Hino Torque Magazine Spring 2010

ISSUE No.13 Spring 2010

700 GOES AUTO X MARKS THE SPOT

700 THE FUTURE HAS ARRIVED Hino Genuine Oils and Lubricants are here

GOES AUTO

Hino behind revolutionary fire truck

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

Welcome to Hino Torque.

Since our last edition a lot of good things have happened to affect Hino and our customers.

We’ve launched a fuel-saving, operator-friendly Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) in our 700 Series SS 2848 heavy-duty model, as well as a fully automatic hybrid truck. Our complete range of 300 Series light-duty trucks now meet the next level of emissions ahead of schedule. The new Australian emission standards ADR 80/03 based on Euro 5 come into effect at the beginning of next year.

We’ve delivered our 30th Hino Hybrid to the one customer – TNT – and that means there are now more than 150 Hybrids in operation across Australia.

Hino dealers have opened two brand new premises – one at Bunbury in Western Australia and the other at Narellan outside Sydney.

We’ve been visited by our world president Yoshio Shirai who has outlined plans for our model expansion.

And we’ve conducted our most comprehensive-ever product knowledge school to ensure everyone in our dealer network is up to speed.

It’s been a busy and visible period of activity for Hino.

Every move we’ve made has added value to the Hino brand, and that gives our customers more reason to consider us.

Brand value is a very powerful force. It’s the reason people will choose one product over another.

For Hino, however, no matter how much visible activity we put on display, our brand value goes a lot deeper.

Our intrinsic brand value is encased in what we call the ‘invisible investment’. Our true value lies in our product quality and our innovation. The beneficiaries of our brand value are not only the purchasers of new vehicles but also the second and third owners of our trucks.

That reputation is something that builds through the ownership experience.

The launch of our AMT is a good example.

AMT is a great innovation – an excellent feature.

Its advantages are reduction in fuel consumption and increases in operating efficiency. But let’s consider for a moment the benefits of the invisible investment.

AMT frees the operator from one of the major in-cabin tasks. It permits more time and attention to be given to other aspects of road awareness.

The invisible investment is in operator comfort and levels of alertness, and you could argue, in a contribution to greater road safety.

Prove it? Now that’s difficult – the investment is, after all, invisible.

But check back after a period of operation and listen to the endorsement given by satisfied operators. It’s their seal of approval that will ultimately add to our brand value.

TNT’s investment in Hino Hybrids is another embodiment of brand enhancement.

Globally TNT is committed to a program called Planet Me, a means of reducing its environmental impact. Far more than being symbolic, our Hino Hybrids are now making a real contribution to that strategy while reducing, ultimately, bottom-line costs.

In fact Hino Australia is taking a leaf out of TNT’s book.

We have embarked on a program of converting our entire company fleet to hybrid power – Toyota Prius and Hybrid Camry.

We might shortly have the largest solely hybrid corporate fleet in Australia.

In reality it’s costing us no more – and we are discreetly, if not invisibly, contributing to investment in our own brand values.

Steve Lotter President Hino Motor Sales Australia

Torque Torque | 3 | 3

FRM GROWS HINO SUPPORT ON APPLE ISLE Hino has been enjoying strong sales growth and brand awareness in Tasmania thanks to the close relationships its local dealer has forged with the company’s growing customer base.

FRM Hino, which operates dealerships in Hobart, Devonport and Launceston, is a long-term supporter of Tasmania’s transport industry and regularly sponsors and attends industry shows.

This year FRM attended the Deloraine Truck Show and Agfest Field Days – the island state’s leading agricultural event.

Agfest attracted hundreds of exhibitors and more than 67,000 visitors to the event’s purpose-built site

FRM Hino – a significant presence at Tasmania’s leading agricultural event this year

in Carrick near Launceston this May. FRM Hino, which participated in the three-day event in conjunction with Toyota Material Handling, showcased a custom 700 Series and

a range of 300 Series 614 Dump trucks.

“FRM has long been a supporter of shows like Agfest because they are the best way to take our product to Tasmania’s transport industry,”

said FRM’s regional sales manager Andrew Spencer.

“Agriculture is the backbone of the state. Farmers make up maybe 60 per cent of our local transport business, so Agfest and other shows are the ideal place for us to promote Hino’s broad range of products and services.

“Agfest has probably doubled in size since I have been attending.

A lot of new industries outside of agriculture now take part, and a lot of exhibitors come from the mainland as well because the event’s stature has grown so much,” Mr Spencer said.

Agfest Field Days are run by the Rural Youth Organisation of Tasmania, with the event injecting about $25 million annually into the local economy.

Hino HAS A FIELD HINO WINS KEY ENVIRONMENT AWARD DAY AT AGQUIP Muswellbrook City Hino and Tamworth City Hino backed Hino’s strong support for the agricultural industry with their presence at AgQuip, Australia’s largest field day event.

Held in Gunnedah in northern New South Wales, AgQuip claims to be one of the largest agri-industry shows in the world. It traditionally attracts more than 100,000 people each year and hosts more than 3000 exhibitors.

Muswellbrook City Hino and Tamworth City Hino displayed a range of 300 Series trucks featured alongside

Hino’s new 700 Series AMT drew a strong response from crowds at AgQuip

4 | Torque

various 500 Series models and the new 700 Series with automated manual transmission (AMT).

“We drew a lot of enquiries about the new 700 Series AMT which appealed to a number of people including representatives from a local council,” said Muswellbrook City Hino sales manager Colin McLean.

“A Hybrid 300 Series on the stand, along with the 700 Series AMT, was supported by Hino Australia. Both trucks enhanced our stand and helped build Hino’s growing reputation in the area.”

Hino Australia has been recognised for its efforts to make the freight industry more environmentally sustainable, receiving the Victorian Transport Hino’s Bram van der Association’s (VTA) Schaar (centre) with Australian Freight VTA president Paul Freestone (left) and Environmental Award.

Victorian Transport The award was Minister Tim Pallas announced on 11 September during the many of its diesel engines now exceed 21st annual Freight Industry Awards Euro 5 emission requirements, along with held at the Melbourne Exhibition and ‘a number of other initiatives underway to Convention Centre. enhance their new technology, including Hino was one of only six winners driver training for all Hino staff and on the night where the company was branch networks’, concluded the judges. recognised for its initiatives to reduce "Hino would like to thank the VTA for environmental effects in the freight and the opportunity to enter this prestigious logistics industry. event. Hino Australia is leading the way The judging panel that presided in hybrid truck technology outside of over the awards were impressed with Japan and the group hopes to continue Hino’s ‘ideas and actions to address the to be at the forefront moving forward,” issues with reductions in emissions and said Hino divisional manager sales and greenhouse effects on the community’. marketing, Bram van der Schaar, who Hino's application for the award accepted the award on behalf of Hino. focussed on its contribution and “It is important for the Australian leadership in commercial vehicle hybrid government nationally to recognise the technology – something recognised by benefits of hybrid vehicle technology the judges. on the environment and support this The VTA judges praised Hino’s CO2 via subsidies – as we are seeing with reduction strategy, its introduction of the Victorian government and their hybrid trucks to the industry, the fact registration subsidy.”

TAMWORTH HITS THE RIGHT NOTE Hino has strengthened its presence in northern New South Wales with the gala opening of its new Tamworth dealership.

The new dealership, run by respected local transport industry figure Brian Mulligan, is located directly opposite Hino truck service agent RC Barber & Son. Two hundred and fifty guests celebrated Tamworth City Hino’s launch including Hino Australia's chairman and chief executive officer Kenichi Sekine and president and chief operating officer Steve Lotter.

"The new branch shows our ongoing commitment to existing and new customers in the region," Mr Lotter said.

Tamworth Hino dealer principal Greg Robinson (centre) with Hino Australia’s chairman and CEO Ken Sekine (right) and Hino Australia president Steve Lotter at the opening of Tamworth Hino

"It's a logical extension into the Northern Tablelands, based on the success over many years of prime regional dealer Muswellbrook City Hino –

which has a great track record, especially in medium-duty truck sales."

Dealer principal of Muswellbrook City Hino and new Tamworth City Hino,

Greg Robinson, said Hino had achieved strong growth in the region, including servicing the horse and farming industries.

"The north-west has been a strong Hino market for years – in fact Hino first made its name in this area through the civil engineering side of pioneering importer Thiess Bros working in the coal industry," Mr Robinson said.

"In recent years we could see that more and more trucks sold at Muswellbrook City Hino were going to customers around Tamworth.

"The combination of the new sales office and our established service agency RC Barber & Son is a win-win for Tamworth area customers.”

BLACK’S BET IN CASINO PAYS OFF NEW SCHOOL BUS DEBUTS AT BUSVIC EXPO Hino has reinforced its presence in the bus sector by introducing a new coach at the 56th BusVic Maintenance Conference and Bus Expo in Melbourne.

The new generation SB50 School from Custom Coaches, powered by the well-known Hino RN8J chassis, has been developed with very positive feedback from customers and operators.

The Hino SB50 incorporates features that reduce operating costs and increase safety.

Custom Coaches produced the SB400 bus with a Hino chassis for 10 years. It believes the SB50 is the best bus in the company’s 55-year history.

“Quality, quality, quality – that’s the theme of the SB50 bus,” says Custom Coaches general manager engineer Luke Hardy.

“High quality components and high quality performance. The SB50 is the best school bus we’ve ever designed.”

BusVic proved the ideal forum at which to formally launch the bus, with more than 1200 industry representatives attending the two-day event at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

“We had plenty of interest in the new model at the show,” said Hino’s national bus sales manager Kevin Fielding.

“There are not many new releases in the bus market, so it was received with a lot of excitement.

“The SB50 was designed from the outset with cost-containment in mind – in order to compete with cheaper Chinese imports. The local industry has always supported local [bus] body-builders, and with the SB50 they can now choose a bus with a very high build quality at a competitive price.”

BusVic attendees placed a number of orders for the new models during the Expo, and Hino is currently following up several strong sales leads.

Black Hino in Grafton has enhanced Hino’s reputation in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales after the dealership’s successful debut this year at leading agriculture and machinery exhibition Primex.

Based in Casino, inland from Byron Bay, Primex attracts nearly 1000 exhibitors annually and is a key opportunity for the region’s companies to showcase their products.

Black Hino displayed a selection of trucks including a 616 Trade Ace and 716 Dump from the 300 Series range, two 500 Series FD1024s – one with an aluminium tray, one with

a cattle crate – as well as a 700 Series FS2844.

Black Hino sales manager Phil Gilbert says Hino’s successful attendance should increase the sales of all Hino dealerships in the region.

“Hino has strong competition in the region – so attending Primex was a must,” Mr Gilbert said.

“We tailored our display to suit our most popular models, so having a built-to-go Dump and trucks with cattle crates meant our range proved popular. The arrival of the Auto in the 700 Series will also help boost our sales of Hino’s biggest truck.”

Torque | 5

The

Factor

Ensuring your Hino has the right oils and lubricants is a vital part of keeping it on the road. Hino has just made that a whole lot easier.

Hino Australia has just launched its own range of Genuine Oils and Lubricants, specifically tailored to suit its vehicle range.

The ‘X’ range of oils and lubricants has been developed to provide maximum benefit to Hino vehicles.

Eight products are currently available under the Hino Genuine Series brand, including engine, differential and manual transmission oils, and coolant.

The product line-up includes: - Hino Diesel X Plus - Hino Diesel X - Hino Driveline X - Hino Shift X - Premixed coolant (pink) - Premixed LLC Long Life Coolant (blue)

Hino developed the range of genuine products to combat the issues caused by aftermarket, nongenuine oils and lubricants which do not always meet the stringent requirements of today’s sophisticated engines and drivelines.

Hino Genuine Series diesel engine oils, transmission and driveline lubricants are specially tuned to Hino’s latest technology.

They are designed to reduce wear, provide oxidation stability, reduce oil consumption and enable component cleanliness.

Hino Genuine Diesel X Plus engine oil has been developed to comply with Hino’s expanding range of Australian Design Rule ADR

80/03 (Euro 5) emission-compliant vehicles, including its new range of 300 Series trucks.

Oil protection naturally extends beyond new vehicles: Hino Genuine Oils and Lubricants are also blended to offer enhanced protection for older vehicles.

Hino service manager Gus Belanszky said Hino Genuine Series allows customers to better protect their vehicles on a number of levels.

“With the highly sophisticated nature of the engines and drivelines in today’s Hino vehicles, we felt it was necessary to develop a range of oils and lubricants that was equally sophisticated,” he said.

“Customers can run into problems

if they start using inferior aftermarket products. By using Hino Genuine Series they can look after their vehicles with the same products used at our authorised Hino Service Centres.

“Hino Genuine Series extends the customer experience with Hino Genuine beyond parts and accessories. The range ensures a customer’s Hino is maintained to the highest standard during its life,” Mr Belanszky said.

Hino Genuine Series is being promoted under the banner of ‘Xtreme Protection’. Promotional material features a Samurai warrior to emphasise the product’s vehicle protection image.

Hino Genuine Series is available now from authorised Hino dealers.

Hino developed its new range of Genuine Oils and Lubricants to match the sophistication of its engines and drivelines

6 | Torque

SECRET Service A specialist automotive transport company is using the dependability of Hino to secretly ship some of the most valuable cars in the world around Australia.

Sydney-based Auto Prep is contracted by some of the leading car companies to transport motor show display cars, secret prototypes, concept cars and race cars all over the country.

Some of the cars are irreplaceable and therefore invaluable, while others are new production models being delivered to media events, customers or dealer displays.

Auto Prep recently expanded its fleet by taking delivery of a new Hino GD 1227 Air with the high-output 190kW engine and six-speed transmission, fitted with a curtainsided tilt-tray body.

The new 500 Series Hino brings Auto Prep’s all-Hino fleet to four, including a trio of FD models – a 2007 three-car open car carrier, a 2005 curtain-sider with a tilt-tray body and a 1999 model tilt-tray that continues to do service for the company.

Auto Prep recently celebrated its 15th anniversary and has

Sean from Auto Prep is a fan of the company’s new 500 Serie s

15 full-time and casual staff.

As well as being contracted to car manufacturers such as Toyota and Lexus, Auto Prep has also moved cars for the Top Gear Live show and even transported the famous Popemobile during the pontiff’s tour of Australia two years ago.

The Popemobile was too high for the regular curtain-sider tilt-tray and

therefore travelled solo on the three-car Hino carrier.

Company founder Glenn Austin said it was vital to have dependable and safe trucks to protect his valuable cargo.

“We’ve used Hinos exclusively for more than a decade and they are the best.

I wouldn’t use anything else,” he said.

“We’ve never really been let down, which is obviously vital, and the

drivers love them – especially the new GD, which is quieter and has features like cruise control.”

Mr Austin said the Hino trucks average about 80,000km a year travelling mainly down the east coast and across to Adelaide.

He believes the secret to the reliability of the Hinos is regular servicing.

Auto Prep’s Hino fleet has transported the Popemobile Torque | 7

Hino Australia has introduced a range of environmental, performance and safety upgrades to its truck range.

Torque investigates the improvements and how they will benefit Hino’s current and future customers.

8 | Torque

Global president Yoshio Shirai says customer satisfaction is central to Hino’s success

A dealer conference ensured the people who sell Hinos around Australia are fully aware of the numerous updates across the brand

Hino global president Yoshio Shirai (right) hands the keys of TNT’s 30th Hino Hybrid to the company’s managing director for Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, Bob Black

Hino’s global president Yoshio Shirai is a leader who actually lives by the core principles his company espouses.

Not interested in letting Hino’s values become hollow words, Mr Shirai practices what he preaches.

In this instance it is Genchi Genbutsu or “going to see for yourself” – one of Hino’s longstanding credos.

Recently, on his third visit to Australia in the last four years, Mr Shirai came to see for himself just what impact Hino was having in one of the world’s most competitive road freight markets. He was not disappointed.

Australia is now Hino’s fourth largest market in the world. This country has played a major role in a company sea change in which Hino’s overseas sales have recently exceeded those in its domestic Japanese market.

This shift was first achieved in

Hino Hybrid 300 Series is becoming increasingly popular with fleets

2007 – 97 years after the company was founded. Hino’s overseas sales climbed last year to more than double its domestic total.

President Shirai witnessed the trend firsthand when he handed over the keys of freight company TNT’s 30th Hino Hybrid 300 Series to Bob Black, managing director of TNT Express Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands.

The TNT purchase means the company now owns the largest hybrid truck fleet in the country (see separate story p12).

The ceremony with TNT came on the back of the local introduction of a number of significant new updates to Hino’s truck range, many of which are aimed at improving the environmental and safety credentials of the Hino line-up.

Hino’s continuing commitment to the environment is reflected by its early move to make all 300 Series trucks Australian Design Rule (ADR) 80/03

emissions-compliant – several months ahead of schedule. ADR 80/03 is based on Euro 5, a strict emissions reduction

upgrade with the arrival of new emissions compliance across the entire range.

“ T he move to a lower-emission engine puts Hino ahead of its competitors in the segment”

standard which has been adopted by Australian automotive regulators to further cut exhaust emissions.

Hino has also highlighted its commitment to customer-friendly technology with the introduction of an automatic transmission for its heavyduty 700 Series rigs.

Along with these two significant changes, the majority of models from the 300, 500 and 700 Series range have received a host of upgrades.

300 Series Hino’s light-duty workhorse has received perhaps the most critical

The 300 Series now meets ADR 80/03 thanks to the introduction of a Diesel Particulate Active Reduction System (DPR) alongside the range’s Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (Cooled EGR).

The move to a lower-emission engine puts Hino ahead of its competitors in the segment because manufacturers are not required to meet the tough new regulations until 2011.

Hino’s DPR system reduces particulates, or black soot, by more than 95 per cent.

Torque | 9

(Main and top right) 500 and 700 Series models have received upgraded interiors.

Euro 5-compliant engines in its 300 Series range (below right) shows Hino is leading the way in the light-duty sector

Developed in Japan and tested in Australia since 2004, Hino’s DPR system was designed from the outset to work in stop-start applications where most light-duty trucks perform the bulk of their operations.

The move to ADR 80/03 compliance is another significant upgrade for Hino’s 300 Series.

The range’s improved green credentials follow the recent introduction of the Hybrid 300 Series Auto and 300 Series Auto Dump – Australia’s first dump truck with an automatic transmission.

All 300 Series now also come standard with electrically-adjusted and heated mirrors, increasing the driver’s field of view and assisting in clearing the mirror of frost and water on cold and wet days.

500 Series Hino’s 500 Series medium-duty trucks also benefit from a handful of

10 | Torque

new features despite being only a few months away from receiving the same emissions upgrade as the 300 Series.

The 500 Series has received a new grey/charcoal interior as well as a number of mirror upgrades to improve safety and visibility. The main mirrors on each 500 Series are now electrically-controlled and heated, while the size of the convex spotter mirrors has been increased and they are also heated. A new mirror arm offers a multi-position ratchet design and improves blindspot coverage.

All 500 Series trucks also come standard with a driver’s SRS Airbag.

700 Series Hino’s heavy-duty 700 Series introduces a 16-speed automated manual transmission (AMT)on selected models, eliminating double-clutching and improving fuel economy.

Hino now offers the SS 2848 and SS 2848 High Roof with the overdrive version of the ZF AS-Tronic transmission.

The 700 Series AMT is a smart addition to Hino’s range. It not only assists with decreasing emissions and reducing wear and tear on the driveline and braking system, but allows the driver to concentrate more on the road and their surroundings, rather than gear shifting.

Hino has a long history of using ZF’s auto transmissions in Japan.

Like a standard auto road car, the ZF transmission provides the 700 Series with true two-pedal automated operation and even offers a ‘manual’ mode that acts like the sequential gear selection in many modern luxury cars.

As with the 500 Series, Hino has introduced a new grey/charcoal cabin interior colour scheme and heated and electronic mirrors.

The 700 Series now offers increased cabin comfort to improve the driver’s

700 Series goes automatic

The dash of the 700 AMT clearly display which gear is selected

Hino Australia’s president and CEO Kenichi Sekine (left) and chairman Steve Lotter (right) have worked closely with the company’s global president Yoshio Shirai to help make Australia Hino’s fourth biggest market worldwide

experience on long-haul trips. A multiadjustable driver’s seat has an integrated three-point seatbelt, along with integrated head restraint and pneumatic dual-stage lumbar with lateral support and an anatomically-shaped cushion.

The passenger seat folds flat to provide a meal-break table or work bench. The rest bunk in both the High Roof and standard 2848 models have been improved.

Hino’s raft of improvements now provides each sector of the truck market with options that bring the brand to the forefront of customer purchase decisions.

Where the Customer Rules “These models have been developed in response to strong voices from Hino Australia, Hino dealers and of course the most important voice – the voice of the customer,” said Yoshio Shirai.

“ These models have been developed in response to strong voices from Hino Australia, Hino dealers and of course the most important voice – the voice of the customer”

“Our company slogan is ‘Hino – The global brand for all customers’, and I can tell you we are very focussed on achieving this goal.”

Mr Shirai said the upgrades across the Hino Australia range were part of a broader program to expand Hino’s global presence. New models, such as the Auto Dump and Hybrid Auto, and vehicles tailored to suit local conditions, are helping build Hino’s profile both locally and internationally.

As part of Hino’s plan to better service its diverse markets, the company has taken advantage of its Global Factory Network. In the first stage, planned for next year, Australia will receive some 500 Series models and engines from

Hino Thailand, rather than Japan.

Hino’s president believes the move will help the company maintain competitive pricing, achieve more timely deliveries and ensure vehicle specifications meet the usage of customers in each area.

Local tuning of vehicles has become an important part of Hino’s success in Australia. Its expanding nationwide dealer network, which services customers operating in urban, rural, mining and long-haul applications, provides Hino with a broad cross-section of information for future model development across its entire vehicle range.

The growing success of locallyadapted vehicles is also due in part

to the training and knowledge of Hino Australia staff and dealer sales staff.

Mr Shirai took part in a dealer conference during his visit where dealer staff learned about the features of the new models – a regular occurrence before new models go on sale.

The conference was followed by an extensive driving program at the Mount Cotton driver training centre in Queensland, where more than 70 dealer sales managers and sales staff experienced the new features firsthand.

Hino’s newest models prove the company is willing to lead the market in innovation, listen to its customers and offer features that expand its appeal into new market sectors.

Torque | 11

TNT shows Hybrid

acceptance on the increase The delivery of a 30th Hino Hybrid to TNT Express Australia has marked a new milestone in acceptance of Hino’s fuel-saving and emissions-reducing hybrid trucks.

TNT Express now has the largest fleet of Hino Hybrid 300 Series diesel-electric trucks in the country after Hino Motors Ltd global president Yoshio Shirai handed over the keys to the company’s 30th hybrid truck.

Hino Hybrid truck take-up is also on the increase in sectors beyond the transport industry, with other major buyers including grocery and confectionary companies, local councils and a network of collection and retail stores.

TNT, led by its Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands managing director Bob Black, pioneered the use of a hybrid truck fleet in Australia, commissioning TNT’s first Hino Hybrids early in 2008. It now has Hino Hybrid fleets in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.

The latest delivery of hybrid trucks to TNT comes as Hino introduces yet

Hino Motors Ltd global president Yoshio Shirai hands the keys of the latest TNT Hino Hybrid to TNT Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands managing director Bob Black

12 | Torque

another innovation: Hino’s second hybrid model and the first dieselelectric hybrid truck in Australia with automatic transmission.

The new Hino Hybrid 300 Series automatic uses the same 100kW diesel engine and 36kW electric motor as the manual-transmission model – drawing power according to driving conditions and driver inputs to optimise fuel economy and minimise emissions.

The new automatic Hino Hybrid offers significant fuel savings compared with an equivalent diesel truck.

Hino Australia president Mr Steve Lotter says TNT’s real-world experience in high-use applications showed each Hino Hybrid in its fleets reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an average of 1,600 kilograms of CO2 a year.

He says TNT was quick to grasp the environmental and fuel-saving benefits of Hino Hybrid technology.

“The transport industry's emphasis on being green has grown enormously in the last couple of years and progressive companies such as TNT have led the way by growing its

hybrid fleet,” Mr Lotter said.

“This is a great showcase of the benefits and suitability of Hino Hybrid trucks for Australian operations.”

TNT is one of a number of large companies and government organisations that is increasing its commitment to environmentally sustainable transportation.

Recent converts Nestlé, Linfox, Salvos Stores, Pedimont and Veolia have been joined by local councils including Mandura in Western Australia and Geelong in Victoria.

Training centre manager Sergio Bonvini teaching the basics of electrical circuits

The Electromagnetism Master helps trainees understand the basic principles of electricity

Bright Sparks Hino’s state-of-the-art electronic simulators are helping to speed up electrical and electronics training while reducing the risk of damage to vehicle equipment.

The electronic systems in Hino trucks are constantly evolving.

It is vital then that Hino has all the best training methodologies and equipment available to keep up with this continuing technological development.

Hino purchased three new types of electrical / electronic simulators during the recent upgrade of Hino’s Technical Training Centre in Sydney to ensure the company provides the most comprehensive training for apprentices, technicians and fleet customer technicians.

These simulators are now being incorporated into Hino’s technical training modules.

Training centre manager Sergio Bonvini says these simulators are “visual teaching aids” that help break down complex electrical theory with easy-to-understand practical exercises.

“The three simulators all teach different aspects of electrical and electronic theory. One teaches the basic principles of electricity, concerning electromagnetism. The second one helps trainees understand basic electrical circuits and their components.

And the third teaches electromagnetic relay functions,” Mr Bonvini said.

The simulators help accelerate electrical / electronics training by providing the perfect stepping stone for trainees to grasp the basics of how electricity behaves in the complex vehicle electrical systems.

“Physics isn’t for everyone and the theories of electronics can be pretty hard to grasp at the beginning. These simulators help speed up the learning process because they are visual aids which allow trainees to see what’s happening. It’s much easier to digest the information when you can see it

presented in this way,” Mr Bonvini says.

“The aids speed up the training process considerably and they also reduce the cost of damage to vehicle electrical equipment. Instead of working on vehicles right away we can teach the basics on the simulators with easy, hands-on exercises.”

Mr Bonvini, who recently flew to Japan for intensive training on the new 700 Series automated manual transmission (AMT), understands the importance of making sure technicians and apprentices receive the best possible training.

“It was during a day of training at Toyota Australia that I was shown all the equipment that they have. Once I used their simulators I knew right away that we had to have these at Hino,” he explained.

“The latest electrical and communications systems are very advanced. That’s why we’ve invested in developing such advanced training

systems. We have to keep up with the technology, especially with the hybrids and the new 700 Series AMT.” Hino’s four-day training course with the new simulators is designed to teach basic troubleshooting and repairs, while catering to apprentices (from first to fourth year), Hino technicians and fleet client technicians.

Day one covers vehicle basics, including basic engine tuning and adjustments, before the remaining three days cover the intricacies of electrical / electronics principles.

Hino believes the training will be of great benefit to its customers because the dealer network will have the expertise to diagnose any electrical malfunction at a faster rate.

The result is less down-time at the dealerships, which means customers’ trucks are back in operation faster.

That’s training at its best.

Torque | 13

CFA tours ry Revo luti o na H eavy-duty Truck

Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) is touring an exciting concept tanker based on Hino’s medium-duty 500 Series GT crew cab chassis.

The concept tanker – a joint effort

by Hino, Allison Transmission and Varley Specialised Vehicles – is setting the benchmark in safe firefighting. Its innovations include a fully automatic transmission for increased driveability, a power take-off (PTO) which allows for simultaneous drive of the truck’s transmission and water pump, and a host of leading-edge fire-fighting and crew protection systems.

Hino Australia national government sales manager Tom Ayrton says the highly customised truck represents a quantum leap in safety and 14 | Torque

operational efficiency – and he’s optimistic the prototype will reach large-scale production.

“The concept tanker is presently on a three-month demonstration tour across Victoria. We’re hopeful it will eventually form the backbone of the CFA’s future heavy tanker fleet,” he says.

The innovations made by the 4X4 500 Series GT crew cab chassis build on those in a similar CFA light tanker prototype based on a 300 Series truck. A key difference, however, is that the 500 Series GT’s 3750-litre tank carries nearly twice as much water as the light-duty version.

CFA’s vehicles project manager

Andrew Webb says the main difference between the concept heavy tanker and the CFA’s current 34C tankers is that the heavy tanker’s four crew members fight fires from within the air-conditioned vehicle, greatly increasing safety.

“Traditionally, we have had crew using handheld hoses while standing on the back of a truck’s tray deck, but the concept heavy tanker crew all operate from within the cabin,” he says.

Three crew members join a driver in the cabin, each directing one of three electronically controlled water-cannons, or “monitors”, via a “joystick”. A front

passenger mans a forward-firing monitor, with the rear crew each side-firing.

The side-firing monitors can also be remote-controlled from a distance, using a portable hand-held device.

Each monitor is capable of streaming up to 700 litres per minute.

This is made possible by the installation of the PTO, which allows the vehicle to “pump and roll”.

“Previously, we used a standalone 22kW diesel pump, but with the concept truck’s powerful 158kW engine to drive the pump we have up to 1800 litres per minute flow or 2500 kPa of pressure on tap,” Mr Webb says.

Fire agencies and partners visit Hino Japan One of three electronically controlled water cannons mounted on the 500 Series

A joystick is used to control the three electronically-controlled water cannons

“This effectively doubles the previously available stream range. With that pressure we can now deliver more water high up into the canopies of tall trees.

“With the increased pump flow and pressure came the need to fix the monitors to the vehicle, so that accuracy would not be compromised and we can direct the flow with great precision.”

Vital data such as water tank levels, flows and pressure are displayed on LCD screens inside the cabin.

A standalone high-pressure, lowflow pump at the truck’s rear feeds twin, lightweight hoses for mopping up or “blacking out” spot fires and remnant embers, once the major fire front has been dealt with. This pump can generate as much as 100 bar of pressure – or as little as that from a domestic garden hose.

The heavy-duty concept’s large water tank, combined with increased crew comfort and an abundance of technically advanced crew protection systems, greatly extends the vehicle’s capability and the amount of time the crew can operate at a fire front, compared with traditional alternatives.

The truck’s various crew protection systems allow it to withstand the course of a typical flame front.

“A burn-over event such as a flame front usually runs for about five minutes,” Mr Webb says. “Our protection systems combine to keep our crew safe during such a period.”

Chiefly, a vehicle spray-protection system made up of 30 separate spray

The 500 Series concept tanker brings together the latest fire-fighting technology

Fire crews can monitor the tanker’s performance via display screens in the cabin

nozzles keeps all exterior vehicle surfaces coated in a water film.

“In a large bushfire, radiant heat will get you before the flames do,” says Mr Webb. “So anything on the vehicle, from the cabin windows and tyres to the pump, is wetted down so that, as with human perspiration, the water is able to keep critical surfaces cool.”

Radiant heat is also deflected by aluminium protection curtains, which shield the crew from heat that would otherwise transmit through the truck’s glass windows.

Hino’s Tom Ayrton says the concept heavy tanker is currently the crowning addition to a string of vehicles Hino has helped the CFA develop.

“As the largest supplier of the CFA’s light and heavy tankers, we have a longstanding history of working with CFA to produce leading-edge fire-fighting configurations,” he says.

“We are especially pleased to have helped produce the concept heavy tanker, which is bristling with potential to transform rural fire-fighting operations.”

CFA’s Andrew Webb says the heavy tanker concept is a vast improvement on the present heavy tanker in every area.

“It is smarter, safer, quieter, lighter, more drivable and manoeuvrable, and it fights fires far more efficiently with greater ‘knock-down’ capability.

“With CFA’s operational acceptance, we hope to begin mainstream production towards the end of this financial year.”

Hino Australia recently took key fire industry customers and suppliers to Japan as part of a product strategy and development tour.

The Japan tour was hosted by Hino Australia’s Alex Stewart and Tom Ayrton with a view to eventually bringing to Australia vehicles specialised for rural fire-fighting duties.

Senior representatives from Victoria’s Country Fire Authority (CFA) and the ACT’s Emergency Services Authority (ESA) were on the trip, and Hino Australia also invited guests from specialised body-builders Varley Group and SEM Fire & Rescue.

The group met Hino’s chief engineer, product planning division, Hosokawa Masahiro, and other Hino engineers and senior executives.

“This trip was unique in that we wanted customers to see at first-hand Hino’s potential to provide tailored product solutions and to inspect Japanese domestic market fire and emergency-specific vehicles not currently offered outside of Japan,” said Mr Ayrton.

“The trip gave our customers insight into Hino Japan’s manufacturing operations. They could also meet Hino’s product planning and engineering personnel so that [these personnel] could better understand our fire and rescue authorities’ requirements.”

The tour included visits to Hino Japan’s head office in Hino City, to the 500 Series and 700 Series plant, and the 300 Series plant and Driver Training and Technical Facility in Hamura.

The group also toured the Tokyo Fire Brigade HQ where it was privy to some fire technologies and applications peculiar to that densely urban city’s needs.

Torque | 15

Hino 700 Series heavy-duty trucks are becoming increasingly popular in far north Queensland thanks to growing support from a regional council and local businesses.

Cairns Regional Council’s recent purchase of two Hino 700 Series trucks has driven local demand for the company’s heavy-duty range

Cairns Regional Council has taken delivery of two 700 Series FS2844 Dump trucks after Pacific Hino won a tender to supply vehicles to the council’s works and fleet departments.

Hino was selected ahead of its strongest competitor in the region due to its mix of quality product, after-sales support and competitive pricing.

The council has so far used the new trucks to carry a mini-excavator between jobs and to transport soil to Cairns from Babinda (40 minutes south of Cairns).

Pacific Hino dealership provided the council with training on the new vehicles to ensure drivers and council fleet maintenance staff were 16 | Torque

familiar with the trucks’ features and servicing requirements.

Pacific Hino sales executive Mike Grant said the council’s purchase had triggered a strong run of sales for the Hino 700 Series in the Cairns region.

“These were the first 700 Series sold under our new owners Servco Australia Cairns, who took over Pacific Hino in June 2009,” Mr Grant said.

“Following these two Cairns

Regional Council sales, we have sold three more 700 Series 2844s, one of which was set up as a prime mover for Rob Roy Earthmoving in Weipa, eight hours north of Cairns.

“As a dealership Pacific Hino, with Hino's assistance, has really kicked some goals in the heavy-duty market here in north Queensland in the last six months, which from a personal point of view is really rewarding.”

Mr Grant believes it is significant that the dealership’s five most recent 700 Series sales were all fitted with six-rod suspension.

“Six-rod is ideal for the terrain here in north Queensland, as a lot of the work carried out by the 700 Series sold here is off-road where air suspension

would not be suited,” Mr Grant said.

Cairns Regional Council’s fleet maintenance department undertakes routine servicing of its new Hinos. Any warranty work or major servicing will be carried out at Pacific Hino’s authorised service centre.

The Cairns Regional Council has also received a visit from Hino’s Queensland regional service manager, Ben Chamberlin, who met the council on behalf of Hino Australia’s head office as part of a post-purchase follow-up.

The visit was to ensure the council was happy with the performance of their new trucks and forms part of Hino’s support of its customers in regional and remote locations around Australia.

s e o G o n Hi

Walkabout

Vanderfield Hino’s commitment to customer service and product familiarisation in Darwin reaches beyond the city to the remote Aboriginal community of Galiwin’ku.

Vanderfield Hino (Darwin) recently sold two 500 Series FG1527 chassis trucks – modified with Russ Equipment garbage compactors – to the East Arnhem Shire Council.

One was delivered to the Aboriginal settlement Gapuwiyak on the mainland, the second to Galiwin’ku, a remote Aboriginal community on Elcho Island.

As part of Vanderfield Darwin’s commitment to customer service, the dealership’s workshop foreman Mark Sheppard flew to Galiwin’ku with Ken Russ of Russ Equipment to conduct product familiarisation and training.

Hino’s regional service manager for Queensland and Northern Territory, Ben Chamberlin, flew along for the experience.

“When I got wind of the trip, I put my hand up to go along. I think it’s great how Vanderfield go out of their way to provide the product support and training to such remote communities,” says Ben. It’s hard to imagine a more isolated part of Australia to run a Hino truck. Galiwin’ku is the largest traditional Aboriginal community in

northeast Arnhem Land. Located on the remote Elcho Island, it’s roughly 2.5 hours by plane from Darwin and home to 2000 residents.

Interestingly, Elcho Island was the inspiration for Neil Murray’s song, My Island Home – later made famous by Christine Anu. It’s also the birthplace of ARIA award-winning Aboriginal folk musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu.

As Ben explains, the community is completely isolated from the outside world during the monsoon because travelling around the island is almost impossible.

“The roads are mainly half-sealed bitumen, but once you get out of the town a little the roads are unsealed.

It gets pretty serious during monsoon.

In this part of the world you can experience 150mm of rain during the day, or overnight. When it rains, everything stops,” says Ben. This isolation makes it extremely important for the service team and drivers of the East Arnhem Shire Council to understand the operation and maintenance of the Hino trucks.

“First we showed the team around

the truck itself. Mark Sheppard and I took the guys out for a drive to run them through the features and to demonstrate best practice. They’ve been driving trucks for a long time, so this was more about getting them familiar with the new Hino product.

“After that we ran them through the general maintenance, like how to lift the cab, how to check the water and fluids and where all the main filter service points are. Ken Russ ran them through operation of the compactor.

“The [East Arnhem] Council mechanics are very skilled, so they picked it up right away, but it’s good practice to familiarise them with the product like this,” Ben continues.

Living in such a remote part of Australia throws up a lot of challenges. Of course, if a truck needs urgent attention, Vanderfield will charter a Cessna and send a technician out for assistance.

“They just don’t have the facilities we do on the mainland and they’re so isolated. I think a lot of our colleagues don’t understand that.

The service that Vanderfield Hino

Vanderfield Hino’s plane makes the difference

(Darwin) provides is pretty amazing.

It’s one of the reasons they get such good business and dominate the market in the region,” Ben says.

“Vanderfield is very interactive and community-focused. It’s a lesson I think a lot of our dealers would benefit from. I learned a lot, especially from Ken Russ, and I am planning more trips.”

One of two new 500 Series for rubbish collection on the remote Elcho Island

East Arnhem Shire Council staff in Galiwin’ku benefit from Hino’s on-site training Torque | 17

Waste collection company Veolia Environmental Services is operating its first hybrid truck at the new Top Ryde City shopping complex in Sydney

Veolia VOTES: #1 HYBRID

Environmental concerns have prompted a leading waste collection company to invest in its first hybrid truck.

The Hino Hybrid 300 Series – the first hybrid truck available in Australia – is now operating exclusively at the new Top Ryde City shopping complex in Sydney.

Veolia Environmental Services is using the truck exclusively at the shopping centre where it has the waste management and recycling services contract.

The hybrid truck collects assorted waste bins that are emptied into either a waste or recycling compactor at the centre's loading dock.

The Hino Hybrid 714 model was chosen for its more environmentally-friendly dieselelectric hybrid powertrain, which reduces fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Veolia national fleet and equipment manager David Burgess said it was important for an 18 | Torque

environmental services company to take the initiative to promote lower emissions and fuel use.

"The Hino Hybrid truck at Top Ryde City is a first for Veolia in Australia and really highlights our commitment to providing customers with sustainable, low-emissions solutions," Mr Burgess said.

"While this is the first hybrid on our fleet, Veolia is looking towards increasing the presence of hybrid technology across the business."

Veolia will also implement best-practice recovery of Top Ryde City's waste, sending residual waste from the shopping centre to Veolia's Woodlawn Bioreactor to produce renewable electricity.

A major challenge during development of the truck for the Top Ryde City site was ensuring that it could access the low 2.1-metre car park clearance.

To overcome this issue, Veolia and leading custom body company Fleetweld designed a front suspension hydraulic lowering system that reduces the overall cabin height by 150mm.

Key to the hybrid truck's efficiency compared with a conventional diesel truck is its unique ability to use regenerative braking to capture the vehicle's kinetic energy when decelerating and store that energy as electricity for later use powering the vehicle.

A conventional truck wastes that kinetic energy as heat through the service brakes. The hybrid truck therefore saves on brake life as well as reducing fuel use and emissions.

In addition, Hino Hybrid has an engine-stop feature, so the diesel engine stops when the vehicle is stationary – a considerable benefit in the busy confines of a suburban shopping centre.

Hino Hybrid 714 uses the power from a 100kW 4.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine and a 36kW electric motor, according to driving conditions, to optimise fuel use and minimise emissions.

Veolia Environmental Services, previously known as Collex, has been operating in Australia for more than 30 years.

Veolia’s adoption of hybrid technology adds yet another major fleet customer to the growing list making the switch to Hino’s environmentally-sustainable truck.

The waste collection company joins the likes of TNT, Nestlé, Linfox and Salvos Stores in switching to Hino Hybrid power.

Hino has further broadened the appeal of its light-duty hybrid by adding an automatic transmission option to its Hybrid 300 Series 714 model line-up.

NEW SOUTH WALES

QUEENSLAND

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hino.com.au HMS00022

Torque Torque | 19 | 15

INTRODUCING

THE HEAVY

DUTY TRUCK THAT’S LIGHT

ON THE

DRIVER. Hino’s new 700 Series with Automated Manual Transmission With a new look interior, electric heated mirrors, ISRI 6860 air suspended multi-adjustable driver’s seat and Intarder for better braking, you’ll find hino.com.au the new Hino 700 Series lightens your load considerably.

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