Hino's Hybrid Hub

Victoria’s Country Fire Authority provided a 500 Series fire truck

16 | Torque

TRAININg EMPOWERS

Leading energy provider Energy Australia recently took advantage of Hino Australia’s upgraded training facility to raise the knowledge

and skill level of its service technicians. Hino Australia and Energy Australia have strengthened their 25-year relationship following an intensive week of training for the power company’s service technicians.

Energy Australia has a large fleet of Hinos which are used to service the energy needs of its 1.6 million New South Wales customers.

The energy provider, which recently purchased its 272nd Hino since 1986, sent 61 technicians to Hino’s recently-updated Technical Training Centre in Sydney where over the course of a week each undertook a one-day course.

Hino devised the course in conjunction with Energy Australia, tailoring the training to the specific needs of the company’s technicians.

Training centre manager Sergio Bonvini played a central role in developing the course and believes

it highlights Hino’s ability to provide specialist training to its customer base.

“The nature of Energy Australia’s work means their fleet of Hinos has to be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Mr Bonvini said.

“The idea behind the one-day course is to give Energy Australia service technicians the knowledge and skills to perform a minor service on their 500 Series and older model Ranger Pro trucks.

“Major servicing and any warranty issues will still be undertaken by an authorised Hino dealership, but the knowledge and skills gained enables them to do the basic stuff.”

The course was designed and structured around basic vehicle servicing, engine tuning, electrical systems, diagnostics and trouble-shooting.

“The engine-tuning component covers valve adjustment, engine timing, cooling system servicing and replacing engine oil and lubricants,” Mr Bonvini said.

“Electrical systems training takes in wiring diagrams, circuits and how to troubleshoot minor electrical circuit malfunctions. We also look at the braking system and other areas relevant to their 500 Series and Ranger Pro trucks.”

Mr Bonvini said the course was a good example of Hino’s commitment to its customers. He hopes the course will lead to regular training sessions for Energy Australia and other customers.

Energy Australia’s fleet garage operations manager Martin Reeves praised Hino for organising the training, which he believes is a real benefit to his technicians.

“I can only thank Hino for holding the course, because quality training is valuable for our organisation and important to our people. So it’s great that a manufacturer is getting behind us,” Mr Reeves said.

“I think Hino’s facilities are first class for this sort of training. We covered everything from the basics through to electrical diagnostics – all the elements we wanted to look at.

“Energy Australia has 12 workshops in NSW and we have a large Hino fleet – it’s important to keep our trucks on the road as much as we can.

“We have staff that range in age from their 20s to nearly 70-years-old. They benefit as much as the company because they learn to service our Hinos correctly – and their training increases the longevity of our machinery.”

Hino has customised a training program to teach Energy Australia technicians how to service its Hino fleet

Hino’s Sergio Bonvini (right) said Energy Australia’s technicians responded well to

the intensive one-day course

HINO 700s

Dewatering Services Australia (DSA) specialises in installing high-density polyethylene pipelines, related earthworks and pit dewatering infrastructure in remote areas of western Australia.

It’s no picnic, and to meet its diverse business requirements DSA chose the Hino 700 SS prime mover and a 700 FS trayback, fitted with a crane.

This combination of vehicles and equipment means the company can meet the demands of the job by creating various configurations – from a rigid crane truck, semi-trailer with extendable and drop-decks, through to road trains.

Brett Butterworth, co-director of DSA, says the Hino products have proven

their worth in taking on the rough roads and extreme conditions typical of remote environments in Western Australia.

“We recently completed a job where the SS prime mover did four consecutive round-trips carrying pipes between Perth, Kalgoorlie and Agnew,” said Mr Butterworth.

“That’s 2200 kilometres each trip, so the truck was on the road non-stop for a week and a half and had no problems handling the task.”

On the same project, the FS crane truck, pulling a drop-deck trailer, transported four loads of machinery, pumps and fittings to site, all without incident.

“The Hino trucks are great in all

conditions, whether on the open road or a bore field track,” Mr Butterworth said.

“They are such comfortable vehicles to travel in, and tackle corrugations better than any truck we have ever driven.”

Mr Butterworth and his partners Chris Daly and Zack May have been running Hino trucks for three years, and know they made the right choice.

“We chose Hino initially because our business was growing and we needed more horsepower and more weight capacity,” said Mr Butterworth.

“Alternative brands offered these increases at exorbitant prices. We were looking for value for money and Hino has good, versatile trucks at a good price.”

The trucks do pretty well on fuel

consumption, too, according to Mr Butterworth – about 1.8 to 2 litres per kilometre in road train configuration.

He says even the bunk is comfortable – an opinion formed from first-hand experiences of nights out on the road.

WA Hino account manager Mark Webster says DSA’s confidence in the Hino product assists the brand in the marketplace. Many companies that work alongside Dewatering Services have since purchased new Hino trucks.

Due to the extreme conditions that the trucks encounter and DSA’s heavy vehicle accreditation requirements, the Hino trucks are given a pre-start check before setting off on any job and are serviced every 10,000 kilometres.

Kalgoorlie-based business dewatering Services Australia is taking full advantage of the rugged reliability of its two Hino 700 Series trucks to deliver pipelines and machinery to and from the Goldfields area in WA and as far north as the Kimberley and Pilbara.

TAKE ON THE MINES

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18 | Torque18 | Torque

As part of the Toyota Group, Hino financial Services now offers easy online account access so customers can manage their finance accounts 24 hours a day. It has launched the service using Toyota financial Services (TfS) Online.

Hino customers now have easy and direct access to their account information online. Customers save time and money when logged on to Hino Financial Services with the following account facilities:

• View contract balances• View contract details• Calculate a payout quote

(free of charge)• Generate statements

(free of charge)• Quickly update payment or

contact details.Access to TFS Online can be found at

www.hino.com.au under the ‘Support’ tab. Here, customers can log on to TFS Online or register for online access.

Hino Financial Services’ move to

online access expands the company’s range of financial services, which has long included flexible leasing options for both private owners and fleet operators.

Hino dealers can tailor a lease to suit customers, depending on their specific needs. Hino term purchases, finance leases and business vehicle loans offer fixed rates over 12-84 month terms.

With a term purchase for tax and accounting purposes, the operator is treated as the owner – i.e. on

balance sheet financing. Depreciation allowances may also be claimed.

Ownership of the truck or bus is then passed to the customer upon payment of the final instalment.

Finance leases are accounted for on balance sheet. The lessee is responsible for the payment of any shortfall between the sale proceeds or value of the vehicle and the present residual value at the end of the lease. A key advantage of a finance lease is that it preserves working capital, so that funds can be used in other parts of the business.

A business vehicle loan allows a customer’s business to own the vehicle, while Hino Financial Services takes a mortgage over the vehicle, so it remains an asset of the customer’s business.

Hino Finance also offers fleet financing, with operating leases that enable customers with 20 or more trucks or buses to outsource vehicle acquisition and disposal.

This arrangement passes the risks of ownership onto Hino Financial Services. Fleet Management Services customers can then bundle the cost of any of their services into their monthly payment.

Hino Financial Services reinforces its level of service with new online account access.

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hino.com.auHMS08203

THAN ONE.MORE WAYSCLEAN UP INHELPS YOUNEW AUTOMATIC HYBRIDHINO’S

A TOYOTA GROUP COMPANY

As you’d expect, Hino’s outstanding Hybrid 714 produces significantly reduced emissions. Better still, thanks to its combination of diesel engine and electric motor this truck can deliver brilliant fuel economy, especially in stop-start driving. And when it comes to driver comfort, Hino now has a fully automatic model which makes it the only truck in Australia with such a feature. Like all Hino trucks, the new Hybrid 714 is as tough as nails and works as hard as anything on the road - it’s just a lot smarter

than anything else on the road. For the full story on how the Hino Hybrid can help you visit hino.com.auhino.com.au