Hino_Torque_Spring2007

ISSUE No.3 SPRING 2007

Hino Foxing with Ranger Pro Linfox orders new medium-duty trucks

Tassie First New Hino fire truck a breakthrough in Tasmania

TRD’s New SSuper Truck

Hino joins TRD rally team

BECAUSE NOT ALL SMALL BUSINESSMEN ARE SMALL BUSINESSMEN.

hino.com.au 2 | Torque | AUTUMN 2007

A TOYOTA GROUP COMPANY

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Hino appreciates that a lot of truck drivers aren’t built like jockeys, and that’s why the interior cabin of the smarter Hino 300 is full of clever ergonomic advances to maximize spaciousness and comfort. The high-roof cab offers the most headroom in its class. The tilt/telescopic steering column is fully adjustable. And the easy-sliding seat provides plenty of legroom. There’s a Hino model that’s perfect for every Australian businessman, large or small.

Inside Line There are few teams in Australian professional sport that have a record like that of Toyota’s rally team in 2007.

The team has won every single heat and rally of the season, spearheaded by reigning Australian Rally Champions Simon and Sue Evans.

The Evans combination looks a near certainty to claim their second straight ARC title.

Hino jumped at the opportunity to form a partnership with such an incredibly successful team.

The striking new Hino 700 Series rigid pantech that you see on the front cover is one of the fruits of the relationship. Turn to page eight to see how our King of the Road went on its first journey with the team.

Even for those that haven’t seen much of it, rallying is a truly compelling spectacle. It offers a completely different experience for the viewer when compared with any other motorsport avenue – much less any other sport. The concept of courageous drivers flinging really fast cars over slippery and tree-

lined dirt roads is astonishing. It is so much more of an adventure than any other motorsport event!

The last quarter of 2007 sees the beginning of yet another period of busy launch activity for Hino.

Towards the end of this year we will see the introduction of the Hino 500 – the replacement for the medium-duty Ranger Pro Series. The Hino 500 Series will make our new Hino family complete, with 300 Series (light duty) and 700 Series (heavy duty).

Early in 2008, Hino will be introducing an upgraded 700 heavyduty truck, and some new 300 model variants.

More models will follow throughout the year, with an exciting new bus model scheduled to arrive. Hino has a very strong reputation in the bus market, and we are looking to increase our commitment to the market with an expanded range in 2008.

There is also the possibility of a new model Hybrid truck towards the end of next year as well.

Stay tuned for more information on these new models!

Hino Australia has just completed a million-dollar refurbishment of its head offices in Sydney’s south.

The Taren Point offices have been home to Hino for 12 years, and had become distinctly “retro” in appearance.

The million-dollar refurbishment has transformed the premises into a modern and stylish location.

The office areas, meeting rooms and training rooms have all been updated to better reflect what a leading player in the ever-expanding Australian truck market should look like.

The changes provide another example of the investment that Hino Australia is making in the business – and especially in the local truck market.

The Spring edition of Torque profiles a number of firsts for the Hino Ranger Pro medium-duty truck.

On page 15 you will see Hino’s dual-purpose Ranger Pro Crew Cab,

purchased by the Tasmania Fire Service.

The 4x4 Ranger Pro models are a really popular choice for the brigade’s counterparts in Victoria – the Country Fire Authority.

Famous national transport company Linfox has taken delivery of its first Hino Ranger Pro. Dressed up in the company’s signature red and yellow livery, the new truck certainly looks the part.

Linfox has ordered an initial batch of 28 Ranger Pros, and you can get the “Inside Line” on the new trucks by turning to page 12.

These two examples are proof of the increasing number of businesses turning to Hino for their medium-duty requirements – and confirmation that Hino is becoming a firm favourite among Australian truckies.

Steve Lotter Chief Operating Officer Hino Motor Sales Australia 3 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Prestige Hino dealer principal Sam Nixon (left) presents Ferguson Plarre’s Ralph Plarre with Victoria’s first hybrid truck.

Bakery takes early delivery of Hino Hybrid One of Melbourne’s oldest food retail chains has become an early adopter of hybrid truck technology.

Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses, which has a proud history dating back to the early 1900s, recently took delivery of a Hino Hybrid light-duty truck.

The Hino Hybrid was delivered to Ferguson Plarre by Dandenong-based Prestige Hino, and its purchase was supported by Sustainability Victoria.

The leading government agency on climate change, Sustainability Victoria works across community, industry and government to reduce everyday environmental impacts and to help secure a high quality of life and growing economy for Victorians.

The Hino Hybrid is the first hybrid truck to be released in Australia.

It combines a 4.0-litre 110kW diesel engine with a 23kW electric motor, which run in parallel.

It is claimed to provide up to 20 per cent improved fuel economy compared 4 | Torque | SPRING 2007

with a similar conventional truck, and to achieve greater emission control.

“The introduction of the Hino Hybrid is a milestone in the Australian trucking industry,” said Prestige Hino dealer principal Sam Nixon.

“The decision by Ferguson Plarre to embrace hybrid technology is a tremendous endorsement and acknowledgement of what this new system offers.

“Hino has demonstrated its commitment to bring hybrid technology to the market,” Mr Nixon said. “Similarly, Ferguson Plarre has shown vision in adopting hybrid technology, and Sustainability Victoria in providing the support to industry to understand and invest in the technology.”

Famous for their desserts, pasties and award-winning pies, the Ferguson and Plarre families first established themselves in Australia in the 1800s.

With 32 outlets now located in and around Melbourne, the Fergusons

commenced business in 1901 and the Plarres in 1911.

After decades of refining their respective pastry-cooking expertise, the two families merged their businesses in 1980 to become Ferguson Plarre Bakehouses.

According to Ralph Plarre, Production CEO of Ferguson Plarre, the purchase of Hino Hybrid has coincided with the construction of the company’s new ‘green’ bakery at Translink, Keilor Park.

“Ferguson Plarre is committed to sustainability of resources and the Hino Hybrid is a very good fit,” said Mr Plarre.

“The new Ferguson Plarre bakery at Keilor Park features many environmental initiatives and systems including a process that reclaims heat downstream from the pastry ovens, which in winter is then used to warm parts of the building.

“There are also processes in place to manage the use of gas, electricity and water, and how we recycle and dispose of waste,” Mr Plarre said.

“We have already done some modelling with the Hino Hybrid and are confident that it will set a new standard in transport sustainability, one that will impact on both running costs and the environment through significantly lower fuel consumption.

“Sustainability Victoria played a key role in our decision to go ahead with the Hino Hybrid, and we acknowledge their support and assistance throughout the entire process.”

The role of Hino Hybrid’s electric motor as a starter motor means Hino Hybrid can shut down its diesel engine when the vehicle is stopped, and smoothly restart the engine when it is time to move off.

The idle-stop function operates when the vehicle is stationary, the transmission is in neutral and the driver’s foot is on the brake pedal.

The diesel engine restarts as soon as the clutch pedal is depressed.

Hino EX-SELLS at truck shows

‘Bulletproof’ Hino Buses in Warragul

WA Hino enjoyed a highly successful 2007 Perth Truck and Trailer Show, selling nearly every exhibit on its display.

Four of Warragul Bus Lines’ ‘bulletproof’ Hino buses.

Hino did great business at the 2007 Perth Truck & Trailer Show.

Held at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre over July 27 to 29, the event saw over 8000 visitors view 100 exhibitors who were displaying trucks, trailers, accessories and ancillary transport goods and services valued at over $30 million.

Hino displayed its unique Hino Hybrid along with the 300 Series Automatic, 300 Series Crew Cab, 700 Series 4562 and 4568 and several other models, all of which found favour with a truck-hungry audience.

“We sold six of the seven vehicles we had on display,” said Bruno Cirillo, WA Hino sales manager.

The only one not sold was the Hino Hybrid, which was for display purposes only.

“In addition to selling those six trucks off the floor we generated three other sales directly from the show – in fact, writing a total of nine sales far exceeded our expectations.

“The most pleasing aspect was that all six sales were new business, so we couldn’t be happier.”

The booming Western Australia economy guaranteed maximum interest in the Hino exhibits and the

company’s bid to be the number one truck brand in Australia.

“Writing some very good business with new customers was very welcome, but the show was also a good opportunity for relationship-building with existing clients and general industry networking,” Mr Cirillo said.

Mr Cirillo said the show was a great barometer of the vigorous economic activity in Australia’s largest state and highlighted the opportunities the boom had created.

“The mining boom and general strength of the WA economy means that the truck brand which best understands and anticipates client expectations is the one that will capture the growth, and I believe Hino is the brand to do that.”

Over in the east, the Hino display at the recent 2007 Commonwealth Bank Agquip at Gunnedah, NSW, overcame wind, heavy rain and below-average crowds to record a strong sales result from the successful event.

Located at a site eight kilometres west of Gunnedah off the Oxley Highway, this year’s Agquip, held

from August 21 to 23, attracted over 90,000 visitors.

The Hino display included the 300 Series 414 Auto, 614 IFS, 614 Dump and 716 Dump, Ranger Pro 6, 7 and 10 and the new 700 Series Six-Rod. The opening of the show was affected by rain and gale force winds arrived on the second day, which only served to fan demand, according to Muswellbrook and Tamworth City Hino general manager, Les Bultitude.

“Although visitor numbers were a little down because of the weather on the first two days, we were impressed with the sales from the event, and it was a great opportunity to promote our new Tamworth dealership to the local area,” Mr Bultitude said.

For visitors, Agquip is often the only chance each year to compare likewith-like models across many different brands on the same day – and Hino seemed to come out on top.

“When making a direct comparison with Hino’s major competitors, visitors to our stand said the features and standard equipment levels of Hino make it a very competitive sales proposition,” Mr Bultitude said.

Warragul Bus Lines owes its record of superior service to its fleet of Hino buses.

Commanding almost 90 per cent of its market, Warragul Bus Lines has 33 Hino buses in its fleet.

Warragul Bus Lines is part of the Dineen Bus Group that was established over 40 years ago with one bus.

It’s now among the top five bus operators in Victoria with a fleet of over 300 vehicles.

It operates in metropolitan Melbourne as well as regional and rural areas.

Warragul Bus Lines undertakes charters, as well as school and commuter bus services between Pakenham and the La Trobe valley.

“The reason we opt for Hino Buses is because they’re pretty much bulletproof,” said Warragul Bus Lines manager, Phil Radford.

“By covering 90 per cent of the bus routes in our market, we can’t afford any unscheduled down time.

“We do all of our service in-house, and all the technicians have to do with the Hino Buses is change the oil and get them back out on the road.”

Mr Radford said his buses average around 500 kilometres per week.

“Reliability and whole-of-life cost is crucial to any bus business, and Hino has been able to deliver on both of these for many years now,” Mr Radford said.

The Hino Warragul Bus Lines’ fleet is made up of RG197s, BD186s, RK176s, RG230s and RK260s.

“We have a Hino RB8 on order, and we are also expecting the replacement to the RK260,” Mr Radford said.

5 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Toyota wheels in the big guns Toyota had a busy August, releasing two new models and a new brand onto the Australian car market.

The first of the launches was the stylish new Kluger SUV. The big news is that the Kluger is now available, for the first time, in 2WD as well as AWD to give customers more choice when selecting a new vehicle.

The new Toyota Kluger is significantly larger, roomier and more powerful than the vehicle it replaces.

It is the class-leader in providing standard active and passive safety equipment in a segment where safety is at the top of purchase considerations.

All models are fitted with the widest range of standard safety features in the medium SUV class, including a segmentleading total of seven airbags.

Toyota has made major technical changes to new Kluger. It has an efficient new 3.5-litre Quad-Cam V6 with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence.

It develops 201kW on regular unleaded fuel, making it the most powerful naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine in its class.

At the same time, new-generation Kluger is more fuel-efficient than

its predecessor – using just 11 litres/100km for all models except the AWD Grande, which is rated at 11.6 litres/100km.

Next was the launch of the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brand to Australia and the introduction of the new TRD Aurion.

The TRD Aurion marks the inception of a higher level of performance vehicles to the Toyota range – with HiLux to follow shortly in receiving the TRD treatment.

The new supercharged TRD Aurion is 241kW of style, passion and performance.

Locally designed and built, TRD Aurion is the most powerful Toyota ever seen in Australia, sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds and with a top speed limited to 250km/h.

The head-turning new car is fitted with sports suspension, performance brakes, 19-inch alloy wheels, TRD front and rear bumpers, side skirt and rear spoilers, sports seats, power driver’s seat, alloy pedals, TRD scuff plates, air conditioning and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The new TRD Aurion.

Toyota’s all-new Kluger.

Go for the Genuine Article – Hino Accessories Hino has a wide range of accessories and products that enhance the performance and resale value of Hino trucks.

Hino Genuine Engine Oil is suitable for turbo-charged diesel and naturally aspirated engines, from light commercials right up to Hino heavyduty trucks.

Specially formulated by Castrol and approved for all Hino engines, it is designed to reduce engine wear and provide excellent oxidation stability.

The advanced formulation 15W-40 multigrade oil is tuned to Hino’s latest engine technology and meets JASO DH-1, ACEA E3 and Hino Expert 21 specifications.

While Hino Genuine Engine Oil is blended for modern Hino engines, its formulation provides protection and improved performance for older engines as well as all other Japanese and most European diesel engines.

6 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Protection of another kind can be found with the Hino range of polished aluminium bull-bars that are suitable

for all trucks in the Hino range, from 300 Series through to Ranger Pro and 700 Series.

Hino bull-bars can be purchased and fitted at Hino dealers.

Hino bull-bars are fully ADRcompliant and airbag-compatible for relevant Hino models.

They feature a cut-out Hino logo to signify their Hino Genuine parts status, which includes a 12 month/ 100,000km warranty.

Despite the exceptionally strong demand for Hino bull-bars, they are readily available at Hino dealers, where fitment is recommended.

Hino has also announced the release of a new series of Hino seat covers.

Available in either cloth or canvas, the new Hino seat covers suit all current models in the Hino truck line-up.

For more information on all Hino Genuine parts and accessories, contact your local Hino dealer by visiting www.hino.com.au.

On the go 1

Gaby Cool Transport was established in 1986 with one truck.

Now the refrigerated storage and transport company, based at Currumbin, Queensland, has an extensive fleet that provides a daily service to Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. Its fleet is made up of Safe Food Accredited vehicles, which are capable of carrying either carton or pallet loads. The Hino Ranger Pro 12, one of three in the Gaby Cool Transport fleet, was delivered through Gold Coast Hino. Sales executive Martin Lacroix said: “We help Gaby Cool with fit-out of the Ranger Pros and we also look after the service of their Hino fleet because minimal downtime is crucial to maintaining their daily delivery deadlines.”

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As a builder of staff accommodation for the rapidly growing mining industry in Western Australia, KEA Constructions needed a reliable yet comfortable truck to handle the conditions and long distances. In fulfilling that criteria, this Hino 816 Crew Cab was recently purchased by KEA and does a great job working in and out of the Pilbarra region, according KEA business manager Erica Adams.

“In addition to transporting our workers, the Hino Crew Cab is used for moving materials such as roof sheets, other building materials, compressors and tools,” she said. “If it has to go into Port Hedland for materials, that’s a 600km round trip.” Asked whether the 816 Crew Cab had found favour with KEA staff, Erica said: “The guys normally fight for the keys because it’s so nice to drive. I’m waiting for my chance to get behind the wheel.” The 816 Crew Cab’s roll-over protection is a requirement when working in mining areas.

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This Hino Ranger Pro 14 Automatic water truck is now part of P&O Ports’ large and diverse fleet at Port Hedland. According to P&O automotive stevedoring manager Mike Staff, the Hino works 24/7, watering 65,000-tonne shipments of manganese and chromite sent down from the mines before it is loaded onto P&O’s cargo ships. Featuring a complete fit-out as a water tanker, including a $13,000 water cannon facility to undertake fire-fighting duties if required, the total cost of the conversion, including roll-over protection, was $120,000. This is the first vehicle that P&O has purchased for this important role – and it says it will be acquiring more of the fitted-out Hino water tankers to help with the company’s strenuous around-the-clock workload.

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This Hino 700 SS tipper owned by Curnow (WA) was delivered and fitted out by CMI Hino in Victoria. Asphalt company Curnow has several other Hino 700s in its fleet. The $70,000 fit-out consists of a 34 Bisalloy semi-tipper with a capacity of 38 square metres, which CMI Hino tested by filling with sand – as shown in the photograph. It also features a tri-axle with air-bag suspension. CMI Hino says Curnow is delighted with the truck’s capabilities, and with the service it provides as a dealer.

To be included in this section, please send an image (high res, min 1 meg) and 50-60 words about your business to glen.sharman@hino.com.au

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7 | Torque | SPRING 2007

RALLY GOOD

Hino has just presented the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) rally team with a brand new 700 Series SS. The impressive new heavy-duty truck is the result of a partnership forged between Hino and the TRD team of Australian Rally Champions Simon Evans and Neal Bates.

8 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Hino joined the team shortly before the Rally of Canberra in June, with Hino signage appearing on the cars for the third round of the season in the nation’s capital.

The new truck was kitted-up with Hino genuine accessories and delivered to the team before the fourth round at the Toyota Kluger Rally of South Australia.

The Hino 700 is responsible for the transportation of all of the team’s spare parts, tools, tyres, wheels, oils and lubricants to and from rallies all over the country. At every event and Barossa

TRUCK TRD car controller Geoff Forshaw is the 700’s day-to-day driver.

test session, the truck is transformed into a mobile workshop for the team’s mechanics.

Before making its first trip from the team’s base in Canberra to the

Valley, the new truck had its wheelbase extended from 3990mm to 6600mm.

A two-part pantech body was then fitted to the chassis. The body was custom-made for the team and has been designed specifically to facilitate the needs of the nation’s most successful rally crew.

The compartment immediately behind the cabin features a number of chests of bright red drawers, two work benches and vices.

This section stores tools and the various “bits and pieces” needed at a rally weekend or test session. It also stores the drivers’ belongings and has been known to double as a changeroom for drivers and co-drivers on test days.

The work benches provide more than adequate room for working on, and for machining parts on location.

The rear section stores mechanical and body parts, as well as other essential items, but is most noticeable for the number of tyres stored there.

On rally weekends the rear door of the pantech is a hive of activity

The 700 ate up the Hay Plains on the way to SA.

as tyre technicians and crew work to provide the drivers with the optimum tyre selection, with the smell of burning rubber filling their nostrils as they work with tyre-cutting tools.

The nature of rallying means that the team often travels to remote locations for testing, and as the team’s workshop away from home, the big Hino is required to access these locations.

The team needs a rigid truck for these requirements and the Hino 700’s diff and cross locks, as well as the ease of manoeuvrability, help when the truck leaves the road and has to negotiate the usually forested areas.

The inaugural trip for the TRD team’s new truck was from the team’s base in Canberra to South Australia. continued over page 9 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Three-times Australian Rally Champions Coral Taylor (left) and Neal Bates are both enthusiastic truckies.

The 12.9-litre six-cylinder engine in the 700, which produces 331kW of power and 2157Nm of torque, impressed the team on the journey.

“It is a fantastic package, and exactly what we need for this application,” said team boss and truck driver Neal Bates.

“There are quite a few long inclines on the way to South Australia, and I was a little surprised at how good it really was – it was not found wanting at any time during the trip.

“It is also really easy to drive – all of the controls are straightforward and the ergonomics of the cabin are

all first class. It is a very comfortable truck.”

After handling everything the 15hour journey threw at it with aplomb, the 700 made its first foray onto dirt at the Tuesday test session in Cromer forest ahead of the weekend’s rally.

The Hino 700 took pride of place as the centrepiece of the team’s testing set-up, as journalists from Adelaide attended the test to cover the appearance of the Adelaide Crows’ Andrew McLeod and to interview the rally drivers.

After a faultless testing session, the truck was transported to Barossa Valley Toyota for some very early crosses with Cameron Williams on the Nine Network’s Today program.

Cameron did one sports cross, sitting in the rear tyre storage compartment of the truck, before it was moved to the service location where the team continued working on the cars.

The Hino 700 again returned to a heavily forested off-road location for the event’s media day in Mount Crawford forest on Friday. The truck easily handled the tight confines and rutted surface of the drive.

Saturday brought the real start of the rally, and the Hino 700 was strategically placed in TRD’s area of the service park to allow the easiest access for the crew.

Before long on the first day, the quiet of the service park was interrupted by a radio call from Bates’ co-driver, Coral Taylor.

Taylor informed the team that the duo’s new Super 2000 Corolla rally car had hit a kangaroo – damaging the front right corner of the car.

As if ordering from a drive-through fast food outlet, Bates then got on the radio to describe the damage to his car and order new parts.

The team sprang to action in an attempt to have all required parts ready to go when Bates and Taylor arrived for the 20-minute service period.

A new headlight, new front bumper and panel repair tools were all retrieved from the truck and laid out in the service area before Bates’ return. The team methodically, yet quickly, went about working on the damage, and within 20 minutes had the car fully repaired and back on the road to the next stage.

Bates and Taylor continued on to record a third place finish in Heat 1 despite the drama.

Meanwhile, Simon and Sue Evans romped home to score their fourth consecutive rally victory to establish a mammoth 95-point lead in the Australian Rally Championship.

The Hino 700’s next trip was a relatively short one from Canberra up the New South Wales coastline to Forster for a brand new event, the Great Lakes rally.

“All in all, I could not have asked for any more from the 700 Series. In every aspect it surpassed all of my expectations in its first test – I am over the moon at its performance,” Bates said.

The long trek to SA brought out our photographer’s artistic streak.

10 | Torque | SPRING 2007

TerrificTRD Neal Bates’ new Super 2000 Corolla has impressed since its debut.

The TRD rally team is currently dominating the NEC Australian Rally Championship.

After winning the 2006 championship, husband and wife team Simon and Sue Evans have won all five rallies of the 2007 season to date.

Each rally event features two heats, and so dominant has the couple been in their last generation Group N (Prototype) Corolla this season that they have won every single heat out of the ten run to date.

The pair crushed the opposition in the first three events in Queensland, Western Australia and Canberra. They then held off a strong challenge from local specialist Steve Glenney in South Australia before claiming round 5 in NSW. “Everything has gone perfectly for us this year,” says Simon. “The Group N (P) Corolla is at the absolute peak in terms of its development after six years.

“The championship is not over yet, though – we still have a job to do in Melbourne.

“I’m not even thinking about the championship – I just try to concentrate on preparing as normal for each event and focusing on the next corner.

“I would love to win every rally this year because I go to each event to try and win it – but securing the overall championship has to be my main goal.”

While Evans has been let loose in

a full-on attack on the championship, team-mate Neal Bates has been given the important task of developing the new Super 2000 Corolla.

S2000 is a new category designed to bring more manufacturers to the sport and introduce even more excitement to the sport of rallying.

The specifications of the new cars see 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engines revving to 8500rpm with six-speed sequential gearboxes.

The S2000 cars are spectacular, purpose-built rally cars, as opposed to the Group N (P) Corolla which was a production car.

Bates and co-driver Coral Taylor drove the first two events in Queensland and WA in a S2000 test car – last year’s Group N (P) with an S2000 drivetrain.

The three-time ARC champions scored the first-ever stage win and the first-ever podium (third) for an S2000 car in WA. In Canberra for Round 3, Bates debuted the brand new S2000 Corolla, finishing third in its first event – which would have been second if not for a cut tyre slowing the car.

“Developing a new car is never easy,” says Bates. “We have been helped by the fact that we have had impeccable reliability over its first two events – not a single mechanical problem.

Simon and Sue Evans have won all five rallies of 2007 in their Group N (P) Corolla.

“We are making progress but it is only very early. To have the pace we have had so early in the car’s development is exciting.

“At the start of the season, if you had told me we would be second in the championship after running the test car

for two events, then introducing a new car I would have laughed at you – the guys have done an amazing job.”

Round 6 of the ARC is the NGK Rally of Melbourne, based in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, from November 9 to 11.

11 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Linfox opts for Hino Linfox, Australia’s largest privately owned transport company, has taken delivery of its first batch of Hino Ranger Pro trucks.

Linfox has ordered a total of 28 Ranger Pro – 12 Ranger Pro 10 Ace and 16 Ranger Pro 6 Ace – which will be working out of Linfox depots in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Queensland. It is Linfox’s first official order of Hino trucks.

12 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Seven of the Ranger Pro 10 Ace have already been delivered, with the remainder to be delivered by November.

“Building a relationship with Linfox is a tremendous opportunity for Hino,” said Steve Lotter, Hino Australia chief operating officer.

“As Australia’s largest independent transport company, Linfox has grown through innovation, maintaining an unstinting focus on customer expectations and highly strategic planning.

“These are the same precepts

that Hino is building upon for the future, and I am confident that those shared values will help develop our relationship with Linfox for the long term.”

Hino assisted with the fit-out of the insulated refrigeration trucks

– including the addition of the rear lazy axle, painting and preparation for the body fit-out.

The Hino Ranger Pro 10 Ace vehicles are powered by an intercooled turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine with Timed Injection-rate Control System (TICS). They produce 191kW of power at 2500rpm and 745Nm of torque at 1500rpm driving through a nine-speed Eaton gearbox.

They are fitted with twin air-bag rear suspension, with double-acting shock absorbers and mechanical height control.

The Ranger Pro 6 Ace are also powered by an intercooled turbo-diesel inline six-cylinder engine with TICS,

producing 173kW of power at 2500rpm and 706Nm of torque at 1500rpm.

Linfox was established in 1956

by Lindsay Fox, who pioneered integrated transport and storage logistics in Australia.

With a fleet of over 5000 vehicles and 260 sites of operation, Linfox remains an industry leader in warehousing, transportation and supply chain management.

The Linfox vision is to be the supply chain solutions provider of choice throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

Linfox established operations in Malaysia and Thailand in 1993 and Hong Kong in 2001.

Following its acquisition of Mayne Logistics and more recently FCL and Provincial Freightlines, Linfox has doubled its presence in Southeast

“Building a relationship with Linfox is a tremendous opportunity for Hino.”

Asia, with operations in both mainland China and Indonesia.

Linfox now employs 1600 people throughout Asia, and another 14,400 in Australia and New Zealand.

“Linfox has achieved incredible growth throughout the Asia-Pacific, and as a global brand with a focus in this region, I believe Hino could make a significant contribution to Linfox’s long-term plans through Hino’s leadership in hybrid and fuel cell technology,” Mr Lotter said.

In addition to its massive fleet of vehicles, Linfox operates in 11 countries and has over 1.8 million square metres of warehousing space.

13 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Hino 300 Series

Automatic for the People Hino 300 Series has found favour with a Newcastle car rental company thanks to its class-leading six-speed automatic transmission.

ARA Rentals has three Hino 616 Automatics in its fleet, filling an important niche in the growing DIY removals market in NSW’s Hunter region.

The Hino 616, along with 15 other model variants in the 300 Series, has dual licence compliance which allows drivers with a car-only licence to operate the vehicle.

“The dual licence compliance is a key factor, but the ease-of-use for our clients with the automatic transmission fitted to the Hino 616 makes it an important inclusion in our fleet,” said ARA branch manager Justin Mercieca.

“People like the convenience and familiarity of driving any automatic vehicle, so the 616 was an obvious choice for this segment of the rental vehicle market.”

ARA Rentals’ Hino 616 trucks are fitted with a 4.4-metre by 2.2-metre pantech, which Mr Mercieca said was the ideal size for someone moving from a three-bedroom house.

The trucks are also fitted with a 500kg-rated hydraulic lift for added loading convenience.

ARA Rentals has over 100 vehicles in its fleet, including Toyota Corollas, Taragos and a variety of HiLux utilities.

As part of the Toyota Group of Companies, Hino shares with Toyota the same values of product quality, durability and reliability – values which struck a chord with ARA rentals.

“Our fleet of Toyotas was chosen because of their reliability and low cost of running, so opting for the Hino 616 trucks was a logical decision given the close association between the two brands,” Mr Mercieca said.

Hino’s new 300 Series features new transmissions – including a sixspeed fully automatic transmission that is offered on three models.

It has some features not found in luxury car transmissions.

Hino’s six-speed ‘intelligent’ Automatic has fuel-saving torque converter lock-up in five ratios – from second to sixth gear.

The learning characteristics of the new intelligent six-speed automatic transmission can comfortably adapt to the driving style of the driver.

The new automatic transmission also features ‘neutral control’ that electronically switches the transmission to neutral when the truck is stationary and the brakes are applied.

ARA Rentals branch manager Justin Mercieca with his new Hino 616 Automatic.

14 | Torque | SPRING 2007

Tasmania Fire Service launches dual-purpose Hino Ranger Pro The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) has developed the Hino Ranger Pro Crew Cab with a dual-purpose capability that is a breakthrough in fire-fighting on the Apple Isle.

“Other trucks would have required significant chassis modification but the Hino was able to fit our design perfectly, which has resulted in a significant cost saving.”

The dual-purpose Hino Ranger Pro will make a big difference to the TFS’ fire fighting capabilities.

The Hino Ranger Pro 8Z GT 4x4 Crew Cab can attend both rural and metropolitan fires, adding extra resources to the TFS’ firefighting potency.

The Hino GT can switch between 2WD and 4WD modes to negotiate a range of different terrains and conditions at the push of a button.

The ability for one vehicle to attend both vegetative (bush) and structural (urban) fires is a first for the TFS. The TFS has 486 vehicles in its fleet, and says the dual-purpose Ranger Pro is the way of the future.

In addition to HAZMAT (hazardous material) capability, the TFS Hinos have metropolitan fire hydrant connectivity and on-board pumps that allow their tanks to be used in a rural situation in tandem with other trucks containing water tanks.

The pumps aboard the TFS Hino Ranger Pro have an output capacity of 2300 litres of water per minute.

The TFS opted for the Hino Ranger Pro due to its overall specification and because the chassis required no

modification to fit the 3000-litre tanks, pumps and stowage.

“Other trucks would have required significant chassis modification but the Hino was able to fit our design perfectly, which has resulted in a significant cost saving,” said TFS fleet manager Leon Smith.

The complete cost of the finished vehicle is $190,000, a saving of $30,000.

Following the recent introduction of the new vehicle to the TFS fleet, the service has two more Ranger Pros ready for the same dual-purpose fit-out.

“The dual capability of these new trucks virtually doubles the fire-fighting resources in our region,” Mr Smith said.

“I was out in the field in operations for 13 years prior to my appointment as TFS fleet manager, and there wasn’t one fire, (with the exception of fires in

remote areas that require helicopter access) either in the bush or in a builtup area that I attended where this new type of fire-fighting appliance couldn’t have made a difference,” Mr Smith said.

“This is an evolutionary design that has been tailored to fit for a number of fire-fighting purposes, and its positive impact from a fire-fighting resource perspective will be considerable.”

The TFS chose the Ranger Pro as the existing chassis didn’t require any modifications.

15 | Torque | SPRING 2007