Hino_Torque_Autumn 2008

ISSUE No.5 AUTUMN 2008

The 500 Ranger Pro replacement arrives

New 300s

Light-duty range gets bigger

700 upgrade Heavy-duty gets ADR 80/02 treatment

TRD & Hino

Rally champs aim for three-peat

A TOYOTA GROUP COMPANY

“

Inside Line

Managing Director, Wales Truck Repairs

It’s taken Wales Truck Repairs 30 years to build our reputation, and the only way we’ve gotten there is by not cutting any corners. We offer the best of everything – service, workmanship, equipment and

2 | Torque | AUTUMN 2007

innovation. But the one major reason why we can proudly offer our lifetime truck repair warranty is by always fitting genuine parts. Hino Genuine Parts are manufactured to stringent original

equipment specifications so they fit perfectly, perform brilliantly and they’re even competitively priced. If you’ve got a damaged Hino, make sure you insist on Hino Genuine Parts. Better Go Hino.

Hino finished off 2007 in fine style, easily passing the magic mark of 6,000 new truck sales in a calendar year.

The total of 6,136 was a huge 975 sales more than Hino recorded just 12 months earlier.

This was the largest growth of any truck manufacturer in the country, and prompted industry statistician Equipment Research Group (ERG) to award Hino its inaugural Hot Shot Award, recognising Hino as the fastestgrowing truck brand in the country.

It is huge recognition for a company that has undergone significant change in the last 12 months across the management structure, our people and our product range.

It could have been better still, with availability of the Ranger Pro model becoming increasingly scarce towards the end of the year, costing

it a chance to really challenge in the medium-duty segment.

However, Hino won’t be resting on its laurels and we have a massive 2008 planned – both in terms of product and changes to our business.

In the first issue of Torque for 2008 we reveal the new Hino 500 – the replacement for the Ranger Pro medium and heavy-duty range.

The 500 keeps much of what has made the Ranger Pro so popular since its launch in 2003 – particularly in regard to the advanced cabin design and ergonomics.

It now has engines with more power and torque that meet the stringent ADR 80/02 emissions standards, there is a new nine-speed transmission in the line-up, and the new truck features a much higher level of specification.

March also saw the arrival of six

new Hino 300 models, designed to bolster the company’s offering in the light-duty segment.

These include an extra crew cab model, a new automatic variant, and a new manual version of the 414 singlewheel model.

A new Hino 700 has also arrived, with new 420 and 440-horsepower models that meet the ADR 80/02 emissions standards. The new models also have a new chassis design.

Towards the middle of the year, Hino will add new high-horsepower variants of both the 500 and the 700.

They will have more power than any truck Hino has ever released in the medium and heavy-duty markets and will represent an exciting opportunity for the company.

In addition, Hino is taking steps behind the scenes to improve its

customer service. Glenn Jewell has been appointed to head-up our national fleet sales department and he has been busy recruiting regional fleet sales managers to work in a specialised role closely with Hino’s larger fleets.

Glenn already has Tom Ayrton in New South Wales and Jarrod Meldrum in Victoria, and is working on having a Queensland manager in place in the very near future.

The beginning of 2008 has also seen Hino launch its new marketing campaign – “Better Go Hino”.

“Better Go Hino” represents the forward-thinking nature that we hope to embody at Hino, and will be featured in a comprehensive advertising campaign.

Steve Lotter Chief Operating Officer Hino Motor Sales Australia Torque | 3

Hinos in action

Australia’s fastest-growing truck brand Two 700 models on the Hino stand.

Hino made a successful appearance at the 2008 Trucks in Action show in the rural Victorian town of Warragul in February.

Supported by local dealers – CMI Hino, Laverton; Prestige Hino, Dandenong; Bendigo Truck Centre, Bendigo; and ISR Truck Centre, Geelong – the Hino stand proved one of the most colourful.

The new Hino 500 was the star of the show, with a supporting cast that included the borrowed TRD rally team’s Hino 700, the Hino Hybrid as well as representation of the Hino 300 and Hino 700 ranges.

The TRD team of Simon Evans and Neal Bates was also represented with a Corolla S2000 rally car replica.

Two Hino 700s spent the three days of the show circulating on the test loop, giving potential customers the opportunity to ride in the vehicles.

“We had a very successful show,” said Hino dealer development coordinator, Glen Sharman.

“There was a lot of interest in the Hino 500 and the differences between it and the Ranger Pro, and our dealers received quite a significant number of orders.”

The Hino Hybrid and a 300 Crew Cab.

Hino recorded the biggest growth in sales for an Australian truck brand over the 2006/07 period, according to industry statistician Equipment Research Group (ERG).

ERG awarded its 2007 Hot Shot Award for the biggest growth in the commercial vehicle industry to Hino after it increased deliveries of new vehicles by 975 sales over the previous year.

Hino delivered a total of 6136 vehicles to customers in the last 12 months, up from 5161 deliveries in 2006.

The 975-unit increase is an impressive 190 sales higher than the next best growth figure for a truck manufacturer over the year.

Such has been Hino’s growth since 2003 that it has increased its annual

sales by 2799 units in just four years.

According to Hino Australia chief operating officer Steve Lotter, the launch of new models in 2007 and a cohesive dealer effort paved the way for Hino’s sales result.

“Obviously the launch of the Hino 300 in February contributed greatly to our increase in sales in 2007,” he said.

“That shows in the fact that we were the fastest-growing Japanese manufacturer in the light-duty segment.

“Hopefully the growth in sales of the Hino 300 will continue when we release a host of new variants in 2008.

“This award confirms the momentum that Hino and its dealers are building in the marketplace – it is a wonderful acknowledgement that we are heading in the right direction.

“We are introducing exciting new models, and we are working closer than ever with Japan to give the market what it needs,” Mr Lotter said.

“For example, we’ve recently had a team of Hino engineers driving a prototype Hino 700 heavy-duty truck around Australia for evaluation purposes – the first time Hino has ever done this outside Japan.

“In 2007 we opened the stunning new $20 million Prestige Hino in Dandenong, Tory Hino opened refurbished premises, and we committed to opening four more dealerships by early 2008 – two in Victoria and two in New South Wales.

“Such was Hino’s growth in 2007 that we have had to bring our business plans forward by a full year – which is unheard of.”

Hino plans to continue its upward surge across all market segments in 2008 with a host of new models due to be launched.

“We have a new medium-duty range in the Hino 500, which has replaced the well-established Ranger Pro,” Mr Lotter said.

“The Hino 700 will continue its steady climb in the heavy-duty market with new versions being released shortly.

“The Hino Hybrid created a lot of buzz for the company in 2007, and we have a brand-new model arriving in 2008. We will be receiving a greater quantity of the new version than we did last year.

“It all points to an even better year for Hino in 2008.”

Attendees showed great interest in all Hino models.

Customers got a taste of the Hino 700 on the test loop.

The launch of the Hino 300 in 2007 helped Hino record the biggest growth in volume for an Australian truck brand over the 2006/07 period.

4 | Torque

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Japan goes Aussie Hino’s new The Hino 700 development truck is an example of Japan's increased determination to provide models specifically suited to the Australian market.

A contingent of Japanese engineers spent a week at Hino’s Australian headquarters in Sydney early this year.

The group, which included three senior chief engineers, was invited to visit the Australian operation to get a first-hand look at the local market and to engage in discussions on future product introductions and specifications suited to the Australian environment.

The visit was just the latest in a strategy developed by Japan to help Hino Australia provide product designed specifically for local marketing conditions.

Late last year a team of engineers from Hino Japan flew to Australia to conduct a marathon cross-country test of a new high-horsepower version of the Hino 700.

The journey began in Sydney, and proceeded to take in Far North Queensland, the Top End, the Red Centre, Adelaide and the Nullarbor before finishing in Perth.

This test, as well as several other visits from Japanese engineers last year, is further evidence of Hino Japan’s commitment to providing Australia with product engineered for the local conditions and market.

The introduction of several new models to the Hino 300 range early this year is an example of Hino Japan working with its Australian arm to fill gaps that Hino believes it needs to address within its product range.

“Hino has never had the number of Japanese engineers coming to Australia that it has now,” said Alex Stewart, Hino Australia divisional manager – Marketing.

“There are quite a few more visits planned throughout 2008 as Japan and Australia work together to continually improve and expand the products coming to market.

“It just emphasises the importance placed on the Australian market by Hino Japan.”

Fleet Sales Department Hino has unveiled a new fleet department structure designed to deliver greater service to its fleet customers.

Glenn Jewell will head the department in the role of national fleet and government manager.

The new structure will see regional fleet sales managers installed in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria by the end of the first quarter of 2008 – a first for Hino.

The company already has Tom Ayrton in place to oversee New South Wales major fleet operations and has just hired Jarrod Meldrum as Victorian fleet sales manager.

After many years in fleet sales for CMI Hino in Laverton, Mr Meldrum will

now be based in Hino’s new regional office located in Toyota Material Handling’s Dandenong South premises.

With over 20 years’ experience in the trucking industry, Mr Jewell has developed an understanding of the needs of major fleet customers.

“Hino must continue to improve the relationship between the company, its customers and its dealer network,” he said.

“The research we have done over the last few months has confirmed exactly that.

“We also need to demonstrate our greatly improving product range to major customers.

“Today’s customers also want more

“Hino must continue to improve the relationship between the company, its customers and its dealer network” contact with the manufacturer – the regional fleet sales managers will provide that contact, while our dealers will provide the services on the ground.

“Hino will also provide a more convenient and efficient experience for customers who will now have a single point of contact rather than a number of different people talking to them.

“Not only will the focus be on sales, but also after-sales care, technical

expertise and liaison with dealers, the factory and customers,” Mr Jewell said.

Another advantage of the new structure is that it will allow Hino to manage the body-building process on behalf of its customers.

Hino is also implementing the design of specific training programs for larger customers with their own workshops who want to maintain and service their vehicles themselves.

A good time to be a Hino dealer Newcastle Hino outgrew its present site in just two years.

Hino is gearing up for the opening of a number of new dealerships in coming months.

The first to open was Adtrans Hino, which has taken over from the Best Hino locations in the southern Sydney suburb of Mascot and the NSW Central Coast premises in Wyoming.

The Adtrans Group is renowned in the automotive industry, currently operating 16 car dealerships throughout South Australia and nine truck dealerships across South Australia, Victoria and NSW. 6 | Torque

It’s a busy time for Hino in Victoria, with two new dealerships already open for business in Mildura and Shepparton.

Hino considers these regional centres as being crucial to the company’s growth in Victoria. Both Sunraysia Hino (Mildura) and Shepparton Hino are open for business, with both in the midst of having new premises built.

Newcastle Hino will move into an impressive new facility on a two-acre block, on the main road between Sydney and Brisbane – one of the

James Bradstreet at the site of the new Newcastle Hino dealership.

country’s busiest roads.

In one of the great Hino success stories, Newcastle Hino has outgrown its present location in just two years, prompting the need for the new dealership which is scheduled to open in May. Later in the year, another new dealership will open in the rural New South Wales centre of Tamworth.

Hino’s divisional manager – Sales, Enzo Magistro, says the expansion of the dealer network represents an exciting time for Hino.

“We have seen a renewed interest for Hino dealerships,” he said.

“The Hino brand is strong, we have really strong product and we are working on providing an improved standard of customer service – this is a good time to be a Hino dealer.

“We have had to be very strategic with where we choose to open new dealerships. We are looking for locations that aren't currently serviced

by Hino, and are showing significant promise for growth.”

New recruit Glen Jewell is heading Hino’s revamped fleet sales department.

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On the go

gets the treatment

Owned by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Julie Worth, Karrabee Bus + Coach operates in the Mary Valley, 35 minutes’ drive west of Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. They purchased this Hino RK260 bus, the second Hino in their fleet of four buses, in March 2007. Working principally as a school bus in and around Gympie and Noosa, the RK260 covers around 500km per week and increasingly undertakes charter work for commercial clients and school excursions.

Freedom Fuels Petroleum provides on-site refuelling at major worksites in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. It has eight Hino Ranger Pro 6 trucks located at large construction projects such as water and gas pipelines, sometimes working on-site for 12 months at a time. The trucks require a fit-out including a pump and work 12-hour shifts for up to seven days a week.

Freedom Fuels Petroleum credits the Ranger Pro’s toughness, cost-effectiveness and equipment levels with getting the job done in often remote locations.

This Hino 700 prototype was tested thoroughly throughout Australia, and will land here in production form.

Five Hino 616 automatics work out of Thrifty Rentals branches in Melbourne, opening up new opportunities for those customers who can’t operate manual gearboxes.

Hino’s ‘intelligent’ automatic transmission is popular with rental drivers, and the 616’s low running costs and versatility are helping Thrifty develop this growing niche.

CMA Recycling has a number of Hinos in its fleet, including this 700 FS. Fitted with a hook unit to lift waste and cart bins, it works in Sydney. The Hino FS was chosen for its applicability to Sydney’s relatively tight road conditions and its very competitive whole-of-life costs.

8 | Torque

The Hino 700 heavy-duty truck has just received an upgrade to meet the new ADR 80/02 emissions standards.

The new models have also received power increases in addition to better fuel consumption and reduced emissions.

The new Hino FS420, featuring a new power grade, will replace the 4150 and the FS440 will supersede the 4562.

The FS420 has had the greater power increase with a new power rating of 321kW, up from 302kW on the 4150.

All 2008 Hino 700 models will feature common-rail injection, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), and a variable nozzle turbocharger, engineered to ensure optimal fuel consumption and emissions standards.

The 2008-model Hino 700 will have a new and lighter single-skin chassis to improve payload potential and offer improved corrosion resistance.

It also provides easier installation

of body mountings, thanks to a new tapered chassis design.

A new high-horsepower variant of the Hino 700 will arrive in the third quarter of 2008 – a model that has recently conducted some 10,000km of testing in Australian conditions (as profiled in the last issue of Torque).

“The upcoming high-horsepower Hino 700 is a really exciting proposition for us,” said Alex Stewart, Hino Australia divisional manager – Marketing.

“The feedback from existing Hino 700 customers and media who have driven this truck in Australia has been very positive in terms of overall performance.

“They have all commented on how much more powerful, refined, comfortable and easy to drive the new truck is.

“It will be the most powerful heavyduty Hino that the company has ever released in Australia.”

“ The upcoming high-horsepower Hino 700 is a really exciting proposition for us”

The updated FS420 and FS440 variants of the 700 range have already arrived in Australia.

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0 0 5 o n i r H u o y

! s t e r n a i t S eng Hino has replaced its widely popular and successful Ranger Pro medium-duty truck range with the new Hino 500.

Mark McCartney takes a closer look at the truck that Hino says will give customers ‘more bang for their buck’.

With the launch of the Hino 500, Hino Australia is making its bid to seize market leadership of the medium-duty truck segment in Australia.

It came within two per cent of this goal with Ranger Pro before supply issues intervened, but now the new Hino 500s are pouring into Australia and Hino is relishing the fight ahead.

The new engines have raised the bar in several crucial ways that mean major pluses for both operators and the environment. The engines are 10 | Torque

cleaner, have more power, and deliver improved fuel economy and therefore lower CO2 emissions.

The new Hino 500 range is strong on safety, with ABS anti-skid brakes offered as standard equipment for the first time on all 4x2, 6x2 and 6x4 models.

Combine this with the Easy Start feature for smoother starting on hills, and you’re talking a major step forward in OH&S – a consideration that is becoming increasingly important for operators when choosing vehicles.

There’s much more, but in a nutshell, customers are getting more ‘bang for their buck’ from the new Hino 500.

The introduction of the Hino 500 means the Hino 300, 500 and 700 will all sit in perfect alignment in the Hino range.

The Hino 500 offers increased power and torque compared with its predecessor. It has a new nine-speed gearbox, higher specification and outstanding braking performance and increased external vision.

The Hino 500 provides 46 direct

replacements of the Ranger Pro model line-up. An additional three FG (15,100kg GVM) variants have been added with nine-speed Eaton transmissions.

Common-rail fuel injection, cruise control, ABS anti-skid brakes (on all variants except for 4x4 models) and other significant updates will help reinforce the new Hino 500 at the top of the mediumduty truck segment in Australia.

“The Hino 500 represents a major step forward for Hino, and also brings our medium-duty offering into line with

the latest technology used throughout the rest of the Hino line-up – such as EGR (exhaust gas recirculation), common-rail injection and variable nozzle turbocharger, as used in the popular Hino 300,” said Hino divisional manager – Marketing, Alex Stewart.

The Hino Ranger Pro has been a class favourite in the medium-duty truck segment since its introduction in early 2003.

The new Hino 500 carries all of the inherent qualities that have made its predecessor so successful – such as vertical cabin design and impressive cabin comfort and ergonomics.

Ranger Pro pioneered vertical cabin design in the medium-duty segment to allow for greater cabin space and visibility.

In the Hino 500 these qualities have been enhanced. In 2004, Ranger Pro’s first full year on sale, Hino improved its sales in the medium-duty segment by nearly 500 units over the previous year to claim a market share of 32.7 per cent.

The following year Hino sales grew by just under 200 units in the segment, and similar growth in 2006 led Hino to make 2931 new truck deliveries in the mediumduty segment.

The 2006 result saw Hino claim an impressive 34.2 per cent of the mediumduty market – neck and neck with the market leader, which pipped Hino by just by one per cent of market share.

In 2007 the buoyancy of the commercial vehicle market led to Hino’s strongest growth in medium-duty sales since 2004, with a further 400 trucks being delivered.

The 3324 new vehicles represented Hino’s highest ever sales figure for the medium-duty segment, and came amid supply difficulties towards the end of the year.

“We could not get anywhere near enough Ranger Pros out to the dealers at the end of 2007,” said Hino divisional manager – Sales, Enzo Magistro.

“We were less than two per cent away from market leadership, and the supply issues as the Ranger Pro was being run-out probably cost us a real shot at reaching number one in that sector.

“The Hino 500s are arriving thick and fast now, and we are looking forward to an enthusiastic fight in the medium-duty segment throughout the year.”

The Hino 500-range engines deliver increased power and torque at lower maximum revolutions than the superseded Ranger Pro series, allowing Hino to specify taller gearing.

Torque | 11

Together again Simon and Sue Evans dominated the 2007 ARC, winning every single heat of the season on their way to the title.

500 FD Crew Cab 1024.

The Hino 500 interior is a pleasant place to be.

“Customers will get more 'bang for their buck' in terms of specification with the new Hino 500” The engines represent an evolution of front-line technology introduced on Ranger Pro. There are four different power ratings for Hino 500 – 129kW, 152kW, 168kW and 190kW – all ISO NET. Mr Stewart said the new engines have raised the bar in three key areas, delivering a win-win for operators and the environment.

“We’re offering the market cleaner medium-duty truck engines that have more power and increased fuel economy,” he said.

“The improved fuel economy translates directly to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, because less fuel used equals less CO2 produced.

“Hino has achieved these improvements through a combination of the water-cooled EGR systems, variable geometry turbochargers and highpressure direct injection.”

The Hino 500 range offers the latest-generation all-synchromesh Eaton transmissions in four model types – FG, GH, FL and FM. Two nine-speed direct-drive synchromesh Eaton transmissions are offered – the FS6109 and FS8209BBE. The two transmissions share the same ratios but vary in input torque.

A direct-drive top gear is used to optimise economy by reducing the amount of torque required to drive the transmission.

The new Hino 500 range has the additional active safety feature of ABS anti-skid brakes as standard equipment on all 4x2, 6x2 and 6x4 models.

12 | Torque

It is the first time Hino has offered ABS as standard equipment on these models. ABS was previously an optional fitment on Hino medium-duty trucks.

Mr Stewart said the company was a pioneer in introducing ABS technology in Australia.

“Hino debuted ABS as optional equipment in 2003 in Ranger Pro series,” he said.

“The combination of ABS and Easy Start means the Hino 500 range has a comprehensive braking package as standard equipment.

“The clear trend in Occupational Health and Safety is that operators will increasingly specify key safety features like ABS for all their motor vehicles,” he said.

Hino has done away with offering variations on standard equipment, instead establishing a higher set of standard features across the range.

This means that ABS, cruise control, the Easy Start system (4x2 only), CD player, electric windows, air conditioning and keyless entry are all standard across the range.

The Easy Start system is designed to automatically prevent the truck from rolling backwards when starting off on steep inclines and is a well-established feature in the Hino range.

The vehicle maintains the braking force when the driver lifts their foot off the brake pedal.

Easy Start automatically releases the brake as the clutch is engaged for take-off and operates on forward and reverse gears.

The new Hino 500 gives drivers better vision from the cabin, thanks to its new rear-view mirror set-up fitted to both sides of the vehicle.

The Hino 500 features a two-piece external rear-view mirror arrangement.

The upper segment is a standard flat-type mirror, giving normal and distant field of view rearwards. The wide, lower convex spotter mirror lets drivers minimise the size of their blind spot by adjusting it to a position that allows easy viewing of objects closer to the vehicle – which may not normally be visible with a conventional square convex spotter mirror.

Each mirror is individually adjustable to allow drivers to find their most comfortable rear-view set-up.

Eaton's nine-speed transmission now finds its way into three new FG models of the 500 range.

LoadAce returns Hino’s factory-built bodies were a major success story for the company in 2007, with both the Hino 300 TradeAce and Ranger Pro LoadAce contributing to impressive sales figures.

The LoadAce features a factory-approved body with curtain sides. It will return to the market in 2008 in Hino 500-appearance, and Hino expects it to continue its success.

“Our customers obviously like the convenience of being able to buy a ready-made truck straight off the dealer without having to worry about organising a body,” said Mr Stewart.

“It also indicates that the LoadAce fits the applications that our customers are looking for.”

LoadAce returns with the new Hino 500.

Hino returns to the TRD rally team this year, sponsoring its bid to claim a third – and successive – Australian Rally Championship title.

The husband-and-wife duo of Simon and Sue Evans has taken out the last two series, while the team has recorded two straight manufacturers’ championships.

The Evans combination drove the previous generation Group N (Prototype) Corolla in 2007, and won every single heat of every single rally – a first in Australian rally history.

So dominant was the pair that respected motorsport publication Auto Action awarded Neal Bates and his TRD crew the title of Racing Car of 2007 – an honour it shared with Ferrari’s world championship-winning F2007 F1 car.

While Evans was busy demolishing the opposition in the Group N (P) Corolla, team-mates Bates and co-driver Coral Taylor spent the year developing the team’s brand-new Super 2000 Corolla – which does away with a turbocharger, has about the same power as the Group N (P) Corolla, half the torque, a lot less weight, a sequential gearbox and screams to a redline of 8500rpm.

Evans will get his hands on a new S2000 car for the season, and the defending series champion is thrilled at the prospect.

“I can’t wait to go rallying in the new car,” he said.

“Testing has been extremely encouraging. We had a few teething problems early on, but we’ve addressed

those little issues and now the car is just really fast.

“I really think it is faster than last year’s car – and even more fun. You can be really aggressive with it in the corners, which suits me down to the ground.

“These cars are so exciting for Australian rallying.”

Meanwhile, Bates is excited about the prospect of beginning the season with the large majority of development work for the new car out of the way.

“Obviously last year was a bit of a transitional season for Coral and I in working on the S2000 car and changing from our development car to the new model after two rounds,” Bates said.

“It is good to be able to start this season knowing that the development

is largely behind us – we still have a lot to do on it, but this year we can hopefully concentrate on pushing for some strong results.

“The competition is going to be really strong this year – possibly even stronger than last year.

“There are a lot of good drivers driving really fast cars, which is going to be tough for us in the new S2000 cars, because we don’t really know just how quick they are.”

The Australian Rally Championship comprises six rounds for 2008, beginning with the Quit Forest Rally in Western Australia in April, before visiting Canberra in May, Queensland in June, South Australia in July, New South Wales in September and finishing with the NGK Rally of Melbourne in October.

TRD and Hino on the Apple Isle The TRD rally team will be competing in an extra event in 2008, with Neal Bates and Simon Evans set to tackle the famous Targa Tasmania event.

The team will enter a pair of TRD Aurions (featuring Hino sponsorship) in the classic marathon event in April, which winds its way from Launceston to Hobart and includes some of Australia’s most stunning roads.

Bates is something of a Targa Tasmania specialist, having won the event outright

in a Toyota Celica GT4 in 1995. He has competed in the event numerous times, the last of which was in a Lexus in 2002.

Meanwhile, team-mate Evans is rapidly increasing his reputation on tarmac in the ARC. He is bound to provide compelling entertainment for fans as he throws the supercharged Aurion around the Apple Isle.

Targa Tasmania begins in Launceston on Tuesday 15 April and finishes on Sunday 20 April in Hobart.

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Variety light The Hino 300 has proven a hit in the light-duty market since its launch just over a year ago, helping drive Hino to record sales in 2007.

Hino has just expanded its Hino 300 range with six new models to offer customers even more choice.

The changes begin with the 414 single rear wheel model, which has been available since launch with a six-speed automatic transmission.

Hino’s solution for the one-tonne ute owner

(who actually wants to carry one tonne or even more), is now available with a conventional fivespeed overdrive manual transmission in addition to the automatic.

The other standard cab model in the Hino 300 range, the 614, is now available with Hino’s sixspeed automatic transmission.

Hino’s wide cab 716 model was previously available only with a five-speed manual

transmission – it is now also available with the advanced six-speed automatic.

The transmission is made by Asin, the same company that makes the technologically advanced and renowned gearboxes for Lexus vehicles.

The transmission provides impressive refinement and shift quality and a car-like driving experience – meaning the truck is easier to use for inexperienced truck drivers.

Hino's advanced six-speed fully automatic transmission is now available on more variants in the 300 range.

In addition to auto, the single rear wheel Hino 300 414 is now available as a manual.

Hino's 300 Crew Cab Range has just grown from one variant to four.

14 | Torque

“Our automatic transmission models have been very well received by customers,” said Hino Australia’s divisional manager – Sales, Enzo Magistro.

“All our feedback has been positive, with customers saying how easy and more relaxing they are to drive with this transmission.

“It made sense for Hino to bring more variants with the transmission into the country – and the 716 and 614 were the models that were crying out for it.

“We have found that most customers looking

to buy a truck either want an automatic or a manual transmission. “We also believe that when presented with the option of using either manual or automatic transmission, the vast majority of drivers are most likely to keep it in ‘Drive’.”

The popular transmission is also making its debut in two new Hino 300 crew cab models, which has been expanded from one model to four.

The existing 816 crew cab is now available as either a five-speed manual or six-speed automatic.

Flexibility has been added to the crew cab range

with the addition of a model to the 716 line-up.

The 716 crew cab is also available with either the five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.

“These new models have been introduced to give customers greater flexibility in their selection of a new truck,” Mr Magistro said.

“We now have a broader range and greater variety of models in the light-duty segment than ever before. The range can cater to any application that a customer might request in this market.”

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A TOYOTA GROUP COMPANY

When you’ve got a demanding workload, you need Hino’s is engineered for the future. New clean and more powerful

renowned quality, durability and reliability. Every Hino truck engines, including Hybrids, deliver better performance and

economy. Advanced and innovative technologies elevate driver comfort and safety to new levels, and the broad range of 300, 500, and 700

HMS4826

models means there’s a perfect Hino to meet your business needs. To find out more, talk to your local Hino dealer. Better Go Hino.