300 Series - Media Coverage by Hino Australia

What do Australia’s leading trucking journalists think? “Simply putting a more powerful engine in the truck is not enough but coming up with a package which does the job so it drives so easily and in comfort does mean that Hino have got something going on here.” Tim Giles, Power Torque

“The driver’s seat in the Wide Cab models has torsion-bar suspension with adjustable damping and is mounted on inclined rails to make adjustments easy across a broad range to physically suit almost any driver and provide a high level of comfort with reduced fatigue.” Peter Shields, Prime Mover

“We found the 616 really easy to park in most supermarket parking areas, in-fact, the compact dimensions, tight turning circle and narrow width of the standard cab made short work of the parking task.” Jon Thomson Transport Trucking Australia

“It’s a truck and a bloody good one at that. Safety features abound in the new 300 Series…Comfortable, practical and a very nice truck to drive.”

Rod Fuller, Fleet Auto News

“…the new 300 Series really takes the segment to a new level. It rides well, has a class-leading interior, plenty of safety tech, and offers excellent fuel consumption.” Ben Zachariah, Drive.com.au

“The 721 Wide Cab crew truck fits a market niche in the Hino lineup which should appeal to many operators. It’s a very pleasant workplace for the driver and delivered admirable economy on our test – especially for a loaded truck.” Allan Whiting, Trucksales.com.au

“Simply putting a more powerful engine in the truck is not enough but coming up with a package which does the job so it drives so easily and in comfort does mean that Hino have got something going on here.” Geoff Middleton Trucksales.com.au

“Despite spending a lot of time in European van-based cab-chassis units, I found the 300 series a welcoming environment that I’d be happy to spend a day in on a regular delivery run.”

David Meredith, Big Rigs

AUSTRALIA’S GUIDE TO UTES, VANS, LIGHT TRUCKS & PEOPLE MOVERS

www.deliverymagazine.com.au ISSUE 91 AUG/SEPT 2020 RRP: $8.95

HINO300

BIG VAN WRAP UP

PLUS: PEUGEOT • LDV • RENAULT • TOYOTA

Delivery Magazine is an AfMA Strategic Alliance Partner

& CHEVROLET IS BACK!

Transport & Trucking Australia November, 2020

032 www.truckandbus.net.au

IS THE WORK UTE STRUGGLING A LITTLE TO CARRY AROUND THE NECESSARY TOOLS OF YOUR TRADE AND MATERIALS FOR JOBS, SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY? PERHAPS IT’S TIME TO CONSIDER STEPPING UP TO A SMALL TRUCK INSTEAD. WE GET IT, AND SO IT SEEMS, DOES HINO. YOU DON’T HAVE A TRUCK LICENCE AND NEITHER DOES YOUR APPRENTICE, AND YOU DON’T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE EXPENSE AND DOWNTIME OF GETTING EVERYONE LICENCED, PERHAPS THE NEW HINO 300-SERIES COULD HELP. WARREN CAVES TOOK IT FOR A SPIN. www.truckandbus.net.au 033

he recently released new Hino 300-series range of trucks offer class-leading safety and tech with the addition of a suite of active and passive safety features to include, dual SRS air bags, Hino’s PreCollision System (PCS), incorporating Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), and Pedestrian Detection (PD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), ABS braking, Traction control, Daytime Running Lamps, and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), all wrapped up in a light truck that can be driven on a standard car licence. We grabbed the keys to an all new, Hino 300-sereis 616, standard cab to evaluate the benefits and performance on offer. The test vehicle was fitted with an aluminium drop-side tray, with generous proportions measuring, 3150mm long by

034 www.truckandbus.net.au

1900mm wide, with ladder racks and a soft tonneau cover, your typical tradie spec truck. Down in the engine room, resides Hino’s NO4C-WL, four-cylinder, OHV, turbo diesel, intercooled engine producing 110kw (150hp) @2500 rpm and 420nm of torque, spanning from 1400-2500 rpm. The featured transmission is Hino’s A86OE, six-speed, double overdrive, true automatic transmission. The weights for practical purposes are listed on the driver’s door to state a GVM of 4495kgs (optional 5500kgs available), and a tare weight of 2360kgs. So, for this application the usable payload is 2135kgs, which is greatly in excess of any single cab, Japanese-based ute which could offer around 1300kgs of payload. Additionally, with the greater expanse of cubic tray space and handy integrated ladder racks

useful for floor /wall and roof sheets or timber lengths out to six months or so, versatility is even more enhanced over the standard, tray back ute. All this extra load carrying ability of the 300-series 616, tray back, doesn’t necessarily come at the expense of practicality. We found the 616 really easy to park in most supermarket parking areas, in-fact, the compact dimensions, tight turning circle and narrow width of the standard cab made short work of the parking task, a morning smoko run by the apprentice to McDonald’s or the local coffee spot, shouldn’t pose any problem. While the 616 offers a seating capacity of three, the in-cab space is best suited for two. The centre seat is cramped, with not much leg room, although with the automatic transmission (a five-speed manual is also available), there would

be no need for fondling around for gears obstructed by the centre passengers’ knees. Accessing the cab and the driver’s seat was quite easy. The low seat base and cab height posed no real issues for access. The driver’s seat provided reasonable comfort from a fixed base seat, and offered generous rearward adjustment for my medium (182cm) height. The space between the gear lever and the driver’s door frame was ok, but I found when resting my right leg against the door, it lined up with the hard, window control switch panel and became uncomfortable. The steering column offers dual adjustment for both reach and tilt, to cater comfortably for most driver sizes. The passenger side seat looked as if it would not be particularly comfortable on a long journey. The 616 is equipped with two main cup

holders on the dash proper, to securely hold early morning Latte, heart starters. A further two cup holders become available when the centre seat is folded forward. Two overhead roof vestibules are fitted above the windscreen on both sides for storing small items, although these are open and there are no lift-up doors to secure things in place. New to the Hino 300-sereis is the 6.5inch touch screen multi-media system, which incorporates the audio and DAB radio, phone Bluetooth functions as well as the satellite navigation system. The satellite navigation system was easy to operate and phone Bluetooth pairing was a simple affair, without the need for plying your way through multiple menu options to connect. The 6.5-inch screen is also used for displaying vision from the reverse camera,

which is standard equipment across the entire, 300-series range. A further three, optional camera inputs can also be connected. We do believe that the sound system could benefit from better speakers, even tradies value a premium sound experience. On the road the four-litre engine was nimble and quite punchy considering it was loaded to a gross weight of 3754kgs. Smooth and remarkably quiet in operation, the engine gelled well with the six-speed auto to collaborate and agree on sensible operating parameters, keeping the whole show rolling and working the engine within the range of 2000-3000 rpm, a speed at which the engine seemed to perform at its best. Only at infrequent times did the transmission embark on fruitless hunting of gears between fifth and sixth in an

www.truckandbus.net.au 035

argumentative tug of war between trying to achieve optimal fuel economy or best performance. During these conditions (usually in an 80km/h speed zone), we found it best to make use of the OD lock button, located on the gear lever, to lock out top gear. This eliminated the hunting and yielded better performance while maintaining smoother operation and consistent road speed. With the exception of the abovementioned foible, the transmissions behaviour was floorless during our test, to offer a relaxed and unstressed driving experience. To keep speed in check, the 300-series 616 is equipped with a single stage exhaust brake, located on the left side steering column stalk. The deceleration offered was considerable, and the transmissions shift response to the exhaust brake activation was harmoniously effective to bring speed down to the desired level, reducing the reliance on the foot brake and thereby reducing associated maintenance and service costs to the braking system. A new 4.2-inch Multi-Information Display (MID) is found between the speedo and tacho gauges on the dashboard, to display various vehicle operation and maintenance data, emission control system status, fuel use and trip statistics. These menu functions are easily navigable via the steering

036 www.truckandbus.net.au

wheel buttons, as is the cruise control and phone operation. The LDWS worked as expected on well-marked roads, offering an audible reminder if you were to drift from your marked lane. Thankfully the AEB system didn’t get a test run. We have however experienced a simulated AEB test, from the cabin on Hino’s test circuit in Hamura, Japan, under controlled conditions. For that test, the truck did pull up without any driver assistance and did not run into the simulated obstacle, so we’ll assume that if the unthinkable were to happen, the AEB system would intervene, appropriately. The 300-series 616 complies to euro five emission standards achieved via EGR and DPR (Diesel Particulate Reduction) technologies. To compliment the system, a dash mounted manual DPR button is fitted for peace of mind. At the conclusion of our test period, keeping in mind the weight of the Hino 300-series (3754kgs), over mixed driving conditions the 616 showed a fuel consumption figure of 14lts/100km. In the grand scheme of things this fuel usage would not be that far in excess of a heavily laden Japanese-based diesel ute, though with the 300-series Hino tray back, all that gear is a whole lot easier to fit in.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 $7.50 including GST

NEW

HINO 300 SHOGUN TEST DRIVE UD CRONER ON THE ROAD

TECH KNOW REFRIGERATION UNIT MAINTENANCE

TRUCK DEVELOPMENT

HINO IS PUSHING THE ENVELOPE With the introduction of the updated 300 Series range, Hino is pushing the envelope on what light duty truck buyers can expect as standard on a truck that they buy.

ino has delivered a new level of features and performance at the lower end weight range with the release of its 300 Series light duty truck. The new range features what Hino terms as SmartSafe – a comprehensive safety package with advanced driver-assist technology that takes an active focus in protecting the life of drivers, passengers and other road users. This launch continues a number of initiatives which Hino has taken in recent years to stay ahead of the game. The truck maker has long been the number two in sales in the Australian truck market and continues to outrank its rivals, especially Isuzu, at every new iteration of its models. As we saw with the new 500 Series last year, Hino has access to all of the latest sophisticated safety systems from the Toyota catalogue and is introducing state-of-the-art safety systems to keep

DIESEL September-October 2020

the models ahead of all of their Japanese rivals in electronics sophistication. The kind of equipment now being included in a small Hino truck is comparable to the kind of safety system we are seeing fitted in the latest top of the range European heavy duty prime mover, where the development costs of such systems can be absorbed into the cost of a much more expensive bit of kit. “Hino SmartSafe includes a PreCollision System (PCS) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection (PD) and Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), in addition to the already extensive list of standard safety features such as Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Reverse Camera,” says Daniel Petrovski, Manager of Product Strategy for Hino Australia. “At Hino, we have lifted the bar in regards to the standard safety specifications that Australian customers should expect from a Japanese-built

truck. Starting in 2011, the Hino 300 Series was the first Japanese-built light duty truck to include the life-saving feature of VSC. “Similarly, Hino was also the first Japanese manufacturer to offer VSC and PCS in the medium-duty market, with the launch of the new 500 Series Standard Cab in early 2019. It should come as no surprise that we have continued with this trend, by introducing Hino SmartSafe and choosing the most comprehensive safety package available for our new 300 Series models.” The Pre-Collision System has a forward facing camera and radar to detect potential collisions with another vehicle, or a pedestrian. It continuously scans the road in front of the truck and is particularly useful in avoiding nose-to-tail collisions. The PCS detects the vehicle ahead and an algorithm continuously calculates risk of a collision and will warn the

TRUCK DEVELOPMENT

The 721 is fitted with the five litre J05E-UJ engine with 205hp (151kW) on tap with 600Nm (442 ft lb) of torque.

driver both audibly and visually if a collision is deemed to be likely. In the eventuality of the driver not reacting to the warning, PCS can apply emergency braking to reduce speed and avoid a collision. Other safety features include dual SRS airbags, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and UN ECE R-29 cab strength certification. The inclusion of this safety suite does up the ante in this sector of the truck market, but from the outside, the trucks look little changed with an update on the grille giving the game away, hiding the fact that there is a lot more going on under the skin.

introduction of the new 721 model. The 721 is fitted with the 5-litre J05EUJ engine with 205hp (151kW) on tap with 600Nm (442 ft lb) of torque. This power unit is matched to the six-speed double overdrive automatic transmission, with a towing capacity of 3.5 tonnes. The range also includes the current 4-litre N04C engine which puts out 150hp (110kW) of power, with torque rated at 420Nm (310 ft lb), also available coupled with the automatic transmission. This is the engine choice

in the 616 models, which come in standard, wide and crew cab variants. These models can also be specified at a car license GVM of 4.5 tonnes or a light rigid licensed 5.5-tonne GVM. If the 616 model is specified with the manual option, also a six-speed double overdrive box, the power rating available is higher at 165hp (121kW) with 464Nm (342 ft lb) of torque on tap. There are also four models available as a hybrid. Hino is still the only truck supplier of this technology in Australia and the company is set on persisting with it. The four models are the 616 standard and wide cabs, the 716 wide cab and the 916, which has a GVM of 8.5 tonnes, taking it into medium duty truck territory. Technical changes to the hybrid system have seen the engine go to Euro6 emission levels by using improved fuel injection, EGR, a DPF and SCR. The battery in the new truck is around 25kg lighter than the last generation. Hino does not expect to increase the numbers sold, which currently run at around 50 per year. On the new hybrid, the common-rail injected engine produces 150hp and 470Nm of torque, which is delivered, in combination with the electric motor, from as low as 1000rpm. “When maximum torque is available at such low rpm, fuel use is minimised,” says Daniel. “The revised automated

IMPROVED PERFORMANCE As Hino releases the new 300 Series Light duty truck, there is also an improvement in performance from the new trucks, with a new model being introduced for those looking for even more oomph. Hino claims to offer Australia’s most powerful Japanese-built light duty truck range and this claim has been further advanced with the

Inside the cabin the driver now has access to the multimedia unit introduced by Hino in the 500 Series launch last year.

www.dieselnews.com.au

TRUCK DEVELOPMENT

transmission is now a six-speed instead of the five-speed in the previous model and is coupled directly to the electric motor. “The additional gear and the wider ratio spread enable the engine to spend longer in its most efficient rpm, resulting in maximum driving efficiencies. The hybrid system continuously seeks to supplement the diesel power delivery with electric power into the driveline. It is constantly switching between diesel engine drive only; a combination of both electric motor and diesel engine drive; and can also use electric drive only in certain situations.” Inside the cabin the driver now has access to the multimedia unit introduced by Hino in the 500 Series launch last year. This includes a 6.5 inch touch screen which gives the driver access to the high level of functionality available. The system can be connected to four cameras, as well as a full suite of radio, music streaming and phone connectivity. The system runs on the Android platform and many apps are currently available. More should come on stream in the future, which can run or monitor various functions in the truck or for the driver. These include items like connections to tyre pressure

DIESEL September-October 2020

monitoring systems. Further options can be expected to appear in the next couple of years. Overall, most of the changes to the 300 Series introduced this time around by Hino are little more than an update. However, it is the introduction of a comprehensive suite of cutting-edge safety systems which tells us this is more than just a facelift. It is a statement of intent from the Japanese truck maker.

These changes also make this new model launch a likely precursor to many truck launches we may expect in the future. It is likely that the number of changes in the hard metal of a truck will become less important, while a major step forward may simply be upgrading electronic hardware, or software. Or even improved integration and co-operation between existing systems.

July 2021

PFD Food Services Cold Comforts

JULY 2021 $11.00

ISSN 1838-2320

9 771838 232000

Industry Fleet: Everson’s Food Processors Feature: Booth Transport Showcase: Chain of Responsibility Personality: Velocity Vehicle Group

Innovation Fleet: STG Global Feature: Palm Trans Test Drive: Scania P 280 Delivery: RAM 1500 DT

T H E P E O P L E & P R O D U C T S T H AT M A K E T R A N S P O RT M OV E AUSTRALIA’S GUIDE TO UTES, VANS, LIGHT TRUCKS & PEOPLE MOVERS

Delivery Magazine inside: Pages 61-69.

MAGAZINE

COLD

COMF 24

july 2021

FORTS PFD Food Services ranks safety as a prime criteria in its decision to trial some of the latest Hino trucks.

pr imemover mag.com.au

he PFD Food Services story goes back to 1943 and today the company is a major provider with a broad range of dry goods, frozen and chilled products, fresh seafood and meat, confectionery, paper products and cleaning solutions mostly delivered direct to businesses associated with the food service industry. The clients of PFD are spread across a spectrum of venues where people need to eat, including clubs, pubs and hotels, cafes, airlines, restaurants, mines, aged care and retirement villages, resorts and theme parks, convenience outlets, venue and ﬁeld caterers, fast food outlets, schools and kindergartens, and sporting, child care and even correctional facilities. One of the strengths of the PFD operation is its employment of its own transport division utilising company owned vehicles and company employed drivers.

Steve Wright is PFD Food Services’ National Fleet Manager and has been with the company for around 25 years. When he started there PFD was still at the time a very much Victorian-based organisation. The company has since grown to be operating at 68 sites with a strong regional presence spread right across Australia. Steve has grown with it, progressing from manually unloading refrigerated containers into warehousing and store roles which also included maintenance work on equipment such as forklifts. Steve has been in charge of the company’s fleet comprising of around 750 light and medium duty trucks for the past decade. When he moved into fleet management Steve found that the fleet at the time was ageing and subject to numerous breakdowns and the resultant expensive repair bills.

±7EJIX] MW MQTSVXERX RSX SRP] XS QI EW E ¾IIX manager but it’s also of vital importance to the company. You have to be not just seen to be doing the right thing, you have to be actually doing it.” Steve Wright National Fleet Manager, PFD Food Services

Hino 300 Series at a PFD depot in Melbourne. 26

july 2021

“I recall we had 18 truck engine failures in the six months prior to me taking on this position,” says Steve. “In the ten plus years I’ve been in the role we haven’t lost anywhere near that number in total.” Enthusiastic about the technical and mechanical aspects of his job involving trucks, bodies and refrigeration units, Steve follows through during his own time by tuning drag racing vehicles and

racing motorcycles with his sons. When the new Hino 300 Series was launched in mid-2020 PFD was one of the ﬁrst ﬂeets to take delivery of them with three currently operating in Tasmania. PFD also has had two Hino 500 Series Standard Cabs operating in Victoria during the past 12 months. Hino lays claim to offering Australia’s safest light-duty Japanese trucks, due mainly to the technology associated

with Hino SmartSafe system. Hino SmartSafe is a comprehensive safety package with a suite of advanced driver assistance technologies which provide an active focus on protecting drivers and passengers as well as other road users. The standard ﬁtting of the extensive suite of safety features were a major contributing factor in the decision to trial the Hino models in the PFD ﬂeet. “Ten years ago I probably would have

fought against buying Hinos but with today’s safety focus there is pressure to change that thinking,” he says. “Part of my own success has been due to people who didn’t want to take on change, or embrace the future, or embrace safety. They’ve made themselves redundant, so to speak. Safety is important not only to me as a ﬂeet manager but it’s also of vital importance to the company. You have to be not just seen to be doing

Steve Wright PFD Food Services National Fleet Manager.

COVER STORY

the right thing, you have to be actually doing it.” The Hino SmartSafe package integrates features such as the Pre-Collison System (PCS) which detects the possibility of a collision with a vehicle in front by using a combination of radar and image sensors and providing warnings to the driver. If the driver doesn’t react the truck’s brakes are applied autonomously. The system operates in a similar manner if a pedestrian is detected in front of the truck. Steve has become an agent of change and is quick to recognise that certain procedures are no longer appropriate even though they may have been acceptable even just ﬁve years ago. “I see the technology, things like the collision avoidance systems and electronic stability control they’ve got in their trucks now, and that can’t be ignored,” he says. Telematics also play an important role in 28

“We changed our whole driver culture based on our telematics system and essentially rewrote the company policy. Due to constant monitoring, drivers can no longer speed undetected and speeding violations are minimal.” Steve Wright National Fleet Manager, PFD Food Services

the management of the PFD ﬂeet which has resulted in signiﬁcant improvements in the safety aspects coupled with a measurable rise in fuel savings. “We changed our whole driver culture based on our telematics system and essentially rewrote the company policy,” Steve says. “Due to constant monitoring, drivers can no longer speed undetected and speeding violations are minimal.” Compliance in terms of fatigue management and vehicle maintenance is managed by PFD’s in-house health and safety team who regularly audit all

sites. Food safety is also a vital element in PFD’s business and all branches have an approved HACCP Plan (food safety program) to ensure all of the products supplied to its customers are safe and meet food safety requirements. An indication of the exceptional rigour of PFD’s food safety program has been demonstrated by the company being awarded the National HACCP Award for a Multi-site, Low Risk Company on two occasions. Steve runs the big ﬂeet on principles similar to those applied by vehicle

july 2021

nsed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

Licensed by Copyr

leasing companies, which sees the majority of servicing carried out by the manufacturer’s dealerships. All work has to be authorised via a formal work order issued by the fleet office which has access to comprehensive vehicle data such as whether the truck is still covered by warranty, and when was the last time a component, such as the clutch, was changed. Because of PFD’s national and regional footprint it is vital that any provider of major equipment such as trucks has a similar operational spread of dealers. Due to the large number of PFD branches and the nature of their operations, most PFD delivery vehicles work mostly in their own local area and do not register high annual kilometres. Consequently, trucks are able to remain active in the fleet for up to ten years due to their rigorous service regimes. “If you asked me what used to motivate me to buy a particular brand of truck I’d

say it was the brand’s service network which was always the first thing because we’ve got so many branches and most are regionally based,” Steve says. “After that was the price and the product. Now it’s probably about safety, which may not have been mentioned ten years ago.” One metric which PFD uses to measure its fleet’s efficiency is the cost per kilometre to run a truck, and with a total of 32 million kilometres driven each year, it’s something which Steve and his team have been able to significantly reduce over the past decade. Steve has an interest in electric vehicles but maintains some reservations about the kind of impact the running of refrigeration units will have on compromising an electric truck’s operational range with current battery technology. There is also consideration of the additional weight of the batteries. Most of the PFD vehicles are fitted

right Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

with purpose built refrigerated bodies with multiple temperature zones and incorporate specialised insulation to assist in maintaining stable internal temperatures in an application which involves multiple door openings during each shift. “Our fridge bodies are heavy. Equivalent size curtainsider bodies probably weigh nearly as much as a fridge unit on its own,” he explains. “We typically reach 60 per cent of our Gross Vehicle Mass with the truck still empty.” Other than those reservations concerning the practicality of electric vehicles using the currently available batteries, Steve is an enthusiastic supporter of evolving truck technology. “The more technology that becomes available in terms of things like trucks and telematics, the more I can see what the ﬂeet is doing and how it’s behaving,” he says. “This should always inﬂuence how we operate.”

Prime Mover February, 2021

TORQUE OF THE TOWN

The Hino 721 is a new entry into the latest Hino 300 Series range which has expanded to now include more than 60 models.

he disruption of 2020 hasn’t held Hino back from launching its new 300 Series into the Australian market. According to Hino Australia, the 300 Series range represents almost 60 per cent of its sales volumes each year. One particular model, which has already captured much attention, is the Wide Cab 721 — available in either 3,500mm or 3,800mm wheelbases accommodating nominal body lengths of 5.0m and 5.4m. The 721 Crew Cab version sits on a 4,400mm wheelbase. The Hino 721 occupies a position in the market Hino hadn’t really

catered for in previous models and opens up many opportunities in the 6.5 tonne Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) class for tradespeople and purchasers such as local councils. The 721 is available with a true automatic transmission matched to the most powerful and highest torque engine in its class. The 721 is also available with a passenger car licence rating GVM of 4,495kg for applications not requiring the maximum payload capability, yet still with the same 3,500kg towing capacity as the 6.5 tonne version. �� which develops an impressive 205hp

(151kW) and 600Nm of torque which is the highest torque of any Japanese-built light-duty truck sold in Australia. The engine meets Euro V emission standards by employing exhaust gas recirculation combined with a diesel particulate �� The engine is matched to the sixspeed double overdrive full automatic transmission that also provides the option of manual sequential shifting, with an activation button located on the selector lever for drivers who prefer to take control of the gears. Standard Cab customers can also choose a Hino

febr uar y 2021

Licensed by Copyri

The updated grille and daytime running lamps distinguishes the Hino 300 Series from its predecessor.

�� Cab customers, a Hino six-speed manual gearbox option is available. Hino is currently the only Japanese truck �� full automatic transmission in the lightduty sector. The automatic transmission �� to the design of the torque converter, including its lock-up function. The shift logic has been changed and results in improved drivability, transmission kickdown and hill climbing performance while �� Across the latest Hino 300 Series 4x2 range numerous safety features are incorporated such as driver and passenger SRS airbags, the energyabsorbing steering wheel, traction control, ABS braking with disc brakes on all wheels and Vehicle Stability Control. What sets the new Hino 300 Series apart is the enhanced mantle of safety provided by the introduction of Hino SmartSafe suite of safety features which includes a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection (PD) and

Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS). PCS can detect a vehicle in front using both radar and image sensors and if the PCS detects the possibility of a collision, it can warn the driver via both visual and audible alerts. If the system continues to determine the possibility of a collision, it can autonomously apply the brakes to mitigate damage or even avoid the collision. PCS also includes pedestrian detection and is essentially the same system which was introduced as standard equipment on the medium-duty Hino 500 Series models in early 2019. Daytime running lamps along with the PCS radar in the bumper and an updated grille help to distinguish the new Hino 300 Series from its predecessor. The 300 Series cab has been tested to the UN �� features narrow A-pillars which ensure an almost uninterrupted forward view. Combined with the mirrors and the high �� vision for improved safety when manoeuvring the vehicle. The driver’s seat in the Wide Cab models has torsion-bar suspension with adjustable damping and is mounted on inclined rails to make adjustments easy

ight Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

across a broad range to physically suit almost any driver and provide a high level of comfort with reduced fatigue. The extensive seat adjustments are complemented by the tilt and telescopic movements of the steering wheel and column. The Hino multimedia-unit on the truck’s �� touch screen and is the familiar standard �� The unit has AM/FM radio and DAB+ digital radio as well as USB input and Bluetooth music streaming capability plus mobile phone connectivity with voice dialing. The main screen is complemented by the 4.2 inch LCD multi-information display located in the instrument cluster, which provides the driver with a range of vehicle operational, maintenance and performance data. The multi-information display is accessed using controls mounted on the steering wheel and allows the driver to scroll through the various menus. The example of the 721 provided for testing is an example of the ‘Built to Go’ range which Hino has developed �� Narrow A-pillars have improved the view.

d e l i ve r y m a g a z i n e . c o m . a u

Prime Mover

December, 2020

Hino Hybrid delivers the goods at North Entrance.

POWER T R I P The Hino 300 Series Hybrid is Australia’s only light-duty hybrid electric-diesel truck.

ybrid vehicle technology has reached a significant level of maturity in recent years. The latest Hino Hybrid benefits from a number of changes to the original hybrid drive system which had been used since the first model was launched in Australia in 2007. The 2020 Hino 300 Series Hybrid features a number of changes to the hardware and operational software system of the parallel electricdiesel hybrid driveline with the intention of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions, while also reducing weight. Electricity is stored in the Toyota Groupsourced nickel metal hydride battery, which is similar to what is used in over 15 million hybrid vehicles worldwide. 50

december 2020

The battery itself has been reduced in size but retains its 6.5 Amp Hour (AH) rating. The Power Control Unit (PCU) manages the battery, inverter, Engine Control Unit (ECU) and DC-DC Converter and has been redesigned for lighter weight and more compactness, resulting in a weight saving of 28 kgs. The hybrid system continuously seeks to supplement the delivery of diesel power with electric power and is constantly switching between diesel engine drive only; a combination of both electric motor and diesel engine drive; and can also utilise electric drive only in certain situations. The Hybrid battery is charged from the regenerative braking system through kinetic energy capture when the vehicle

is coasting. This also acts as an effective auxiliary brake and slows the vehicle and results in a signiﬁcant increase in brake pad life and further reduces whole of life costs of the truck. The Hino 4.0 litre N04C-WR four cylinder turbo-diesel engine has common rail injection and produces 150hp (110kW). The electric motor contributes a further 47 hp (35kW) and the maximum 470Nm of torque is delivered in combination with the electric motor from a very low 1,000 rpm. Euro 6 emissions standards are achieved by the use of a combination of Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR), a Diesel Particulate Active Reduction Filter (DPR) system, and the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system which uses

AdBlue stored in the 13 litre tank. Diesel tank capacity is 100 litres in the Standard Cab models and 80 litres in the Wide Cab variants. Hybrid models are available in four versions from the 616 Standard and Wide Cab car-licenced models, through to the 716 Wide Cab and the 916 Wide Cab, which has a maximum Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of 8.5 tonnes. The new Hino Hybrid employs a six speed automated manual transmission, up from the ﬁve speed used previously and is coupled directly to the electric motor. The additional gear and the wider ratio spread enables the diesel engine to spend more time in its most efﬁcient rpm range. From the driver’s perspective the hybrid operates exactly as does a regular dieselpowered truck of a similar size. The AMT noticeably performs its shifts slower than the full automatic in a conventionally powered Hino 616, but power delivery is smooth and it can be left to the electronics to select the correct ratio rather than manually over-riding using the selector lever. Approximately 600 Hino Hybrids are currently operating in Australia. Suitable applications are varied and include dry van and refrigerated delivery applications such as the test unit provided for our assessment. Hino Hybrids have also found favour operating in city and regional council vocational applications such as rear loader waste, parks and gardens service, and tippers. The Hino Hybrid models feature SmartSafe, the same comprehensive suite of safety features found in all new Hino 300 Series vehicles, with advanced driver assistance technology which takes an active role in protecting the life of drivers, passengers and other road users. SmartSafe incorporates a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection (PD) and Lane Departure

Hino 4.0 litre N04C-WR four cylinder turbo-diesel engine has common rail injection.

The nickel metal hydride battery maintains a 6.5 AH rating.

Warning System (LDWS). The SmartSafe system complements Hino’s existing safety package which includes Vehicle Stability Control, dual SRS airbags, fourwheel ABS disc brakes, UN ECE R-29 cab strength certiﬁed and a hill start function. The reversing camera has infrared night vision displayed on the 6.5-inch multimedia unit which is also capable of connecting an additional three cameras and has AM/FM radio, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth music streaming and mobile phone connectivity with voice dialling. The Hino 300 Series Hybrid is the ﬁrst Japanese-manufactured light truck

available in Australia which meets Euro 6 exhaust emission standards. This will add further appeal to fleets wanting to minimise their carbon footprints. Hino claim the new 300 Series Hybrid has shown fuel efficiency improvements of 21 per cent when compared to its dieselonly counterpart. The latest model can be expected to deliver even better efficiencies due to the changes in the weight and operation of components associated with the hybrid drive as well as from the six speed transmission, all of which contribute to the Hybrid’s whole-of-life financial proposition. pr imemover mag.com.au

TESTING THE The new Hino 300 Series range was released earlier this year with a lot of new features included in the truck as standard. PowerTorque takes a selection of the new models out on the road to see just how all of this new technology works together.

NEW ON THE ROAD

he pace of change, when it comes to technology being included in trucks, is accelerating all of the time. Another transformation which is increasing is a reduction in the time-lag between the introduction of new sophisticated technologies in heavy duty trucks to when they are introduced in the light and medium duty market segments. As a result of these changes, Australia has seen the amount of high-tech included in light duty trucks increase exponentially in recent years. You only need to go back 10 years to see basic Japanese light duty trucks on the Australian market with only manual gearboxes, and minimal electronic sophistication. Yet 2020 sees these new Hinos available with the kind of high-tech which has only recently come online in the most sophisticated, and not all, by any means, heavy duty prime movers on our roads. There has clearly been a paradigm shift in this market and truck manufacturers are rushing to utilise the latest technology to make their trucks the most sophisticated they can be. The first thing to note when you look at the vehicle is that it doesn’t look that different. Japanese truck designers are by their very nature conservative, so model upgrades invariably involve low-key changes in small details and tweaks to parts of the design. That is the certainly the case with the new series, which brings the Hino right up to date without modifying it too much.

HINO OUT ON THE ROAD One of the models tested was the 721 model which has the 205 hp Hino J05E-UJ

5.12 litre engine. This truck is specified at a GVM of 6.5 tonnes while the engine puts out its 205 hp (151kW) with a torque rating of 600 Nm. All of this drives through a six-speed automatic gearbox which benefits from the torquey engine, where maximum torque is available between 1500 and 2250 rpm. This truck can only be described as a bit of a ‘flyer’ as it reacts well to any pressure from the right foot. This gives the transmission plenty of leeway and

there is plenty of get up and go available to the driver’s right foot at any time in this kind of setup. This five litre engine performs well and is aided by the fact that the engine rpm at 100 km an hour is 1994 rpm, couple this with the maximum torque available from 1500 rpm all of the way to 2250 rpm. With this much torque available, this goes someway in explaining the sprightly performance. The transmissions in the 300 Series

POWERTORQUE January/February 2021

y Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

Licensed by Copyr

300

models are both manual and automatic, but the auto is going to be the go-to for most of the truck buyers. On the larger trucks in the range the six-speed fully automatic transmission is a double overdrive. On some models the auto is the only option. Driving these autos gives the driver a clear indication as to why the auto option has become virtually standard. The modern auto in a small truck performs seamlessly and offers improved torque characteristics, when compared to the

manual option. We have seen major improvements in the software and sensors controlling what is going on in the mysterious interior of the transmission, to the point where, even the best drivers would struggle to match the consistency of performance. The transmission in the hybrid model is a six-speed AMT with a single overdrive and, from the driver’s seat, this doesn’t perform quite as smoothly as the pure diesel, fully auto models. The

right Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

Power Torque February, 2021

gear changing seems quite ponderous at low speeds. Surprisingly it seems to be a little more positive when the Eco button is pressed. Hino in Japan has decided that although the diesel engine should be married to a fully automatic box, when it comes to the hybrid, with its mixture of diesel and electrical power, that the best transmission is an automated one and not the fully automatic offered elsewhere in the 300 Series.

www.powertorque.com.au

Experience over the twenty years over which the automatic has slowly, but surely, taken over in the light and medium duty truck market, has told us that although the AMT performs really well at the heavier end of the market, the automatic transmission is proving to be more effective below 25 tonnes GCM. As a rule, the Japanese truck makers who thrive in this part of the truck market have gone the course with the AMT, but later found the auto to be a safer option. To get the best out of a hybrid setup, the driver never needs to floor the accelerator. But pushing gently with the right foot can sometimes induce the transmission to change too early, and from the point of view of the driver’s ears, it seems to struggle. This seems to be connected to the way the transmission control system communicates with the computer controlling the balance in hybridisation of the driveline. There is some logic here, the electric motor has full torque available from zero rpm, this means it can pull up from a very low level at low speeds. It just seems that the diesel engine is struggling just a little to get the kind of performance a driver would normally expect. Of course, the pay off would be that driving like this and keeping the rpm levels so low will give

the operator plenty of payback in terms of fuel consumption. The hybrid does perform some really effective fuel saving tricks to get the best out of the system. Driving it from unloading point to unloading point at an industrial area, it was possible to travel on electric power only. The revs dropped to 400 rpm and the truck moved, virtually, silently from A to B. This is where this technology really comes into its own. A careful driver in a city centre or large industrial estate could get around and get delivery and collection work done with hardly any fuel being used.

INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE HINO 300 One of the traditional design features which Hino has kept in the cabin as they modernise the design, is the big gearstick. The controller for the auto transmission is in the same position and takes up as much room as the manual stick. As already mentioned, the auto is excellent and the driver does not need to intervene, apart from engaging reverse or parking the truck up. So, why does the controller have to take up so much room? Moving the controller to a button pad on the dash or a small stalk on the steering column would free up some real estate in

the middle of the cab and make cross-cab access much less problematic. To most intents and purposes, it is just somewhere to rest the left hand while driving. From the driver’s seat the controls are easy and intuitive. To the right of the steering column is the cruise control stalk. The stalk to the left controls the information screen directly in front of the driver. This information screen gives the driver an idea that they are dealing with something a little more sophisticated than we have seen in Japanese trucks before. In terms of the information screen design, over the years the Japanese have given into their innate conservatism and designed simple screens which look like they may have been something out of the 70s, even though they were the interface between the driver and some sophisticated 21st-century electronic systems. Now Hino have got with the program and are using an information screen which looks like something out of 2020. This is a feature which makes these new Hino trucks, visually, getting closer to looking as modern as the European and North American trucks which are emerging onto the truck market. The larger information screen to the left of the steering wheel is part of what used

POWERTORQUE January/February 2021

ensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

Licensed by Co

to be called an entertainment system but is now so much more. The enhancements are coming thick and fast in this area and it can sometimes be difficult to keep up. Apart from a radio, an MP3 player, navigation system and reversing camera, there is much more which can be included on these systems. Being based on the Android operating system means apps can be developed to do specific tasks. One of the simpler ones available is a tyre pressure monitor interface on this screen, connecting to pressure monitors on the wheels. Similar to the information screen in the middle of the dash, this larger screen does look more modern than its predecessors, but will still need a redesign relatively soon judging by progress being made by other truck manufacturers in bringing smooth intuitive design to the driver/ truck interface. Looking further afield from the driver’s seat, the all-round visibility is excellent, as we have come to expect from Hino. The interior finishing is also well up to the standard. This set of models is something different, especially in an area like light duty trucks. The number of safety systems available as standard has grown in recent years, but this 300 Series does make a quantum leap.

The transmission in the hybrid model is a six-speed AMT with a single overdrive.

Standard on these trucks we have Vehicle Stability control, ABS, a PreCollision System (including Autonomous Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection), Lane Departure Warning system, plus a number of other items we would normally expect like ABS, reversing camera, daytime running lamps and so on. To say this is a comprehensive list is a little bit of an understatement. Look at the specification

opyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

sheet for a top level European prime mover in our market and all of the systems may be available, but not very often are they all fitted as standard. This is where Hino have made the quantum leap. As has been the case for a few years now, a new model being launched onto the Australian market by Hino is not just an upgrade, but a statement, and a challenge to their competitors to match their offer. This set of models is something different, especially in an area like light duty trucks.

www.powertorque.com.au

ALL THE RIGHT Prime Mover May, 2021

Why go to the trouble and expense of buying, when you can rent? It’s a proposition fast appealing to a changing consumer market and one Thrifty seeks to master in its endeavours to become the best rental company in Australia.

d by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

Licensed by

MOVES T

Murari Rijal, Thrifty Caringbah Finance Director.

y Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

he capital investment and operating costs of commercial vehicles are a major factor in the sustained growth of the rental vehicle industry, as regular and casual users take advantage of the ‘as needed’ proposition rather than going through the process of purchasing an expensive vehicle which they may only require the occasional use of. In recent years Thrifty has emerged as a genuine competitor in the burgeoning commercial vehicle rental market. Fully owned by the NRMA (National Roads and Motorist’s Association) and operated by a number of franchisees, Thrifty’s vision is to be the best vehicle rental company in Australia and not necessarily the largest. The organisation aims to achieve this by offering its customers the best service, the best rates and the best experience. The NRMA’s ownership of Thrifty provides a degree of confidence to customers knowing they are dealing with one of Australia’s most trusted and reliable brands. Murari Rijal operates a Thrifty franchise from a base in the Sydney suburb of Caringbah which now extends to include 28 branches throughout New South Wales. Originally from Kathmandu in Nepal, Murari may describe himself as a ‘corporate tax accountant’ yet he brings to the business a diverse background including working for the BBC as a financial reporter, owning and managing a retail bakery franchise and as a niche importer of fine crystal homewares. As with any business, the attention to customer requirements and effective cost management are two key elements in determining whether the operation becomes a success or a failure. “If you compromise the quality of the customer service then you compromise

Hino commercial vehicles are preferred for their automatic torque converter transmissions.

the long term success of the business.” Murari says. “You have to put your feet in the customers’ shoes to the point of performing a cost analysis from their point of view.” That attitude, which permeates through the staff at all levels, has seen the total ﬂeet size of passenger and commercial vehicles grow from 1,300 in 2013 to 3,500 of which almost 1,000 are classiﬁed now as commercial vehicles. Based on customer feedback, Murari One of 100 new Hino units Thrifty has purchased already in 2021.

“I go to Hino because I want a fully automatic ¾IIX ² Murari Rijal Caringbah Thrifty Franchise Operater

finds that Caringbah customers’ requirements are, for example, different from those in the Hunter region and it is crucial business-wise to find what is important to each. Thrifty truck rental customers can be diverse but are usually local businesses and couriers. Increasingly, the customer profile has included people who want to move “home” themselves rather than going to the expense of engaging professional removalists to relocate their furniture and household effects. A lot of growth in the business has come from Sydney’s newer suburbs where families are frequently moving into freshly constructed houses after moving out from residential areas closer to the city. Following their move to the outer suburbs up to a third will relocate again within a few years, providing repeat opportunities for truck rentals. The potential of this opportunity for

m ay 2 0 2 1

ed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

more sustained business has led to Murari establishing branches closer to these emergent residential areas. “It’s important to have a branch nearby to return the vehicles to,” he says. “After moving they’ll be tired after a hard day and may have family to consider, so they don’t want to be getting an Uber back home after returning the truck across to the other side of the city.” Hino is the brand of choice for the business. During the first half of 2021, more than 100 new Hinos have been ordered, even though the majority are replacements they represent a significant increase in the size of the overall fleet. The relationship with top-level management at Hino is good for both parties and provides benefits for the customer who are the people who actually drive the vehicles with Thrifty serving as the bridge between manufacturer and the customer. “I go to Hino because I want a fully automatic fleet,” says Murari in reference to Hino’s offering of fully automatic torque convertor transmissions. “Most other rental operators keep trucks for five or six years but I only want to keep them for two and half, with a maximum of three years.” At the conclusion of their relatively

SECTION: GENERAL NEWS PRINTED SIZE: 1961.00cm² ITEM ID: 1438508081

ARTICLE TYPE: NEWS ITEM AUDIENCE : 15,000 PAGE: 34 REGION: National MARKET: Australia ASR: AUD 14,683 WORDS: 1134

MAY, 2021

ALL THE RIGHT MOVES

Prime Mover, National Page 4 of 4

short period of being a rental vehicle, the trucks are sold through a small number of select dealers and represent an excellent value proposition for the businesses which subsequently purchase them. Most vehicles are still covered by the balance of the Hino factory warranty which is transferrable to the new owners. The system also leads to the potential of future transactions. “We on-sell many trucks to ‘mum and dad’ businesses because they are less than three years old and are cheaper than buying brand new. As their own business expands, they come to us to hire trucks again, with the likelihood they will ultimately buy an additional ex-Thrifty truck. It’s a long-term strategy and we’ve been doing it for the past three years and its working for us and the customer.” The passenger vehicles in the ﬂeet are kept for a maximum of nine months and may have between 6,000 and 20,000 kilometres showing on their

“It’s a long-term strategy and we’ve been doing it for the past three years and its working for us and XLI GYWXSQIV ² Murari Rijal Caringbah Thrifty Franchise Operater

odometers. Trucks have usually covered 80 to 90,000 kilometres at the time of their disposal. The occasional example may have been subjected to a lot of hires involving interstate trips showing 100,000 kms which leads it to be taken out of service and sold regardless of its age. Murari is also able to provide long term rental leases with the likes of courier companies who appreciate the beneﬁts such as better safety features and fuel economy of new vehicles without the expense of having to purchase them. “We used to do it over ﬁve years but found after three years the operating

costs were getting out of where we wanted them to be,” he says. “These days there are a lot of technological change and everyone wants new trucks.” Considering the frequency of purchasing new vehicles, Government stamp duty can become a big expense and on a $50,000 truck stamp duty can be as much as $1,800 which Murari considers may be one of the reasons some competitors choose to retain an older ﬂeet. “People ask: why do you buy brand new cars and trucks? Because that’s what I do,” he says. “I’m looking at the longterm beneﬁt.”

New New Product Product

Transport & Trucking Australia September, 2021

he henew newtruck truckhas hasbeen beenlaunched launched with withthe theslogan, slogan,‘Built ‘Builtfor for Safety, Safety,Ready Readyfor forAnything’, Anything’, underlining underliningthe thesafety safety credentials credentialsofofthe thenew newtruck. truck. Thenew new300 300Series Seriestrucks trucksfeature featurewhat what The Hinocalls callsits itsSmartSafe SmartSafepackage, package,which which Hino describesasasaa‘comprehensive ‘comprehensivesafety safety ititdescribes packagewith withadvanced advanceddriver-assist driver-assist package technologyfocussing focussingon onprotecting protectingthe thelife life technology drivers,passengers passengersand andother otherroad roadusers’. users’. ofofdrivers, The300 300series seriessafety safetypackage packageincludes includes The Pre-CollisionSystem System(PCS) (PCS)which which itsitsPre-Collision boastsAutonomous AutonomousEmergency EmergencyBraking Braking boasts (AEB),Pedestrian PedestrianDetection Detection(PD), (PD),Lane Lane (AEB),

032www.truckandbus.net.au www.truckandbus.net.au 032

Departure DepartureWarning WarningSystem System(LDWS), (LDWS), Vehicle VehicleStability StabilityControl Control(VSC), (VSC), Reverse Reverse Camera Cameraand andaasuite suiteof of other otherstandard standard safety safetyfeatures. features. Hino Hinotook tookaachance chancewith withthe the500 500 Series Series itit launchedlast lastyear, year,packing packingititfull full of of safety safety launched equipmentas asstandard, standard,betting betting that that the the old old equipment automotivemaxim maxim‘safety ‘safetydoesn’t doesn’t sell’ sell’ had had automotive seenits itsuse useby bydate dateand andfleet fleetbuyers buyers would would seen embraceits itsnew newoffering. offering.Hino Hino was was right right embrace andthe themarket, market,and andin inparticular particular bigger bigger and fleetcustomers customershave haveembraced embraced the the safety safety fleet proposition.The Thecompany companyisisputting putting the the proposition. samestrategy strategyinto intoplay playwith withthe the new new 300 300 same andyou youcan canassume assumethat thatititwill will also also play play and

itit out out with with its its new new 700 700 Series Series due this time in in 2021. 2021. Given Given the the requirements requirements of of the Covid 19 restrictions restrictions the the launch launch for for the the 300 Series was was held held on on Zoom Zoom with with the the trade press tuning into into see see the the new new features features and listen tuning to Hino Hino executives executives explain explain the the strategy to behind the the new new truck. truck. behind Hino’s manager manager of of product product strategy, Hino’s Daniel Petrovski Petrovski said said that that it’s it’s been about Daniel 20 years years since since Hino Hino first first entered entered the light20 duty truck truck market market in in Australia Australia with its duty Dutro model, model, aa truck truck that that morphed morphed over Dutro time into into the the 300 300 Series. Series. time “Dutro at at the the time time was was the the safest light“Dutro

HINO HAS UNVEILED THE LATEST ITERATION OF ITS LIGHT DUTY 300 SERIES MODELS WITH AN INCREASED EMPHASIS ON SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY, FOLLOWING IN THE VEIN OF ITS 500 SERIES, WHICH HAS BEEN A SALES SUCCESS FOR THE JAPANESE BRAND SINCE ITS LAUNCH EARLY LAST YEAR. WE LOGGED ON TO GET THE LOWDOWN ON THE NEW ‘BABY’ HINO AND ITS SAFETY PACKAGE.

duty truck to be launched here and the latest iteration of the 300 Series continues to be class leading in many ways,” said Daniel Petrovski. “At Hino, safety is paramount, and the new 300 Series boasts a list of standard safety features that makes it the safest truck ever offered by a Japanese manufacturer in the Australian light-duty truck market,” he added. The introduction of new 300 models, Hino says will open up new market opportunities for the company in the Australian market. “Over the last 20 years, we have offered

our customers a large range of light-duty models, building an enviable reputation for performance, reliability and safety,” said Daniel Petrovski. Hino has expanded the range to more than 60 models with the choice of standard, wide and wide crew cab variants with both a four-litre and a high horsepower five-litre power plant to choose from, mated to either manual or automatic transmissions, or a new version of the 300 Hybrid. The company emphasised that the 300 is the only light duty Japanese truck to boast a full automatic transmission, in

this case the Aisin six speed, rather than an AMT unit available in Isuzu and Fuso light duty models. “The key advantages associated with a true automatic transmission are superior start-ability and take-off; no torque interruptions between gear shifts resulting in a smoother drive and quicker acceleration; lower whole of life costs and no clutch replacements,” said Daniel Petrovski. “All of these benefits mean car-licenced drivers can easily take the wheel of a lightduty truck. “Currently almost 80 percent of our light duty 4x2 sales are automatics – given the

www.truckandbus.net.au 033

current driver shortage, and the changing market, this is a figure we expect to increase,” he added. The range has also been expanded with the introduction of its new 721 models, featuring the five-litre J05E-UJ engine boasting 205hp and 600Nm of torque, mated to the six-speed double overdrive true automatic transmission, along with a 3.5 tonne towing capacity. “The new 721 opens up many opportunities in the 6.5 tonne GVM class for tradespeople and local councils, with the true automatic transmission matched to the most powerful and highest torque engine in its class,” said Mr Petrovski. Petrovski added that the 721 is available in multiple wheelbases, as well as single and crew cab models and fills an important gap in the market for Hino. “We have listened to our customers, especially councils, who have conveyed to us that the availability of a 6.5 tonne GVM true automatic transmission model is a particularly important factor in their purchasing decision, so it is an area we have focused on,” he added. The new line-up starts with the entry level 616 Standard Single Cab boasting independent front suspension, 4.5 tonne

034 www.truckandbus.net.au

GVM, 8.0 tonne GCM ratings and powered by the four-litre N04C common-rail turbodiesel with 150hp and 420Nm of torque. It’s available with both manual and auto transmission and features towing capacity of up to 3.5 tonne on a car licence. The increased capacity of the automatic has meant the towing limit could be increased from 2.8 tonne to 3.5 tonnes. Along with the Standard cab it is also available in Wide and Crew Cab variants. The 616 Standard Cab can be upgraded to a 5.5 tonne GVM with a light rigid truck licence. Wide Cab models start with the 616 and 617, both of which have a standard GVM of 4.5 tonne for car-licenced operation and can be uprated to 5.5 tonne GVM on a light rigid truck licence. The 616 Wide Cab model comes with the 150hp four-litre N04C engine coupled to the six-speed automatic while the 617 manual gets the 165hp/464 Nm version of the NO4C mated to Hino’s six-speed double overdrive gearbox. Moving up to the 6.5 tonne GVM 716 and 717 Wide Cab models powered by the same four litre engine, with a choice of either the Aisin automatic or a manual transmission available.

The 816 Wide Cab model is equipped with the automatic and is fitted with 17.5inch wheels, higher rated tyres, and axles, which increases the GVM to 8.0 tonnes and boosts the payload offering. The 917 model pokes up into the medium duty sector but retains the four-litre engine mated to the six-speed manual with an 8.5 tonne GVM requiring a medium rigid truck licence, while it can be rated to 7,995kg for light-duty truck customers. The 920 is fitted with the five-litre engine option with a manual transmission and can be registered for a light or medium rigid truck licence, with GVMs of either 8.0 or 8.5 tonnes respectively. The 921 uses the automatic transmission with the high horsepower five-litre engine, delivering 3.5 tonnes towing capacity. It can also be configured with either an 8.0 tonne GVM for light rigid truck licences, or 8.5 tonnes for medium rigid licences. Last but not least, the new Hino Hybrid electric-diesel model has been updated and is available in four variants, starting with the 616 Standard and Wide Cab car-licenced models through to the 716 Wide Cab and the 916 Wide Cab, with a maximum GVM of 8.5 tonne. Daniel Petrovski underlined the safety

“ THE ADDITION OF HINO SMARTSAFE IN THE NEW 300 SERIES WILL REAFFIRM ITS POSITION AS THE SAFEST JAPANESE LIGHT-DUTY TRUCK IN AUSTRALIA”

credentials of the new 300, saying that the foundation of the safety specification is the truck’s Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), which has been a feature of the 300 Series for almost 10 years. “The addition of Hino SmartSafe in the new 300 Series will reaffirm its position as the safest Japanese light-duty truck in Australia,” said Petrovski. If the system determines that a collision is imminent, it can autonomously apply the brakes to minimise the damage or even avoid the collision. “Pedestrian Detection or PD can detect a pedestrian in front of the vehicle - if the system detects a pedestrian, it will warn the driver to apply the brakes using both visual and audible alerts and, if the driver takes no action to avoid a collision, it can autonomously apply the brakes. Petrovski says Hino customers have embraced the active safety system and have been requesting its introduction across other Hino models since its introduction as standard on the 500 Series Standard Cab last year. The company says that 30 per cent of truck crashes are rear end collisions due to driver distraction or inattention. Accitionally the system’s Lane

Departure Warning System (LDWS) alerts the driver visually and audibly if the truck is deviating from its lane without the turn indicators being engaged. Hino says that 40 per cent of truck accidents are as a result of what it describes as ‘off path accidents’, where trucks wander out of their lane or off the road limits. Other features that distinguish the new 300 from its predecessor include Daytime Running Lamps (DRLs) along with the PCS radar in the bumper and an updated grille. “The DRLs are a unique feature for Hino in the light-duty truck segment – they ensure that if headlamps are not turned on in low light conditions, the vehicle will still be seen, adding to the overall safety of the vehicle.” Other carry over safety features from the previous 300 include dual SRS airbags, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). The 300 Series Cab has been tested to the UN ECE R-29 cab strength certification and features narrow A-pillars which ensure a nearly uninterrupted forward view. Forward vision is complemented by heated and electrically operated external mirrors. “When combined with the high

definition waterproof and infrared Reverse Camera, the new 300 Series offers near 360-degree vision for improved safety when manoeuvring the vehicle,” said Petrovski The updated Hybrid models are still Australia’s only electric-diesel hybrid light-duty trucks according to Hino. While the conventional models are Euro 5 compliant, the Hybrids meet Euro 6 emission standards using EGR and DPR combined with SCR. Hino has updated the Hybrid system with changes to hardware and software, aimed at improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. The battery has been reduced in size but retains a 6.5 Amp Hour rating and is still a Toyota Group-sourced nickel metal hydride unit, while the Power Control Unit (PCU), which encompasses the battery, inverter, Engine Control Unit (ECU) and DC-DC Converter, have been redesigned for lighter weight and smaller packaging, resulting in a PCU weight of 85kg, down from 113kg. “The engine and transmission have also been improved with the aim of further fuel consumption reductions,” Petrovski said. The N04C-WR four cylinder commonrail turbo-diesel produces 150hp and

www.truckandbus.net.au 035

HINO’S SUCCESS WITH ITS SAFETY ORIENTED 500 SERIES MODELS IS A TEMPLATE FOR FURTHER SUCCESS WITH THE NEW 300 470Nm of torque, which is delivered in combination with the electric motor from just 1000RPM, while the revised automatic is now a six-speed replacing the five-speed in the previous model and is coupled directly to the electric motor. Hino says the additional ratio and the wider spread of gears enable the engine to spend longer in its most efficient rpm ange, resulting in maximum driving efficiencies. Hino has also improved the interior with comfort and functionality upgrades which it points out are especially important for professional drivers spending so much time behind the wheel. “The interior has been designed with the driver as the central point. An improved dash layout includes a new driver instrument panel with an enlarged and centralised speedometer to improve readability, and a new easy-to-read high contrast 4.2-inch TFT LCD Multi Information Display. “New steering wheel controls operate both the Multi Information Display and the multimedia unit, which features a large 6.5-inch high definition, capacitive touch screen,” said Daniel Petrovski.

An ‘intelligent’ multimedia unit is standard across the entire Hino range and boasts AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth music streaming and mobile phone connectivity with voice dialling as well as being capable of connecting up to four multi-position cameras. It also features an Android operating system, and Wi-Fi connectivity for over-the-air software updates. Options for the multimedia unit include a digital video camera recorder (DVR), tyre pressure monitoring system, and truck-specific satellite navigation that takes into consideration parameters of the truck such as weight and height. All models are fitted with an ergonomically designed fully-adjustable driver’s seat for maximum comfort. “The driver’s seat in the Wide Cab models also feature torsion-bar suspension and a large slide adjustable range on inclined rails, to accommodate varying occupant heights to maximise comfort and reduce driver fatigue,” said Daniel Petrovski. Hino is also trumpeting its Hino Advantage business solutions as another advantage to buyers, offering a suite of

business solutions designed to reduce costs over the life of the vehicle. “Our Hino Advantage solutions include Hino SmartSafe, capped price servicing, telematics, Hino Genuine Parts, 24/7 Hino roadside assist, our finance options, and customer support provisions via our Customer Care Centre,” he continued. All of the new 2020 Hino 300 Series models come with a three years or 100,000km standard warranty (whichever comes first), and the option of extending the warranty to five years. With a boom in last mile delivery as a result of the burgeoning on line ‘e-tail’ market, which has seen so many consumers switching to internet shopping, the arrival of the updated Hino 300 comes at an opportune time, particularly with the growing emphasis on work place health and safety by major fleets and corporate buyers. Hino’s success with its safety oriented 500 Series models is a template for further success with the new 300, but ultimately the market will decide if its safety features will give the light duty Hino a sales boost enough to challenge the market leading Isuzu N series range.

036 www.truckandbus.net.au

Licensed by Copy

TRUCKS ON TEST

Power Torque July, 2021

HOW MUCH

POWER DO YOU NEED? Ask any truck driver a simple question like, how much power do you need? In reply, you will get a variety of answers, but most will amount to a return question, how much power can you give me?

his discussion about how much power you actually need comes to mind when driving the Hino 300 Series 721, which is blessed with more power than is probably necessary, but it does make it great fun to drive. PowerTorque took the 721 on a run up the Pacific Highway from Sydney to Brisbane as part of a review of the finally completed four lane highway between the two state capitals, as promised over 30 years ago by the New

South Wales government. This is not a typical journey which would be handled by a truck like to 721, but it was an opportunity to see just how well this nicely set up 6.5 tonnes GVM truck does perform over a longer period than that usually allowed for light duty truck test drives. The result was a couple of days of extremely relaxed driving in a truck which felt comfortable on the road, comfortable at high speeds and exhibiting a high degree of

safety awareness with its active and passive safety systems. A quick look at the specifications sheet for this truck gives any driver a clue to exactly how this truck is going to perform. With 205hp (151 kW) on tap under the driver’s right foot and 600Nm of torque all driving through a six-speed automatic gearbox and you start to get the idea this truck is a bit of a goer. However, on this test drive the truck was not tested on how it would go in the race against its opposition, but instead,

POWERTORQUE July/August 2021

yright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

it was about how having bags of power and torque in your back pocket means that driving in traffic and out on the open highway can be a very comfortable and easy task, when compared to trucks working at the limit of their horsepower and torque. This truck was loaded, but never felt like it was working hard. Hino does seem to see horsepower and torque as a bit of a race, as it has consistently specified trucks in this segment with horsepower and torque levels above those of the fierce rivals in this market sector, Isuzu and Fuso. Looking at the nearest equivalent in the Isuzu range, the NPR 65/45–190, rated at 6.5 tonnes GVM, comes in at 188hp (140 kW) at 2,600 rpm. When it comes

to the torque rating it sits at 530 Nm (378 ft lb) at between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm. This rating for the Isuzu is achieved with a five litre engine with a similar displacement to the J05E-UJ engine fitted to the Hino 721. There is no exact equivalent Fuso Canter to compare directly with the 721 from Hino, but the Canter 615, gets 110kW at 2840 to 3500rpm out of a three litre engine, which is quite an achievement, but doesn’t match the 721’s numbers. Even the 7.5 tonnes GVM Canter sees Fuso persevere with the three litre engine at a similar rating. Looking at these figures demonstrates that the Hino designers have decided to push the envelope when it comes to

power and torque in small trucks. As a result of this level of specification the Hino trucks do feel great from the drivers seat, there is always enough available to the drivers right foot when needed. Alongside this high-level specifications in terms of engine power, Hino is also leading the way in terms of integrated safety systems being fitted as standard on a truck. The other brands are catching up, but Hino were first in the space in fitting a full suite of safety systems as standard. We already had anti-lock braking system and vehicle stability control, but this has now been added to with the pre-collision system. This PCS has two aspects aspects to it,

www.powertorque.com.au

first is the autonomous emergency braking and second is the pedestrian detection capability. On this particular test, this driver was not game enough to actually try and test out the systems on the road, but has done so in more controlled conditions in the past. Even on a tightly tightly regulated test track in Tokyo, the sensation of the truck’s braking system taking over and applying 100 per cent braking just before the truck is about to hit a stationary object really does set the heart pounding. The pedestrian detection capability is another step forward in the autonomous emergency braking capability and it uses both the video data and the radar to evaluate the shape of an object in front of the truck and if it decides the object could be a human then it will, again, jam on the brakes. The video used by the PCS system is also used for the lane departure warning system which is also fitted as standard to this truck. It was not that many years ago that any of these highly sophisticated electronic safety systems would have been an expensive option on a top of the range heavy duty prime mover. Now, the world has changed and what would once have been an expensive option is now one of the systems ar being fitted into trucks on the Australian market, right across the range. The situation is such that even new

The Hino 300 Series 721, which is blessed with more power than is probably necessary.

market entrants, trying to break into the Australian truck market are finding that it is necessary to offer this level of safety equipment in order to be able to get a

Hino is leading the way in terms of integrated safety systems being fitted as standard on a truck.

foot in the door of many truck buyers. The speed at which these kind of technological developments are emerging means that truck manufacturers like Hino have to be constantly preparing for what is likely to happen in only a few years time. One of the tools which Hino will be able to use into the future for these kind of technological changes is the entertainment/telematics system now fitted in the trucks. Because it uses the android platform to run any apps on the system, new functionality can be added by loading a new app developed for android. At the end of what was a relatively uneventful trip along the Pacific Highway, this driver was left with the impression that this Hino 721 has been developed to give the brand a bit of extra kudos in the truck market. Simply putting a more powerful engine in the truck is not enough but coming up with a package which does the job so it drives so easily and in comfort does mean that Hino have got something going on here.

POWERTORQUE July/August 2021

d by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.

300 Series Standard Cab Online media coverage Big Rigs https://bigrigs.com.au/index.php/2020/10/28/safety-package-in-new-hino-300-is-the-clincher/ Drive/Car Advice https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/2020-hino-300-series-616-hybrid-review/ Fleet Auto News https://fleetautonews.com.au/fan-takes-the-all-new-hino-300-series-on-the-road/ https://fleetautonews.com.au/driving-the-hino-300-series-on-a-car-licence/ Mighty Machines/Tradetrucks.com.au https://www.tradetrucks.com.au/industry-news/2011/hino-hybrid-vs-electric-scooter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9FD9UXdkQs Overdrive https://www.anyauto.com.au/overdrive-podcast-radio-program-issue-2-2021/ https://www.anyauto.com.au/delivery-vans-and-trucks-is-this-the-biggest-shake-up-from-covid/ Owner Driver https://www.ownerdriver.com.au/product-news/2010/hino-beefs-up-300-series-built-to-go-range Power Torque https://powertorque.com.au/hino-release-the-new-300-series-light-duty-truck/ https://powertorque.com.au/hino-is-pushing-the-envelope/ https://powertorque.com.au/improvement-in-performance-for-the-new-hino-trucks/ https://powertorque.com.au/this-truck-is-a-bit-of-goer/ Prime Mover https://www.primemovermag.com.au/all-the-right-moves/ https://www.primemovermag.com.au/rescue-dawn/ https://www.primemovermag.com.au/torque-of-the-town/ Trucksales.com.au https://www.trucksales.com.au/editorial/details/hino-616-tradeace-a-tradies-joy-127939/ https://www.trucksales.com.au/editorial/details/trucksales-safety-award-2021-the-winner-128780/ https://www.trucksales.com.au/editorial/details/hino-300-series-721-crew-cab-review-126705/ https://www.trucksales.com.au/editorial/details/hino-300-series-616-hybrid-review-127224/ Transport Trucking Australia https://www.truckandbus.net.au/hino-expands-it-built-to-go-300-series-range/