Torque by HINO Autumn 2010

ISSUE No.11 AUTUMN 2010

Remote Servicing

What it takes to service a truck in the Dakar rally

Survey Says YES

Hino technicians review hybrids Down Under

THE BEEFED UP HINO HEAVY DUTY RANGE.

IT’S POWER

P ACKED UP TO 480HP. When we say beefed up, we mean beefed up. Our enhanced

heavy-duty models offer more power, improved fuel economy, reduced emissions, and allow for more applications from tippers to interstate transport.

So if you’re looking for power and heaps of it, head to your local Hino dealer today.

hino.com.au MODElS

POWER

FM Auto

300hp

FM

320hp

FS

440hp/450hp

SS

450hp/480hp

A TOYOTA GROUP COMPANY

HMS07159/PT

Overseas model shown

Hino's tenth successive win in the gruelling Dakar Rally has served as an inspiration, and also as a launching pad for the new decade.

Every year, TV brings us daily coverage from the Dakar (now held in South America), and it was a joy to watch Hino’s driver Teruhito Sugawara blast his standard Hino 500 Series through impossible conditions to under-10 litre category victory.

This year's Dakar was the toughest on record. Only 29 of 51 truck entries were able to finish.

In a way the determination Sugawara-san displayed sums up the last 12 months and the year ahead.

For many people 2009 was a year of survival. But for just about everybody 2010 is going to be a year of confidently moving forward.

The signs are already there. Major companies are reporting better than expected first half results, and significantly are openly anticipating much stronger full year profits.

The Federal Government's 2009 business investment program has ensured many businesses are locked and loaded with new equipment – and most importantly are primed to use it.

The 2009 additional tax breaks from the government have brought many businesses back into the capital investment cycle after a period of falling behind.

Hino's conversations with its customers, and our formal research, both point to a determination to move forward, perhaps in a more orderly and disciplined manner than before.

The past year has sharpened people’s perspective.

In terms of product delivery, the virtues of quality and value

for money will never be more sought after than in this and coming years. Now is not the time for wholesale change, but for determined incremental improvements which are valued by their users.

Hino is approaching 2010 in exactly that way.

The Melbourne Truck Show will outline much of our planning. Automatic transmission is a big part of the story – especially in selected application vehicles. We are pleased to announce that Hino’s new 614 automatic dump, Australia’s first fully automatic light-duty dump truck, will be officially launched at the show.

Safety is another critical item. OH&S is a big driver.

In fact, as many large companies now require safety certification in specific areas, that requirement has become universal.

Later in 2010, Hino will announce the availability of the new Euro 5 emission standards across our complete range of trucks and buses. But there also needs to be an eye to the future.

Both in Japan and Australia, Hino is committed to the development of alternative power delivery.

Hybrid is the way of the future – and we are well advanced in preparing for it.

Our goal in 2010 is to pave the way, ensuring all stakeholders – including government, fleets and our private customers – better understand the wave of change that is sweeping towards us.

Steve Lotter President Hino Motor Sales Australia

Torque Torque | 3 | 3

KTM HITS THE ROAD WITH HINO An emerging motorcycle brand has commissioned a new Hino 500 truck as part of its road-bike marketing strategy.

Perth-based KTM Australia will use the six-tonne payload X Long wheelbase Hino FD 1027 Air to display on-road and off-road machines to its national network of 60 dealers.

The new Hino truck has airbag rear suspension and a purposedesigned body finished in KTM's orange-and-black livery.

KTM Australia general manager Jeff Leisk said the new FD 1027 Air is the company’s first Hino.

“We knew Hino’s reputation for performance and reliability, and the

airbag suspension is important with the machines we’re carrying,” he said.

“The marketing strategy for road bikes is to display the machines – as well as the off-road bikes – to our dealers, and to support our new Superbike racing program with Shannon Johnson competing in the Australian Superbike Championship.”

KTM, based in Austria, has traditionally been strong in off-road machines but has a growing presence in the road-bike market.

300 SERIES TANKER SHOWCASED ON ABC A prototype fire truck developed by Hino and Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) was recently showcased on a fire fighting-themed special episode of ABC1’s popular program The New Inventors.

Developed around a Hino 300 Series crew cab, the Light Concept Tanker was presented as an example of cutting-edge fire truck occupant safety and automated fire fighting systems.

The Light Concept Tanker

appeared on the 3 February episode, accompanied by CFA fleet services engineer and manager Robert Rankin who is credited with inventing the design.

The prototype was developed to allow crews into areas that cannot be accessed by heavy trucks, while also protecting them from exposure to flare-ups in high-intensity fires.

It is fitted with an automated fire fighting system so CFA members can

The CFA’s Robert Rankin showcased the Hino prototype tanker’s credentials on ABC1’s The New Inventors program

4 | Torque

fight fires from inside the cabin of the truck while it is moving. Cabin sprinkler systems and fire curtains protect crews inside the cabin.

The 300 Series Light Concept Tanker was put through a simulated bushfire using flamethrowers at a special CSIRO facility at Mogo in

southern New South Wales.

The tanker appeared in its partially-burnt state on The New Inventors to highlight the effectiveness of the various technologies.

Photographs on this article are courtesy of The New Inventors and ABC.

HINO SUPPORTS CAMP QUALITY Illawarra Hino threw its support behind children’s family cancer charity Camp Quality last November by supplying two trucks and sponsorship support for the group’s annual Convoy for Kids charity day.

The convoy, supported by local radio station i98 FM, attracted a record 718 trucks and 502 motorcycles and raised more than $300,000 for Camp Quality Illawarra.

Illawarra Hino staff members took part in the convoy, driving a 500 Series and a 300 Series dump and following the 70-kilometre route from West Cliff Colliery at Appin to the Croome Road Sporting Complex in Illawarra.

Convoy participants then joined

5000 people for a free Family Fun Day hosted by i98 FM that featured rides, truck industry trade stalls and a concert involving popular artist Vanessa Amorosi.

Illawarra Hino dealer principal Bob Norman said he was proud to support the popular community event, which has grown each year since it was first run in 2005.

The convoy has raised $939,000 since it began in 2005. All proceeds go directly to help Camp Quality Illawarra brighten the lives of children affected by cancer.

Illawarra Hino plans to expand its participation in this year’s event and to conduct fundraising events to raise even more funding for Camp Quality.

FRM GOES GOLD IN DELORAINE

Hino showed its support for the Tasmanian transport industry at the recent Deloraine Truck Show where state-wide-based dealership FRM Hino displayed a range of trucks and acted as a Gold sponsor.

Run by the Lions Club of Deloraine, the January show is in its seventh year and showcases displays from manufacturers, owners and drivers alike.

Based in Deloraine 50 kilometres west of Launceston, the 2010 edition of the show marked the first time FRM Hino had sponsored the expanding event.

FRM’s display contained a 700 Series, two 500 Series and a 300 Series Trade Ace, along with other Toyota Group products including a Toyota forklift and Huski Skidsteer.

FRM Hino’s regional sales manager

Andrew Spencer, a long-standing supporter of the show, was pleased FRM had become a Gold sponsor.

“There would only have been about 100 people at the first Deloraine show, but it has grown substantially and it now attracts up to one thosand people each year – which is great for a one-day event,” Mr Spencer said.

“The trucking community around Deloraine really takes pride in their vehicles. The show offers trophies in a number of categories, including Best Presented, so owners have a real incentive to become involved.”

Mr Spencer said the 700 Series on display received particularly strong attention. The show also provided an opportunity for potential customers to better understand the benefits of FRM’s state-wide dealer network with their branches in Launceston, Hobart and Devonport.

LISMORE DEALERSHIP OPENS Hino Australia added another dealership to its growing number around the country when leading dealer Vanderfield Hino opened a new franchise in the northern New South Wales town of Lismore.

Vanderfield Hino Lismore is a full service dealership which sells Hino’s complete range of light, medium and heavy duty trucks under the leadership of new dealer principal and branch sales manager Steve Halliday.

The new dealership will also sell Hino genuine spare parts and accessories.

Vanderfield Hino Lismore is steadily building up its service business, with a new workshop scheduled to open at the end of March to cope with the demand.

The new Lismore branch is Vanderfield’s fourth, joining existing sites in Toowoomba, Darwin and the Gold Coast.

“Hino’s reputation for making very good quality trucks that are extremely reliable will be crucial to our success in the Lismore area,” said Vanderfield group of companies managing director Bruce Vandersee.

Steve Halliday and staff will bring the Vanderfield name to Lismore

HINO’S CALL TO ACTION Hino’s two Melbourne dealerships recently joined forces for Trucks in Action, a biennial road transport expo that claims to be the only truck demonstration show in the southern hemisphere.

CMI Hino and Prestige Hino flew the Hino flag during the 19-21 February show in Warragul, south east of Melbourne. Show patrons had the chance to test fully-loaded machinery on one of the expo’s two nine-kilometrelong test routes.

Potential customers took the opportunity to drive selected rigid trucks – an ideal opportunity to compare the performance of competing models in the local marketplace.

Hino’s stand carried a number of trucks from the company’s product range and also included special ‘ShowOnly’ deals on models such as the 616 TradeAce and the popular FC 1018 Long.

“Trucks in Action always represents a great opportunity for us to meet with our customers,” said CMI Hino branch manager Mark Dempsey.

“Apart from selling the trucks we had on display at the show, we also picked up some valuable sales leads.”

Trucks in Action also showcased a range of trailers and components, while a historic truck display featured more than 130 trucks to highlight the important role road transport has played in Australia’s development.

Torque | 5

Tradies turn

‘truckies’

with 614 auto dump

Any tradesman can now add ‘truck driver’ to their job description following the launch of Australia’s first fully automatic light duty dump truck – the Hino 300 Series 614 Automatic Dump.

The 614 Automatic Dump has a 5500kg (approximately 2.7 tonnes payload) GVM rating. It is also offered with a 4495kg (approximately 1.7 tonnes payload) rating, making it particularly suitable for landscapers, pool builders, rental companies, builders, plumbers and tradespersons, because drivers with a current manual or automatic car licence can drive the lighter version.

The Built to Go Hino 614 Automatic Dump has a narrow cab, a 100kW engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The learning characteristics of the intelligent six-speed automatic transmission can comfortably adapt to the driving style of the driver.

6 | Torque

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.

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, reducing engine and drivetrain load and offering savings in fuel consumption.

Safety equipment includes a driver’s SRS airbag and ABS brakes with

electronic brake force distribution (EBD) as standard equipment.

The Hino 614 Auto Dump’s ADR 80/02-compliant 4.0-litre turbocharged and intercooled direct-injection engine delivers 100kW of power at 2700rpm and 358Nm of torque at 1800rpm.

Power and torque ratings are measured in ISO net.

In addition, the 614 Auto Dump has air conditioning.

APEC leaders drive Hino hybrid

Hino has presented its world-leading safety and enviro technologies to transport ministers and leaders from across Asia-Pacific at an event hosted by Linfox founder Lindsay Fox in Victoria.

Representatives of APEC – the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation – were given the opportunity to drive the Hino Hybrid 500 Series evaluation vehicle at the Australian Automotive Research Centre at Angelsea, Victoria, which is owned by Mr Fox’s Linfox transport group.

The Country Fire Authority of Victoria also provided four Hino fire trucks for industry representatives to inspect and ride. Hino Hybrid 300 Series light-duty truck was also on display.

Both the Hybrid 300 Series and Hybrid 500 Series attracted a great deal of interest, just as they did at last year’s Safety and Productivity Drive Day run by the Victorian Transport Association, which was attended by government and fleet buyers.

APEC member countries account for 40 per cent of the world’s population and more than half of world GDP, making it a vital global economic and trade forum.

The Angelsea drive program was part of a program for visiting APEC transport ministers and officials from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC).

Mr Fox said the event provided a regional showcase for the latest safety and environmental technologies available to the heavy vehicle industry.

“Today’s event showcased emergency braking system simulations, hybrid heavy vehicle technologies, lane departure warning system simulations and real-time operation of GPS tracking systems,” Mr Fox said.

“Linfox has long embraced the use of new and emerging technologies for heavy vehicles. The next stage in the battle against vehicle accidents can only be won with the use and adaptation of these technologies, both locally and across the Asia-Pacific.”

Hino is the recognised leader in hybrid trucks – and Mr Fox said that he sees this technology as a major breakthrough for the heavy vehicle sector.

“Linfox has already made significant reductions in its rate of greenhouse gas emissions, with a cut of 28 per cent since 2007, and today’s showcase recognises the actions by Australian industry and jurisdictions in embracing new and emerging heavy vehicle technologies.

“We must collectively encourage and support our neighbouring countries in further examining these technologies and delivering safer and better environmental outcomes for their economies.”

As well as being one of three Australian delegates to ABAC, Mr Fox leads an ABAC project seeking to deliver greater engagement between APEC economies on transport reform.

APEC delegates drove Hino's Hybrid 300 Series

The project identifies practical and regulatory hurdles to improve the flow of goods between economies and to encourage the fast-tracking of new and emerging safety and environmental technologies for heavy vehicles.

Hino product planner Daniel Petrovski said that Australian customers have already embraced Hino’s hybrid technology, despite the economic downturn, with sales of the Hybrid 300 Series increasing each year.

“Our Hybrid 300 Series is proving popular as it is the perfect way for all customers to stand behind their green policies and cut their emissions,” said Mr Petrovski.

“Hino’s Hybrid 300 Series 714 provides potential fuel savings and less emissions compared with a similar-sized conventional diesel truck.”

Hino's Hybrid 500 Series evaluation vehicle

Lindsay Fox arranged the test day

CFA fire trucks took to the course Torque | 7

A

HIST RYOF

INNOVATION

Innovation and the pursuit of new and better ways of doing things have been hallmarks of the Hino brand since its inception.

Strawberries are hardly what you would expect Hino to use as a serious truck development tool.

However, Hino technicians at the company’s Technical Research Centre in Japan regularly make use of the popular red vegetable – and technically it is a vegetable.

They use strawberries, one of the easiest damaged veges, to calculate how vibrations caused by normal transportation can potentially damage them.

Data gained from this research allow new technologies to be developed to reduce cargo damage, whether it is for transporting fruit, fridges or fashion.

The choice of something as delicate as strawberries highlights the extent to which Hino is willing to go to not only develop the best vehicles possible, but the innovative techniques it uses to gain these results.

Hino has been synonymous 8 | Torque

with innovation ever since the first incarnation of the company appeared 100 years ago.

In its first few decades, Hino launched Japan’s first trolley bus, manufactured aircraft, and built cars for overseas manufacturers so that it could better understand production methods.

In doing so, Hino became an early adopter of the practice of developing a global production base built on a mass production system – with a notable twist.

Rather than simply producing the largest number of vehicles possible, as was the unrefined style of the time, Hino’s production concentrated on eliminating waste, inconsistency and overburden and followed the ‘Just in Time’ inventory system – whereby only the required amount of inventory is stored, eliminating waste and clutter.

Hino still uses this production system because it strives for continuous

Hino fire trucks have stood the test of time

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower” – Steve Jobs, Apple CEO

Hino is renowned for it's versatility and durability (above and right)

improvement (know as “kaizen” in Japanese).

In recent times Hino has collaborated on developing innovative concepts, including a breathalyser that locks a vehicle’s ignition if a positive reading is recorded.

Perhaps the greatest result of its collaboration is the design, development and implementation of hybrid technology in commercially available trucks, cars and buses.

Central to Hino’s history of innovation is a desire to not just innovate for innovation’s sake, but to introduce new technologies that actually benefit consumers.

“No matter how revolutionary a technology is, it won’t mean a thing unless customers feel they need it and can buy it,” said Hino senior managing director Toshiki Inoue.

“Genuine state-of-the-art technologies are those that become

popularised. This is what we have set our sights on at Hino.”

Mr Inoue also heads up Hino’s Technical Research Centre where innovation has been largely geared towards the environment and safety.

technology is currently available only on heavy-duty trucks in the Japanese market, it was developed in line with Mr Inoue’s mantra.

He sees the pre-crash system – along with the launch of a world-first

“ No matter how revolutionary a technology is, it won’t mean a thing unless customers feel they need it and can buy it” The centre has developed a precrash safety system which automatically applies the brakes to reduce collision speed if the truck’s onboard computer determines that a crash cannot be avoided. Hino was first to commercialise this technology in trucks, and while the

Exhaust Gas Recirculation technology for reducing NOx (nitrogen oxides) emissions on heavy-duty trucks – as central to why Hino innovates.

“These latest Hino technologies which address the issues of safety and environmental friendliness have been

realised based on our customers’ needs.

As a result, these technologies are being praised highly by our customers,” Mr Inoue said.

Hino’s customer-first mindset is central in everything the company does.

Technical Research Centre vehicle research department head, Hidehiko Enomoto, explained the role the customer plays in developing innovative technologies.

“Our objective is to discover technological seeds that serve as compasses for our technological roadmap,” said Mr Enomoto. “To this end, we must first have an in-depth understanding of what our customers want, and uncover the seeds of customer needs.”

Hybrid technology has been central not only to responding to customers’ needs, but also to a greater global desire to integrate environmentally sustainable technology into all areas of life.

Torque | 9

Hino Powers On

Hino in trodu

ced hy brid

technology

to the he av y

Since launching a diesel-electric bus in 1991, Hino has been the world leader in commercial vehicle hybrid technology. However, Hino was developing hybrid technology long before it came to market.

The company developed a hybrid system as early as 1976, in which motors were driven by electricity that was generated by the engine. By 1981, Hino adopted the parallel hybrid system which turned kinetic energy lost during deceleration into electricity that could be stored and used later during start-up and acceleration.

These early developments led to the diesel-electric bus. The innovations were the basis from which Hino developed the hybrid system for its Hybrid 300 Series – the world’s first light-duty hybrid truck that went on sale in 2003.

The success of the Hybrid 300 Series, which is now available in Hong Kong, Japan and Australia, has led Hino to develop a Hybrid 500 Series medium - duty hybrid truck. The company is now assessing other commercial applications for the technology.

“Our challenge is to find ways of sorting and utilising energy,” said Hino Hybrid vehicle chief engineer Koichi Yamaguchi.

“In addition to improving the efficiency of our power storage systems, implementation of these storage systems requires innovative technologies. For example, we will need systems that are capable of ‘learning’ power consumption patterns – based on calculated forecasts of the amounts of power used for propulsion and running onboard equipment. Our task will be to pursue technological solutions 10 | Torque Torque

vehicle indu

st ry

for applications that are unique to commercial vehicles.”

Hino’s environmental focus has centred heavily on the performance of its vehicles – because although a hybrid system may reduce emissions and save on fuel, the way a truck or bus handles on the road can also contribute to ecological and economical savings.

Hino designers factor-in accelerating resistance, rolling resistance and air resistance when designing a new truck or bus. All three play a key role in determining how efficiently the vehicle performs on the road.

The 700 Series heavy-duty truck has an engine that complies with world leading emission standards. To achieve the best possible overall fuel efficiency, Hino engineers spent eight years reaching the drag coefficient that senior management demanded.

Hino directors insisted its engineers take every step possible to ensure the best efficiency possible. After wind tunnel testing with 1:5 and 2:5 scale models in Japan, a full-size 1:1 model was tested in Holland using a chassis from Japan and a cab from Italy.

In 2006, Hino took the unprecedented step of purchasing a truck from one of its Japanese customers. The company did so because the truck in question had clocked up 2,735,989 kilometres in just 14 years of use, providing engineers with invaluable insight into how its product copes with the rigours of so many kilometres.

The truck was still working. It’s a strong example that Hino does not forsake quality, durability or reliability – even though it has a long history and strong focus on innovation.

Hino has always ensured its level of quality has not been compromised by its continual push for innovation and the development of new technology.

This has been reaffirmed by Hino’s performance in the latest edition of JD Power and Associates’ Medium-Duty Truck Engine and Transmission Customer Satisfaction Study, where the company ranked highest for the second straight year.

Hino outperformed its competitors, particularly in terms of engine quality and cost of ownership, reinforcing the results of last year's American study.

The highly respected JD Power survey measured customer perceptions of 2007 model-year medium-duty trucks to provide a comprehensive and objective measure of customer satisfaction and related dealer service.

It focused on four factors to determine the overall satisfaction-level of customers: engine warranty, quality, performance, and cost of ownership.

Hino trucks continued to perform well across these categories, particularly with regard to quality, according to the survey.

"With business owners trying to minimise operating costs in these tough economic circumstances, reducing the cost of ownership – especially fuel bills – is top of mind," Hino Australia president Steve Lotter said.

"As we move into the future, Hino continues to develop new technologies that meet and exceed both environmental and customer needs."

Hino is now developing hy brid tech for medium nology and he av y du ty trucks

500 and 700 Series get safer All new Hino 500 and 700 Series trucks will benefit from additional safety features, as Hino Australia continues to update and improve its range for 2010, making them safer for both drivers and other road users.

Hino ahead in safety Hino Australia has released a Front Underrun Protection System (FUPS) for 500 Series FG, GH, FL and FM models to improve safety for road users in the event of collision.

The FUPS unit – available as a Hino Genuine part – precedes the Federal Government’s 2011 compulsory implementation date for these systems.

The FUPS is fitted as a bumper bar replacement, which incorporates a steel tube to prevent other vehicles becoming trapped and crushed under the front of the truck.

The protection system also helps prevent damage to Hino’s steering controls, allowing the truck to be brought safely to a controlled stop.

When fitted, the front axle loading increases to 6.5 tonnes and the vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Mass is increased by half a tonne.

The FUPS is available from, and can be fitted at, all Hino dealers, and a FUPS integrated Hino Genuine bull bar is also available.

Certifiably strong Hino 500 Series single cab FG, GH, FL and FM models and 700 Series FS and SS models now comply with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Regulation 29 (UN ECE R29) for cabin strength.

The ECE R29 prescribes safety standards for protecting occupants of commercial vehicles. The Hino 700 and 500 Series trucks were subjected to a

series of load and impact crash tests for cabin strength and construction.

The goal was to ensure a ‘survival space’ in the cab for occupants in the event of a crash where the cabin is put under pressure. A stronger cabin provides additional safety for occupants.

Each Hino vehicle complying with ECE R29 will have a plate verifying certification.

Driver safety All new 500 Series trucks from 2010 will feature a driver SRS airbag as standard. This is already a standard feature across the popular 300 Series.

Truck-driver safety is a primary consideration for Hino, and additional safety equipment such as airbags

helps Hino provide peace of mind for drivers on the road.

Upon impact from a collision, the airbag deploys from the steering wheel, reducing the chance of the driver sustaining significant injury.

A clearer view All new 500 and 700 Series trucks will have heated and electric main mirrors, plus heated spotter mirrors on both sides of the cab.

The heated mirrors are manually operated with a switch near the driver which cleans fog and moisture to provide clearer vision.

Electric adjustment of main mirrors allows drivers to remain safely in their seats when modifying their rear view.

Torque | 11

Hino’s hands-on approach to hybrid development Even with technology as advanced as the Hino Hybrid engine, there is always opportunity for improvement – this was the premise on which a Japanese survey team ventured Down Under.

Hino Australia recently hosted a specialist team of engineers from Hino Motors Ltd who visited Australia on a data-gathering mission for the Hybrid 300 Series truck.

The engineers spent two weeks investigating all aspects of hybrid usage during actual daily transportation and goods deliveries in major Australian cities.

The Japanese engineers catalogued data while following Hino Hybrids – owned by a range of businesses and local governments – during a normal day in city and urban delivery settings in Sydney and Brisbane.

The vehicles were fitted with GPS recording units that logged speeds, number of stops and starts, inclines and topography of operation, to consider the applications and suitability for hybrid use.

The visitors then discussed with Hino Hybrid customers the operational

expectations, merits, benefits and challenges of purchasing a hybrid truck.

undulating roads,” Mr Uchida said. “Of course, in Japan there are hills too, but

“ The data collected helps in the development of the nextgeneration trucks specifically for Australian conditions.”

Hino Motors Ltd. hybrid vehicle division product planning manager, Masafumi Uchida, said the data collected on the tour would help develop the next-generation of hybrid trucks specifically for Australian conditions.

"Australian urban areas have many

the cities are quite flat.

"We have to consider engine exertion and overall operation in other countries, because the vehicle was developed in Japan to suit that market.”

Mr Uchida noted that Australian drivers add another dynamic to vehicle

operation. “The Australian driving style is different to those of Japanese drivers – which is something to think about during development for the next generation of this truck," he said.

Hino Australia product planning representative, Daniel Petrovski, said study tours form an essential R&D activity for Hino.

"Hybrid is a major component of Hino's global light-duty truck plan,” Mr Petrovski said. “The company is constantly investigating and developing vehicles for global markets, to improve where needed and adapt to real-life operating conditions.

"The goal of the study tour is to investigate – under the mantra of genchi genbutsu (a Japanese phrase for "go to the source") – and come to understand the operating demands, conditions and expectations of the vehicles in real-life scenarios outside Japan."

Hino's Hybrid Survey Team use data gathered in Australia to further develop future hybrid vehicles 12 | Torque

TNT has shown is commitment to green transport by doubling its fleet of Hino Hybrid 300 Series

hybrid Adoption On the increase Hino Australia says businesses are becoming increasingly convinced of the economic and environmental benefits delivered by hybridpowered Hino trucks.

Divisional manager, product strategy and development, Alex Stewart, says that early adopters of the technology are now beginning to increase their hybrid truck uptake.

“It’s not unusual for traditional customers to be initially cautious of new technology. However, having launched Australia’s first hybrid truck in 2007, we are finding that our first customers have now had sufficient time to thoroughly evaluate our vehicles and are increasing their unit orders,” says Mr Stewart.

A case in point is TNT Express Australia, which recently added 10 new hybrid trucks to its fleet. These now accompany the 10 TNT initially purchased in early 2008, making it Australia’s first company to operate a hybrid truck fleet.

TNT regional director Rod Barnes says the latest Hino Hybrids were adopted to increase the company’s environmental sustainability.

“As a transport company we are very conscious of the footprint we

create when we deliver freight,” Mr Barnes says. “With each Hino Hybrid reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1600 kilograms of CO2 a year, hybrid adoption is a very important factor in TNT achieving its green KPIs. “The adoption of hybrid trucks has not only helped reduce our company’s carbon footprint, it has also injected a sense of pride into our workforce. Our employees are happy because they are recording significant fuel savings.”

Mr Stewart says the transport industry’s emphasis on being green has grown enormously in the last two years. “The Australian transport industry is keenly aware of the importance of managing fuel costs, and environmental impact reduction strategies are set to play an increasingly important role," he said.

“In a climate of ever more stringent Global and European Emission Standards and imminent emissions trading legislation, Hino Hybrid vehicles are highly visible examples of our customers’ environmental commitments.”

Government agencies are also making the move to hybrid, Mr Stewart says. Hino has collaborated with the

Victorian Transport Association (VTA) to educate government buyers about hybrid technology benefits.

Twelve councils Australia-wide have already adopted Hino Hybrids and Hino expects that number to increase.

The City of Greater Geelong recently introduced its first hybrid truck, a Hino Hybrid 300 Series. The Council’s Environment and Sustainability portfolio holder Cr John Doull says the hybrid will deliver significant savings in fuel consumption and help reduce pollution.

“We anticipate the hybrid will use 20 per cent less fuel and produce 90 per cent less particulate matter pollution than a diesel-only equivalent,” says Cr Doull.

Used by the City’s Parks Maintenance Unit, the truck is fitted with a three-way tipper body. “The crew report that the truck has a lot of torque, making it ideal for its purpose.

“A point of difference between it and a diesel-only truck is that the hybrid achieves further emissions and fuel savings through Hino’s Idle Stop technology. The diesel engine switches itself off when the vehicle is stationary in heavy traffic – it’s ideal for stop/ start urban-type driving.”

“ The adoption of hybrid trucks has not only helped reduce our company’s carbon footprint, it has also injected a sense of pride into our workforce.”

Torque | 13

Hino technicians and engineers spend three weeks every January in sunny South America, but their trip is anything but a holiday. Torque takes a look at the world’s most extreme truck testing.

It’s not an unusual sight to see five Japanese mechanics working on a Hino 500 Series. In fact, it’s a scene that highlights the company’s unwavering support to its ‘customerfirst’ mentality.

However, rather than finding themselves in a pristine, airconditioned service centre, the five are beavering away in the middle of Chile’s Atacama Desert – a place where NASA researchers recorded just 2mm of rain once in a five-year period late last century.

It’s well past midnight and the five dedicated mechanics, after battling the heat of the world’s driest place during 14 | Torque

the day, are now dealing with the near-freezing desert night, all the time working to maintain two 7000-kilogram trucks that have spent the last 12 hours racing across sand dunes as tall as many office buildings.

This scene played itself out night after night for 16 days during the 2010 Dakar rally-raid endurance race – arguably the toughest motorsport event in the world.

Hino has entered and successfully finished the Dakar an incredible 19 consecutive times since it first competed in the event in 1991.

Formerly held in Europe and northern Africa (where it was known as

Paris-Dakar), the now South Americanbased event demands trucks, cars, buggies and motorbikes race a loop nearly 9000-kilometres-long across Argentina and Chile.

Hino is a former outright winner of the Camion (truck) division and currently competes in the under 10-litre category in which the team’s two factory-backed 500 Series trucks have been dubbed the ‘Little Monsters’ alongside their far larger and (monstersized) competitors.

Apart from the competitive edge that Hino Team Sugawara (the name of the Hino Motors Ltd squad) gains from racing in the Dakar, Hino views the

race as the most comprehensive (and brutal) research and development test-bed possible.

Because the Little Monsters race in the production category, they start life as a normal 500 Series four-wheeldrive truck anyone can buy from Hino dealerships worldwide.

Modifications are made to the suspension and to improve weight distribution, but the trucks use a production-based Hino J08C-TI engine commonly found in standard road-going variants of the 500 Series.

By racing a production-derived truck in what can only be described as the most brutal test of any vehicle,

500 + 19 = Victory!

Hino’s engineers and technicians use the Dakar to learn, and to develop new and better products.

Quality, durability and reliability are not only hallmarks of the Hino brand, they are the backbone of competing in and winning the Dakar.

Hino competes in motorsport to better understand and improve its product so it can pass on the benefits to its customers in the way of an improved, stronger and more reliable product.

The link between racing and enhancing the brand and product experience of its customers is perhaps best explained by former Hino Team

Sugawara mechanics Kei Sato and Tsuguo Kameda, who now both work for Hino Japan’s overseas parts and service division.

“Even if the truck breaks down or you don’t have any parts, you have to get the truck moving,” Sato explains of racing the Dakar.

Kameda agrees.

“I’m responsible for technical instructions for trainers who come to our training centre from around the world,” he says. “What I always stress is that if a commercial truck is out of commission for even a day, that would represent a loss for the business.

“One of the most important things

Hino claimed double success in the 2010 Dakar when Team Hino Sugawara claimed both the under 10-litre class and the production category of the truck division in the world’s big gest rally-raid event.

Driver Teruhito Sugawara and navigator Seiichi Suzuki led the Hino charge in their modified 500 Series truck, beating home a number of opponents in larg er, more powerful trucks.

Sugawara was pleased to rea ch the finish in testing conditions tha t saw competitors battle rain and inte nse heat in regions as extreme as the Andes and Chile's Atacama Desert.

The result marked the 19th, consecutive year a Hino factory 500 Series has completed arguab ly the toughest motorsport event in the world.

Lead driver and Teruhito’s fath er, Yoshimasa Sugawara, was forc ed out of the event during Stage 10 in what was his record-setting 27th-s traight Dakar appearance.

The 68-year-old was running second in class behind his son Teruhito when an exhaust system pro blem ended his race.

Although the team quickly rep aired the problem and the veteran completed the remaining four stages, he was not included in the overall results due to missing mandatory timing poin ts when dealing with his Stage 10 issu e.

Sugawara senior and the tea m's mechanics believed the 2010 edition of the race was far tougher tha n many of the early Dakar rally-raids in Africa – a comment echoed by many other experienced competitors.

Only 29 of the 51 trucks that started the race completed the 9000km route that started and finishe d in Argentina's capital, Buenos Aires.

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Behind the Bivouac

“ The passion on the part of these mechanics to enhance their skills, has resulted in the emergence of ‘super mechanics’ in the true sense of the word.”

is to do whatever you can – even stopgap measures if need be – so that the truck is not rendered inoperable even for a day and the customer can continue business. It’s the same thing that we do at the Dakar rally.”

Sato and Kameda have both taken their Dakar experiences and applied them to Hino’s core business, a process that occurs every year with each 16 | Torque

group of Hino Team Sugawara Dakar mechanics who are sourced from Hino’s dealer network.

A large number of applicants from Hino service centres across Japan apply for a role on the Dakar service crew so they can move from being a normal technician to a ‘super mechanic’ as labelled by Hino senior managing director Tsunehijo Fujii.

Mr Fujii believes experiences learned on the Dakar have a wide-reaching effect across the whole of the company.

“How do we increase Hino’s potential in the area of technological development? We wanted our engineers to experience these challenges. None of the technological innovations that are required of trucks – from emissions regulations compliance to the development of hybrid drive trains – can be realised unless we take on these challenges.

“Only a handful of mechanics are able to take part in the Dakar. Each

year, we screen many applicants. This desire to take part in the Dakar, and the passion on the part of these mechanics to enhance their skills, has resulted in the emergence of ‘super mechanics’ in the true sense of the word.”

The important training these mechanics receive as part of Hino’s Dakar program benefits every Hino customer around the world. The methods they learn and the things they experience are passed on to colleagues when they return to their dealerships.

Some of these mechanics, such as Tsuguo Kameda, take what they have learned back into a global training role, and in doing so pass important information to Hino affiliates worldwide.

So next time you get your Hino serviced, just spare a thought for the Dakar mechanics toiling away in the desert. The lessons they learn in the most extreme conditions possible help make your Hino the best truck available.

Hino Team Sugawara has a dedicated support team in place, including five specialist mechanics who are tasked with keeping the team’s two 500 Series race trucks operating at their best across the 9000 kilometres of the Dakar.

As part of the bivouac – the giant mobile town that greets h competitors at the end of eac st mu day – Hino’s support crew h eac be on hand at the end of the stage to maintain and repair t nex race trucks ready for the day of racing.

Because the bivouac location is often reachable only by taking the same route as the competition vehicles, the crew must use vehicles that are up to tackling the Dakar’s brutal course.

Hino Team Sugawara’s support crew use speciallymodified 700 Series service rs trucks and Toyota LandCrusie ugh eno that are equipped with uild spare parts to completely reb the team’s two trucks.

Turning out t p technicians

Judges watch on during Hino’s annual National Skills Contest

Hino Australia’s continuing investment in its Technical Training Centre will ensure Hino service technicians remain among the country’s most qualified and capable.

Hino Service Technicians from dealerships across the country attend the Technical Training Centre in Sydney to receive basic and advanced training for all models in the Hino range.

The addition of an exhaust extraction system in the Training Centre workshop is the most recent example of Hino’s commitment to provide real-world servicing situations for technicians. The exhaust extraction now allows service technicians to safely run truck engines for extended periods while conducting engine system diagnostic checks.

Since Hino launched its Dealership Network Technical Training Program in 2007, over 320 service technicians have spent a combined 6400 hours honing their skills in the Training Centre.

Hino further contributes to the program’s success by subsidising service technician training costs for dealerships. Hino’s research indicates that Hino’s Technical Centre training is more affordable than similar training conducted by OEM competitors who do not use the same shared cost model.

Hino invested over $300,000 in upgrading Training Centre facilities and equipment in 2008, including refurbishment, tools, diagnostic

equipment and computers.

2008 also saw the introduction of Hino Australia’s National Skills Contest, held over three days at the Training Centre. Service technicians from dealerships around the country used their diagnostic and mechanical skills to address real-world service situations.

The top three contestants went on to compete in (and win) the Diagnostic category of Hino’s 37th International Service Technical Contest held in Japan.

It was Hino Australia’s first entry in the international competition.

Hino technical trainer Sergio Bonvini, who fronts the Technical Training Centre, said the National Skills Contest has also helped develop understanding of future training needs by identifying participants’ key strengths and limitations.

Mr Bonvini said that the 2010 program would place Hino at the forefront of commercial vehicle industry training. "We think it sets the precedent in terms of what a well organised and well patronised service training centre should be. Our feedback from participating service technicians and dealerships backs this up," he said.

“Dealers should remember that the ultimate goal of the training is to provide better customer service through increased workshop efficiency.

Ultimately, it will create less downtime for dealers and their customers."

The Dealership Network Technical Training Program was initially spawned by the need to train technicians in all aspects of the advanced electrical and electronic systems, including Hino Hybrid 300 Series. Hino has since invested thousands of hours in developing training modules for the program.

Core components will be offered repeatedly throughout 2010 and will include engine diagnostics, automotive electrical and electronics, hybrid systems, and transmissions.

Mr Bonvini will soon travel to Japan to develop training on a new Euro 5-accredited 300 Series and also a 700 Series SS1E ZF Tronic transmission.

In consultation with dealers, these modules will be subsequently incorporated into course design.

Training is based on a four-step approach: easy delivery method, on-thejob training, group activities and group discussions.

Mr Bonvini says the program has been tailored to focus on adult learning principles, which reflect technical skills variations and take into account the complexity of vehicle systems.

A module for new technicians is also being developed.

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AIR

HINO

As Hino’s regional service manager responsible for the vast expanses of Queensland and Northern Territory, Ben Chamberlin often goes to extreme lengths with Hino's dealers to look after the needs of Hino’s customers.

(L-R) Terry Fowler and Ben Chamberlin with the Cessna 172 they used to visit remote customers.

The swathe of territory Ben Chamberlin covers is not for the faint-hearted. It’s surrounded by reef and red dirt and spreads itself over 3.2 million square kilometres.

So to provide prompt service to Hino’s Northern (Queensland) region customers, he needs to venture far and wide, and ‘think on his feet’ on the road.

He travels regularly through North and Central Queensland – places like Bowen, Ayr, Mt Isa, Emerald, Blackwater, Clermont, Theodore, Gladstone, Tambo, Blackall, Charleville, Roma and Goondiwindi – answering customers’ queries about their Hinos and getting some valuable first-hand feedback in return.

He visits local councils, cattle stations, crop farmers and a tonne of small business owners.

Recently, Ben teamed up with the 18 | Torque

Vanderfield Hino Toowoomba service manager Terry Fowler and Peter Lindsay in Vanderfield’s Cessna 172 on a three-day round trip flying over 2500 kilometres.

Hino’s flying doctors set off to deal with a range of customers in remote areas who needed assistance with their trucks, and also to discuss performance and other Hino product-related topics one-on-one in the field.

The Japanese call this approach genchi genbutsu, or “go to the source”, and it is a vital part of Hino’s philosophy in understanding customer needs.

“This kind of long-range service is very helpful for Hino owners living and working in remote areas of the country, and they’re always happy to talk about their Hino experiences,” Ben says.

“There’s a long-established and loyal customer base out there communicating via the bush telegraph,

Hino brings new meaning to 'roadside' assistance

and a little from us goes a long way.

“These trucks are pretty tough, and are subjected to rough conditions, highlighting the reliability Hino is renowned for.”

Advanced diagnostic equipment combined with top quality technical training helps Hino technicians identify and solve operational problems even in far-flung places.

“We use a software program called DX (Diagnostic Explorer), which logs fault codes and can retrieve live running data from the truck, letting us diagnose issues such as cooling and engine performance,” Ben says.

“It also helps us diagnose a multitude of other engine and transmission-related faults that may occur in modern advanced engine management systems.

“I recall an instance where, accompanied by a Japanese colleague

working on an isolated cattle station near Julia Creek, approximately 300 kilometres east of Mt Isa, we uploaded live data to colleagues in Sydney and Japan via a secure weblink to diagnose a fuel-related issue.

“It’s amazing what’s possible when you’re there under pressure and have to find a solution. It makes the whole process so satisfying.”

Hino continually demonstrates a willingness to do what it takes to ensure ongoing product quality and deliver exceptional service, even in the most remote areas.

“It may seem extreme to travel by small plane, but really it’s less the form of the transport and more the mindset behind the travel that makes Hino service stand out,” Ben says.

“Each time we help a customer, it’s been well worth the visit in Hino’s book – even by air.”

NEW SOUTH WALES

QUEENSLAND

Albion Park Rail Illawarra Hino ���������������(02) 4256 7111 Beresfield Newcastle Hino ����������������������(02) 4974 7800 Camden Adtrans Hino �������������������������������(02) 4655 5755 Grafton Black Hino �����������������������������������(02) 6642 2644 Guildford City Hino �����������������������������������(02) 9681 8111 Kempsey Mavin and McNamara ��������������(02) 6562 6211 Lismore Vanderfield Hino �������������������������(02) 6626 2828 Mascot Adtrans Hino ��������������������������������(02) 9598 9444 Muswellbrook Muswellbrook City Hino ���(02) 6543 3066 Orange West Orange Motors���������������������(02) 6361 1000 Queanbeyan Southern Truck Centre���������(02) 6299 6433 Tamworth Tamworth City Hino �����������������(02) 6765 5552 Wagga Trucks Hino�����������������������������������(02) 6925 5779 West Gosford Adtrans Hino ����������������������(02) 4320 4932

Ayr Don West Toyota ���������������������������������(07) 4783 1600

VICTORIA Bendigo Bendigo Truck Centre �����������������(03) 5440 9111 Dandenong Prestige Hino ������������������������(03) 9212 5555 Laverton North CMI Hino�������������������������(03) 9931 6500 Mildura Sunraysia Auto Group (Mildura) ���(03) 5021 2999 North Geelong ISR Hino ���������������������������(03) 5278 9844 Wodonga Jacob Hino �������������������������������(02) 6055 9800

Cairns Pacific Hino �����������������������������������(07) 4052 4777 Coopers Plains Sci Fleet (Brisbane)���������(07) 3722 2888 Goondiwindi Tait Motors ��������������������������(07) 4671 7300 Gympie Hi-Way 1 Truck & Tractor �������������(07) 5480 5000 Kedron Sci-Fleet (Brisbane) ����������������������(07) 3361 0024 Kunda Park Hi-Way 1 (Maroochydore) ����(07) 5453 5000 Mackay Carlisle Hino��������������������������������(07) 4952 1088 Maryborough Hi-Way 1 Truck & Tractor ���(07) 4190 4190 Mt Isa Bell & Moir Corporation������������������(07) 4743 3066 Nerang Vanderfield Hino ���������������������������(07) 5596 3599 Rockhampton Ian Weigh Motors��������������(07) 4924 5200 Toowoomba Vanderfield Hino�������������������(07) 4633 4822 Townsville Primemovers��������������������������(07) 4779 0077

NORTHERN TERRITORY Alice Springs Peter Kittle Motor Co ���������(08) 8952 5500 Darwin Vanderfield Hino (Pinelands) ���������(08) 8932 4200

WESTERN AUSTRALIA Perth WA Hino (Welshpool)������������������������(08) 9351 2000

TASMANIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Hobart FRM Hino (Derwent Park) ��������������(03) 6272 3822 Devonport FRM Hino��������������������������������(03) 6424 9855 Launceston FRM Hino (Invermay) ������������(03) 6334 5877

Mt Gambier Barry Maney Sales ���������������(08) 8721 3400 Port Augusta Northpoint Hino ������������������(08) 8642 3433 Adelaide CMI Hino (Regency Park) �����������(08) 8243 8100

hino.com.au HMS08203

Torque Torque | 19 | 15

ANOTHER REASON WHY GENUINE HINO PARTS & SERVICE ARE

BETTER

VALUE

IN THE LONG RUN. 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

hino.com.au

sense no matter what model Hino you drive.

A TOYOTA GROUP COMPANY

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