Hino Motor Sales Australia has today unveiled one of the most significant products in its 50 year history – the all-new Hino 500 Series Wide Cab.
Hino Motor Sales Australia Chairman and CEO Steve Lotter says the company has invested significantly in the 500 Series Wide Cab product to greatly enhance safety, vehicle application and performance, and reduce environmental impact.
“These trucks are a gamer-changer for us and we now offer the broadest range of trucks in these important segments that straddle Australia’s competitive medium & heavy duty markets.”
“By increasing the model range and giving our customers more than 50 models to select from, it provides us with an opportunity to engage in different applications which previously hasn’t been possible,” said Lotter.
Manager, Product Strategy Daniel Petrovski says the new models incorporate innovative approaches with a high level of attention to detail.
“This is one of the most competitive markets in the world with manufacturers from Europe Japan and the USA, and as such we are focussed on incorporating the appropriate specifications for our Australian customers.
“Development of the new 500 Series began back in 2009 and we have developed a product that is tailored specifically for the Australian market,” said Petrovski.
The Hino 500 Series Wide Cab boasts the most comprehensive active safety package of any Japanese truck in the medium duty truck category.
“In an Australian-first for this class, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is now fitted as standard across the new Wide Cab range.
“Another class-leading active safety feature is the standard inclusion of a microphone equipped and night vision enabled reverse camera,” said Petrovski.
The Hino safety package also includes ABS, Anti Slip Regulator (ASR), UN ECE R29-rated cab strength, a driver SRS airbag, ADR84/00 Front Underrun Protection System (FUPS), Easy Start, Cruise Control and Fog Lamps.
Significant upgrades have been made to the J08E and A09C engines to enhance output and lower emissions.
“Our vehicles offer the latest engine technology and are Euro-5 ADR 80/03 emission compliant.
“Engine upgrades include new Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) engine emissions control, stop and start technology, increased RPM and compression ratios, and improved cooling.
“Transmission options include six speed Allison automatic transmissions available across the range, or a six or nine speed synchromesh manual dependent upon the model selected,” said Petrovski.
The 500 Series Wide Cab has undergone a makeover and has a host of features inside the cab to assist driver comfort and reduce driver fatigue, including tilt and telescopic adjustable steering wheel, pendulum style pedals, cruise control, and a new instrument panel.
On the exterior there is a new front, new staircase design entry/exit steps, the next level chassis design and a range of suspension options.
Since 1995, Hino has sold over 16,000 Wide Cab Ranger, Ranger Pro and 500 Series models in Australia and since 2000 350,000 have been sold globally. The last wide cab upgrade was in 2003.
The new Wide Cab range has been reborn with the three strict guiding attributes, Quality, Durability and Reliability, at the forefront of development.
Every Hino truck is also supported by Hino Advantage - a suite of innovative business-building solutions that can dramatically reduce costs and improve operational efficiency for the customer.
The Hino Advantage suite of services include a dedicated customer care centre, access to Hino Genuine parts and accessories, factory-trained service technicians, roadside assistance, Hino Telematics, fleet training, capped price servicing and Hino Financial Services.
The new range of models include the FG, GH, FL and FM and will be available at Hino dealerships nationwide from March 2017.